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| Staff Writer |
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Book'em Danno is being aimed at the US$500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct, with trainer Derek Ryan viewing the December 7 contest as a crucial steppingstone towards Saudi Arabia's premier dirt races in February.
The progressive gelding, by Bucchero, has already scratched from this weekend's Steel Valley Sprint at Mahoning Valley, with connections having bigger targets in their crosshairs.
Ryan is weighing up options between the six-furlong Riyadh Dirt Sprint and the US$20 million Saudi Cup over nine furlongs at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on February 22.
"This was always the plan, so then we will figure out what we'll do for next year. Well basically, I'm trying to figure out what race he will run in Saudi Arabia, and this will make the decision a lot easier," said Ryan.
The Atlantic Six Racing-owned 3YO secured his biggest success when landing the Gr.1 Woody Stephens over seven furlongs during June's Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga, adding to an already impressive resume.
Previous Cigar Mile winners include Zandon, who went on to land the Gr.1 Whitney Stakes, while Mind Control captured this race in 2022 before adding the Gr.1 Forego Stakes to his collection.
Book'em Danno's stamina credentials received a boost when finishing a head second to Forever Young in February's Gr.3 Saudi Derby over the mile, a run that particularly caught his trainer's eye.
"I don't think he should've gotten beat to tell you the truth. That horse was so far back. He's getting a little older and starting to drop back himself. So I think his style is changing and most of mine usually come from off the pace anyways," said Ryan.
The trainer added: "The big one is US$20 million. It is a lot of money and they pay all the way down to eight a lot of money. You've got to be invited. He is invited for the sprint, but if he runs good in this one, they'll invite him for the big one—it is basically an audition."
A neck second in Keeneland's Gr.3 Perryville last month maintains the gelding's consistent profile, having amassed US$1,018,125 in prize-money from ten starts, winning six and placing in four others.