Zipse: Book’em Danno shows sprint stardom at Saratoga

There may be a better sprinter somewhere out there, but I can’t think of one. Book’em Danno has gotten that good.

The New Jersey-bred gelding was at his sprinting best Saturday at Saratoga in the Grade 2, $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes, once again turning back a worthy rival.

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Poor Mullikin must feel like every lawbreaker who dared to tangle with detective captain Steve McGarrett, old or new, on the police drama “Hawaii Five-O.” The catchphrase “Book ’em, Danno” was never something they wanted to hear.

Having finished behind Book’em Danno in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) when both were beaten narrowly by Mindframe two starts back and then second behind him in the recent True North Stakes (G2) at Saratoga, Mullikin might have had enough of his adversary by now. But the two Grade 1 winners matched strides once again on Saturday.

Trained by Derek Ryan and ridden by Paco López, Book’em Danno broke a bit awkwardly at the start and bumped with his outside rival. While the speedy Damon’s Mound and Mullikin set sail for the early lead, the 7-5 race favorite stayed within striking distance down on the rail.

By the time Mullikin had wrestled the lead away from Damon’s Mound following solid opening fractions of 22.07 and 44.65 seconds, Book’em Danno adeptly swung to the outside and was ready to pounce at the head of the Saratoga lane.

The very good sprinter that he is, Mullikin did not give up without a fight, but it was just a matter of time before Book’em Danno would power on past the Vanderbilt’s second betting choice.

In what may well have been his most impressive victory to date, Book’em Danno finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of his rival while stopping the timer at 1:08.98 for the six furlongs over a racing surface that had not been yielding fast times.

Well on his way to becoming the New Jersey-bred horse of the year for the third time in a row, his next start likely will come in five weeks in the $500,000 Forego Stakes (G1) on the undercard of the Travers (G1). The seven-furlong, win-and-you’re-in race for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile was won last year by Mullikin.

Owned by the partners of Atlantic Six Racing, Book’em Danno was purchased privately from his breeders and was gelded before he made his first start, which turned into a 9 1/2-length victory in a Jersey-bred maiden race at Monmouth Park.

Bucchero, the sire of Book’em Danno, stands for only $10,000 at Ironhorse Stallions in New York. As a runner he was fast and durable, winning seven stakes races while excelling on both turf and dirt. Book’em Danno is the best horse yet for the 13-year-old stallion who ran twice in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

A multiple stakes winner in each of three seasons on the racetrack, Book’em Danno earned his ninth victory in 15 career starts while boosting his career bankroll to a hefty $1,580,425.

Saturday’s impressive Vanderbilt score was his third graded-stakes victory, joining the True North and the 2024 edition of the Woody Stephens (G1). His three biggest victories all have come at Saratoga.

A very good runner from his initial start back as a juvenile, Book’em Danno is only getting better with age. As a fully mature 4-year-old, the dark bay has become a sprinting force.

He twice stretched out to a mile last year, including a strong second to classy Forever Young overseas in the Saudi Derby (G3) and once as a 2-year-old. Sticking with his bread and butter of sprinting now at 4, Book’em Danno is at his best.

For my money, the New Jersey-bred gelding is the one they all will have to beat in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.