Book’em Danno, the even-money favorite for today’s $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, was scratched hours before the race after he “cast " himself in his stall, according to trainer Derek Ryan.
When a horse gets cast, it becomes trapped lying on its side too close to a wall or stall, making it unable to get its legs underneath to stand up.
“He was bouncing around here (stall) going crazy yesterday, and he must have got cast in his stall last night,” Ryan told drf.com. “I don’t think it’s anything major. Likely if he was in tomorrow, he’d be 100 percent, but he’s not 100 percent today.”
Book’em Danno has won 12 of 19 races during his career, including the 2025 Forego on his way to a championship. Ryan said Book’em Danno would be returned to Monmouth Park and prepare for the Vosburgh Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park on Sept. 26.
Banishing, who finished second in the $1 million Charles Town Classic on Friday night in West Virginia, had been cross-entered to the Forego, but trainer David Jacobson opted to run last night. Willy D’s ($16.40) was the winner.
The Forego field is down to six starters.
The 10-horse field for the 1 ¼-mile Travers Stakes (G1) is set, with Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo the early favorite and Jum Dandy Stakes (G2) winner Renegade the second early choice. Post time for the Travers is 6:35 p.m. ET.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerging Market (KY) | R Santana, Jr. | C C Brown | 15/1 |
| 2 | Leading Change (KY) | M Franco | B H Cox | 12/1 |
| 3 | Napoleon Solo (KY) | J R Velazquez | C Summers | 8/1 |
| 4 | The Puma (KY) | J Castellano | G Delgado | 8/1 |
| 5 | Renegade (KY) | T Gaffalione | T A Pletcher | 3/1 |
| 6 | Ocelli (KY) | E J Zayas | D Beckman | 20/1 |
| 7 | Sea Strike (KY) | F Prat | C C Brown | 5/1 |
| 8 | Baby Vino (KY) | P Lopez | L Schultz | 10/1 |
| 9 | Golden Tempo (KY) | J L Ortiz | C DeVaux | 5/2 |
| 10 | Silent Tactic (KY) | L Saez | M E Casse | 10/1 |
The weather forecast for Saratoga Springs calls for mostly sunny skies, temperatures in the 70s, and no chance of rain.
Solitude Dude ($500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial); Oscar Bound ($400,000 Lake Placid Stakes); and Usha and Grammy Girl ($500,000 Ballerina Stakes).
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.
