Bentornato will skip Swale in favor of Saudi Derby

Florida Sire Stakes winner Bentornato, a winner of three stakes races and four of five starts, will make his next start Feb. 24 in the Grade 3, $1.5 million Saudi Derby, according to trainer Jose D’Angelo.

D’Angelo will scratch Bentornato from Saturday’s $125,000 Swale at seven furlongs.

“It’s a great opportunity,” D’Angelo said of the Saudi Derby. “It’s also a one-turn mile, and that’s another reason.”

Bentornato won his first four starts, including the Dr. Fager and Affirmed divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes and the Proud Man. He finished third, beaten a length, Dec. 2 in the two-turn In Reality division of the Sire Stakes.

Purchased as a 2-year-old for $170,000 for Leon King Stable, Bentornato has earned $311,830.

D’Angelo also said he likely will scratch No More Time from Saturday’s Holy Bull (G3) in favor of a race at Tampa.