Book’em Danno says ‘aloha’ to his rivals in G2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt

Atlantic Six Racing’s Book’em Danno picked up his third graded score at Saratoga Race Course with an emphatic 2 1/2-length victory over familiar foe Mullikin in the Grade 2, $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt, a six-furlong sprint for older horses.

Trained by Derek Ryan and piloted by Paco Lopez, the 4-year-old Bucchero gelding replicated a winning effort here last month when 1 1/4-lengths the better of Mullikin in sloppy and sealed conditions in the Grade 3 True North. He also added to a strong Spa ledger that includes a win in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens presented by Mohegan Sun and a troubled third in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial here last year.

“Well, he won very good, the last time he won at Saratoga, I was pretty sure that horse loves Saratoga,” said Lopez, who captured the Grade 3 Caress earlier on the card with Future Is Now. “He really, really likes that track and this is a very nice horse. Derek Ryan has done a very good job for that horse.”

The Junior Alvarado-piloted Damon’s Mound went to the lead from the inside post and marked the opening quarter-mile in 22.07 seconds over the fast main track with Mullikin to his outside.

Book’em Danno, after a slight bobble at the break, saved ground as part of a trio of tracking rivals in Baby Yoda and Nakatomi as Mullikin edged to the lead into the turn. Book’em Danno advanced up the rail through the turn and angled to the outside of Mullikin for the stretch run after a half-mile in 44.65.

The Jose Ortiz-piloted Mullikin battled gamely from the top of the lane, but Book’em Danno took over inside the final furlong and stopped the clock in a final time of 1:08.98. It was 3 3/4-lengths back to Nakatomi in third with Damon’s Mound, Baby Yoda and Nash completing the order of finish. Skelly and Full Moon Madness were scratched.

“I think that was one of his best efforts so far. He came into the race great,” Ryan said. “Paco worked him out last Sunday, I put a little bit more speed into him, just to be a little closer, like he was. I had 100 percent confidence coming in. I wasn't afraid of anybody, but at the same time, it is Saratoga and anything can happen. 

"He's 4-for-4 now going six [furlongs],” added Ryan. “He rides him so good, he gets him to the outside, and that is key. That's the way he likes to be ridden. He likes to see the target on his inside. When's he's inside, he's always getting late on him, but that was perfect, and they ran pretty fast.”

Lopez said he had a perfect trip.

“I thought he broke a little off the pace, little lazy for a speed horse, but after like 20 yards he took in the pace,” Lopez said. “He ran very well today from behind the horses. I had a little tight room at the three and a half, took him out, when I took him out, he ran good and he just rolled that horse [Mullikin] inside the eighth pole.”

Ortiz, aboard the Rodolphe Brisset-trained Grade 1-winner Mullikin, could only tip his cap to the winner.

“He is a nice horse, and obviously Book’em Danno is a nice horse, too,” Ortiz said. “They threw it down and he [Book’em Danno] came out on top. I think it was a very good race. The trip was perfect, it was right where I wanted to be.”

Book’em Danno, a repeat winner as New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year for 2023-24, is now a seven-time stakes winner. He is out of the unraced Ghostzapper mare Adorabella, who also produced dual stakes-winner Girl Trouble.

Ryan indicated Book’em Danno could return to the Spa for the seven-furlong Grade 1, $500,000 Forego on August 23, which offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November at Del Mar. Mullikin was an emphatic winner of last year's Forego.

"That is the obvious, legitimate spot,” Ryan said. “So, right now I'd say the Forego because really there is nothing else, but you never know, there is a Jersey-bred stakes we might throw him in there, too [laughs]. I think it is on the same day too actually, you never know." 

Book’em Danno banked $220,000 in victory while improving his record to 15-9-3-1. He returned $4.80 for a $2 win bet as the 7-5 mutuel favorite.

Live racing resumes Sunday at Saratoga with a 10-race card featuring the Grade 2, $200,000 Honorable Miss in Race 9. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.  

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