Trainer Derek Ryan has decided to keep Book’em Danno in the U.S. for his next start, ruling out the Group 2, $1 million Godolphin Mile in Dubai on April 5. Ryan believes it is too quick of a turnaround and wants to wait to see where the horse will go next, mentioning potential races at Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Monmouth Park, or Saratoga. He wants to do what is best for the horse and ensure that the six owners in Atlantic Six Racing can enjoy him in plenty of races throughout the summer.
Book’em Danno made an impressive seasonal debut in the Boston Handicap at Colonial Downs, winning by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Paco Lopez. Despite the small field, Ryan was pleased with the effort, noting that both horses he defeated were stakes winners. The 4-year-old gelding has now won 7 of his 12 career starts and has career earnings of $1,098,125. He followed up his Pasco victory at Tampa Bay Downs last winter with a second-place finish in the Saudi Derby in Riyadh.
Book’em Danno, a son of Bucchero out of a Ghostzapper mare, has had a successful career so far, with notable wins in the Woody Stephens at Saratoga and the Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth. Despite a fifth-place finish in the Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct in his final start as a 3-year-old, Book’em Danno has shown his talent on the track and will continue to compete in top races in the U.S. throughout the summer.
