BY KEENELAND PRESS OFFICE (Edited)
Keeneland has announced that a 25% ownership interest in Florida-bred Bentornato, a leading candidate for the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade 1) and earner of more than $1.2 million, will be offered at the second edition of the Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held in the Del Mar Paddock on Wednesday, Oct. 29, two days before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
“The 25% stake in Bentornato is a unique opportunity for someone to buy into a Breeders’ Cup contender and immediately have action on one of grandest stages for Thoroughbred racing anywhere in the world,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “This is the type of innovative offering that characterizes the Championship Sale, which invites creativity to connect buyers with elite occasions.”
A 4-year-old son of Bridlewood Farm stallion Valiant Minister, Bentornato is set to return to the Sprint after a gallant runner-up performance in last year’s edition in which he grabbed command in midstretch before being overtaken in the closing yards by winner Straight No Chaser.
Bentornato, who scored a five-and-a-quarter-length victory in the $267,500 Louisville Thoroughbred Society (Listed) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 13, has never finished worse than third in a 10-race career that includes six victories for trainer Jose D’Angelo. He won his first four career starts, all at Gulfstream Park, including the $100,000 Dr. Fager and $200,000 Affirmed, the first two legs of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes.
“The consistency of his performances alongside his obvious talent makes him a hard to come by individual and just a privilege to train,” D’Angelo said. “I thought the way he came back at Churchill after a longer layoff was very impressive and he just proved his class yet again. I feel like he’s at the peak of his career this far, and I expect him to continue that into his 5-year-old campaign.”
Last year, Bentornato launched his 3-year-old campaign in the Boutique Group Saudi Derby (G3) in February and was a courageous third behind the victorious Forever Young (Jpn). Bentornato was then second in the $500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial (Listed) at Charles Town Races in August and stepped up to win the Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx Racing pm Sept. 21 as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup.
Bentornato is owned by Leon King Stable Corp. and was bred in Florida by Tanma Corp.
Return to the October 7 issue of Wire to Wire
