Book’em Danno has made Saratoga Race Course something of a second home, and the reigning Champion Male Sprinter will try to add another Spa victory Saturday when he defends his title in the $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1).
The 7-furlong Forego for 3-year-olds and up drew a field of eight and offers the winner an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
Book’em Danno, the even-money favorite, has won five of six starts at Saratoga, including three graded stakes last year. He captured the True North (G3) and Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2) before completing the hat trick with a one-length victory in the Forego.
His Saratoga résumé also includes the 2024 Woody Stephens (G1) win, a third in that year’s H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1), and a successful defense of his True North title in June.
“He’s an unbelievable horse. Hopefully, he can keep going,” trainer Derek Ryan said.
The 5-year-old New Jersey-bred gelding comes into the Forego off a 1 1/4-length victory over Quint’s Brew in the Mr. Prospector at Monmouth Park on July 17. Earlier this year, he missed by a neck to Point Dume in the Carter Stakes (G2).
Ryan said Book’em Danno has been training exceptionally well at Monmouth, including a bullet 5 furlongs in 1:00.60 on Aug. 14, and a 3-furlong breeze from the gate on Aug. 22 in 37.00.
“He’s good to go,” said Ryan, adding that the Forego would be Book’em Danno’s final start prior to the Breeders’ Cup. The horse, whose name comes from the famous Hawaii Five-O catchphrase, has won 12 of 19 starts and more than $2.2 million.
Paco Lopez, who has won six of eight starts aboard Book’em Danno, has the mount from post 5.
“If he gets into a dogfight down the lane, he’s tough as nails,” Ryan said.
Senior Officer, the 7-2 second choice for trainer Brad Cox, steps into stakes company for the first time while seeking his fourth consecutive victory. The lightly raced 5-year-old has won three straight since April, including two Saratoga optional claimers. Most recently, Senior Officer stalked the pace before edging Tip Top Thomas by a neck going 7 furlongs July 26.
Tip Top Thomas, 5-1 for trainer Todd Pletcher, will try to turn the tables Saturday. Making his first start of the year in that race, he took command in the stretch before being caught late.
“I thought it was a good comeback,” Pletcher said. “He ran too good to lose, but I think a little extra distance with the seven furlongs will suit him.”
Bring the Smoke, 10-1, also exits that July 26 race. The Whit Beckman trainee stumbled at the start and encountered trouble before rallying to finish fourth, 1 1/4 lengths behind Senior Officer. The Maryland Sprint (G3) winner has three victories from six starts.
Hymn, 12-1, enters off a runner-up finish in the Vanderbilt for trainer Ron Moquett, while Crazy Mason, also 12-1, was third in last year’s Forego and owns a Grade 2 victory in the Carter.
Completing the field are T Kraft at 20-1 and multiple graded stakes winner Banishing at 10-1. Banishing is also entered in Friday’s Charles Town Classic (G2).
The Forego is race 11 on Saturday’s 14-race Travers Day card. Post time is 5:11 p.m. ET.
The Field for the $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds:
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tip Top Thomas (KY) | F Prat | T A Pletcher | 5/1 |
| 2 | Hymn (KY) | R Santana, Jr. | R Moquett | 12/1 |
| 3 | T Kraft (KY) | J Alvarado | W I Mott | 20/1 |
| 4 | Crazy Mason (KY) | M Franco | G D Sacco | 12/1 |
| 5 | Book'em Danno (NJ) | P Lopez | D S Ryan | SCR |
| 6 | Senior Officer (MD) | L Saez | B H Cox | 7/2 |
| 7 | Banishing (KY) | T Gaffalione | D Jacobson | SCR |
| 8 | Bring the Smoke (KY) | J L Ortiz | D Beckman | 10/1 |
Jenny Kellner is an award-winning journalist and teacher who has covered thoroughbred racing for years. As a reporter for both United Press International and The Associated Press, her work has appeared in publications and on websites around the world. Jenny has also written for The New York Times, the New York Post, Newsday and Sports Illustrated.
