BY BROCK SHERIDAN

According to several reports, Leon King Stable’s Florida-bred star Bentornato was scratched from Thursday’s Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita due to soreness in the left front foot.

The millionaire son of Bridlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister was the 3-1 second choice in the field of eight 3-year-olds headed by 5-2 program favorite Mystik Dan, winner of the 2024 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1).

Trained by Jose D’Angelo, Bentornato was most recently second to Straight No Chaser in the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 2 after winning the Grade 2 Gallant Bob at Parx Racing on September.

According to a report in Blood-Horse, D’Angeo believes to the foot injury to be minor.

Return to the December 26 issue of Wire to Wire