BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Recently crowned millionaire Bentornato has returned to Southern California from his base at trainer Jose D’Angelo’s barn at Palm Meadows to challenge 2024 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1)-winner Mystik Dan in the Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita Park Thursday. The seven-furlong Malibu offers a purse of $300,000 to the eight 3-year-olds entered.
Owned by Angel Lozano’s Leon King Stable Corp. of Miami, Bentornato became the 184th Florida-bred to surpass the seven-figure mark in career earnings with a second-place finish to Straight No Chaser in the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) going six furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 2 after leading in deep stretch.
He comes into the race sharp after breezing five furlongs in :58.60 at Santa Anita Thursday, the fastest among 40 works at the distance that morning. That was his second bullet work since the Breeders’ Cup having clocked four furlongs in :47 at Palm Meadows on Dec. 2, the fastest of 10 times recorded at the distance.
He has produced triple digit Beyer Speed Figures in his last two starts with a 102 earned in the Breeders’ Cup and a 101 in winning the Grade 2 Gallant Bob going six furlongs at Parx Racing on Sept. 21.
The extra furlong in the Malibu shouldn’t be a problem for the son of Bridlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister as he was assigned a 99 Beyer prior to the Gallant Bob when second to Valentine Candy in the $500,000 Rita Hilton Memorial going seven panels at Charles Town Races on Aug. 23. He also won last year’s $200,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Affirmed by three lengths going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park.
Bentornato has been a model of consistency throughout his career with five wins, two seconds and two thirds in nine starts while banking $1,131,830. His two third-place finishes came at farther distances in last year’s $300,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes In Reality won by Seminole Chief at a mile-and-a-sixteenth and in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) going a one-turn mile at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh in February.
Bred in Florida by Tanma Corp., Bentornato is out of Her Special Way, by Put It Back.
He is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales having first sold for $45,000 to Pro Racing Stable at the 2022 October Yearling Sale where he was consigned by Stuart Morris. He then sold to Champion Equine for $170,000 out of the Golden Rock Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2023 March Sale.
Luis Saez, who rode the dark bay or brown ridgling for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup, returns to ride and will break from the rail in post one.
A nose winner ahead of Sierra Leone in the Kentucky Derby in May, Mystik Dan will make his first start since June when he finished eighth in the mile-and-a-quarter Belmont Stakes (G1) won by Dornoch at Saratoga Race Course. Between the Derby and Belmont, the bay son of Goldencents was second to Seize the Grey in the Preakness (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.
Mystik Dan is trained by Ken McPeek for Four G Racing LLC, Valley View Farms LLC, Lance Gasaway and Daniel Hamby III and looks to add to his career bankroll of $4,161,360. He has won three, including an eight-length romp in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn Park in February, with two seconds and a third in nine career starts. His last trip around one turn came in a first level, $100,000 optional claiming going a mile at Churchill Downs in November of 2023 when he finished fifth to winner Who Dey.
Mystik Dan has post six and regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. will get the mount.
Rounding out the field are Pilot Commander with jockey Juan Hernandez, John Velazquez will ride Winterfell, Senior Office has Flavien Prat named to ride, Imagination will have Joel Rosario aboard, Stronghold and jockey Antonio Fresu and Raging Torrent will be ridden by Frankie Dettori.
