BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Making his first start since second in the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade 1) at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in November, Florida-bred Bentornato looked stronger than ever in winning the $267,500 Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes (Listed) against seven other 3-year-olds and older sprinting six furlongs at Churchill Downs Saturday. 

Bentornato and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. began quickly from post two but were overtaken by fellow millionaire Skelly on the outside for the run down the backstretch. Skelly put two lengths on Bentornato after blazing the first two furlongs in :21.90 but Ortiz remained steady in second with Durante and Florida-bred Roll on Big Joe giving chase in third and fourth. Ortiz took Bentornato to the outside and sent him at Skelly approaching the quarter pole and the two leaders turned for home in tandem while bumping briefly with three-sixteenths of a mile to the finish. 

Bentornato then overpowered Skelly in the final furlong to win by five-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Here Mi Song in second with Skelly a head farther back in third. Roll On Big Joe was fourth followed by Durante, Ajaayb, Banjo Chris and Little Ni. World Record and Full Moon Mandate were scratched.

Bentornato paid $5.56 to win and finished six furlongs in 1:08.43 on the fast track.

 

“Honestly he’s a really nice horse. The trainer did a great job getting him ready off the long layoff. I was worried about the layoff honestly,” Ortiz said on the Churchill Downs telecast to Joe Kristufek.

“[Bentornato] broke on top, then [D’Angelo] told me to give him a break and take him off a good pace and don’t go to fast and save something for the end,” Ortiz continued. “And then the horse was there for me every step of the way honestly. I could have slowed him down [but] he put me in a good position and I bided my time and decided if I was going to inside or outside. When I decided to go outside of [Skelly], the horse responded really well.

 Trained by Jose D’Angelo for Leon King Stable Corp., the stable name of Angel Lorenzo of Miami, Fla, Bentornato improved his record to six wins with two seconds and two thirds in 10 starts. The $150,350 first-place check increased his career earnings to $1,282,180.

“Irad gave him a spectacular ride,” D’Angelo said. “We don’t need to stay on the lead for this race and I just wanted to give him some nice condition for the Breeders’ Cup.”

Asked if the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) at Keeneland on Oct. 3 was next for Bentornato, D’Angelo said he was unsure.

“First we have to see how he comes out of the race,” D’Angelo said. “But he’s the kind of horse that you can prep and point for one race. He doesn’t need to run [a lot of] races in between. So, let’s see how he’s training and how he [comes out of this race] and we’ll make plans.”

Last year, Bentornato went into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar after two races off a six-month layoff. After finishing third in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh in February, he returned to finished second to Valentine Candy in the $500,000 Rita Hilton Memorial at Charles Town Races on Aug. 23. He then won the Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx Racing on Sept. 21 before heading the Southern California for the Breeders’ Cup. Bentornato led the Sprint in deep stretch at odds of 28-1 before eventual winner Straight No Chaser caught him late to win by a half-length.

Bentornato was named the 2023 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old male by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association after winning the $90,000 Proud Man, the $100,000 Dr. Fager and the $200,000 Affirmed divisions of the FTOBA Florida Sire Stakes, all at Gulfstream Park.

He was also named the 2024 Florida-bred champion 3-year-old colt or gelding by the FTBOA.

Bentornato is by Bridlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister out of Her Special Way, by Put It Back and was bred in Florida by Tanma Corp. He Special Way has two winners from three starters and six foals with Bentornato her only stakes winner. She has an unraced 3-year-old colt, Deuxieme Chance, by Valiant Minister; an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Saketini; and an unnamed weanling filly by Oscar Performance. She was bred to Girvin in 2025.

Bentornato is a two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales having been purchased by Champion Equine for $170,000 out of the Golden Rock Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2023 March Sale of 2-year-olds in training. At the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale, Pro Racing Stable bought him for $45,000 out of the consignment of Stuart Morris.

Bentornato is the 57th Florida-bred winner of an open stakes race in 2025.

Return to the September 13 issue of Wire to Wire