BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Bentornato avenged his second-place finish in last year’s Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade 1) by dominating his rivals in Saturday’s edition at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, leading the $2 million Sprint from gate-to-wire to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

The Florida-bred ridgling son of Bridlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister defeated 13 other 3-year-olds and older going six furlongs, becoming the sixth Florida-bred winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint following Eillo in 1984, Precisionist (1985), Smile (1986), Cherokee Run (1994) and Big Drama (2010).

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. had Bentornato promptly breaking from post 10, jumping to the early lead with American Stage second to his inside. Bentornato took pressure from American Stage on the rail and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint-winner Straight No Chaser to his outside through a quarter mile in a rapid :21.48 but began to slip away around the turn. Straight No Chaser tried to keep up turning for home after a :44.14 half mile as American Stage dropped back then Bentornato darted off in the stretch to lead by two lengths at the furlong marker. He increased his lead while cruising under the wire, finishing in 1:08.20 on the fast track.

Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2)-winner Imagination was second, a nose faster than Dr. Venkman in third. They were followed in order by American Stage, Kopion, Lovesick Blues, Straight No Chaser, Nakatomi, Mullikin, Whatchtalkinabout, Banishing, Patriot Spirit and Florida-bred Mad House.

 

“We were so positive on the horse. All we wanted was a clean break and after that, I let him be, let him be him,” Ortiz said. “He can use that speed, natural speed. I had Straight No Chaser right beside me. [Bentronato] was in that order as a 3-year-old last year and he just got beat by a head by [Straight No Chaser]. So, I just tried to ride him with confidence. I was working my horse since the summer. I know I was going to have some horse at the end.”

Trained by Jose D’Angelo for Leon King Stable Corp and Michael and Julia C. Iavarone, Bentornato paid $5.40 to win as the 8-5 favorite. The Iavarone’s paid $1 million for a 25% share in Bentornato Wednesday night at the Keeneland Championship Sales held in the Del Mar Paddock. Leon King Stable Corp is the nom de course of Angel Lozano of Miami, Fla.

The victory completed a consecutive race sweep for D’Angelo and Ortiz, who won the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) 40 minutes before with Shisospicy.

“So happy to stand here again,” D’Angelo said. “We prepared these two horses all year round to have them ready for today and it worked perfectly.

“We think about all the small details, like the travel and everything. They figured it out and they showed up today. I am just grateful to God to stand here. Can you believe that you really won two races in a row here: “I think I don’t know what is going on now, but probably today, we will know. But in two days, we’re working again.”

Bentornato entered off just one race since last year’s Breeders’ Cup, but it was a dynamic, five-and-a-quarter-length score in the $267,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes (Listed) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 13, finishing six furlongs in 1:08.43.

In winning his first Grade 1, the 4-year-old bay earned $1,040,000 to push his career bankroll to $2,322,180 from seven wins in 11 starts with two seconds and two thirds. Among his previous triumphs are the Grade 2 Gallant Bob at Parx Racing last year; and in 2023, the $90,000 Proud Man in his second career start followed by victories the $100,000 Dr. Fager and $200,000 Affirmed, the first two legs of the 2023 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes.

Along with the $340,000 earned in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Bentornato now has $1,380,000 in Breeders’ Cup earnings, placing in fourth on the all-time list of Florida-breds behind Mucho Macho Man with $3,650,000 in Breeders’ Cup income, Skip Away with $2,288,000 and Little Mike at $1,620,000.

Bred in Florida by Tanma Corp., Bentornato is out of Her Special Way, by Put It Back. Her Special Way has had six foals with two winners from four starters. Bentornato is her only stakes winner. She has an unnamed Florida-bred 2-year-old filly by Saketini bred by Audrea Dyer; and an unnamed weanling filly by Oscar Performance. She was bred to Curlin in 2025. 

Bentornato is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company. Stuart Morris sold him for $45,000 to Pro Racing Stable at the 2022 October Yearling Sale and Golden Rock Thoroughbreds consignment to the 2023 March Sale of 2-year-olds in training where Champion Equine purchased him for $170,000.

Bentornato is the 21st Florida-bred graded stakes winner and second Florida-bred Grade 1 winner in 2025. There have been 76 Florida-bred open stakes winners following Saturday’s races. 

2025 Breeders’ Cup Florida-bred Contenders

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