BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Florida-bred Buccherino has been to four different tracks in making his seven career starts and returns to Monmouth Park Friday for the $100,000 Jersey Shore against five other 3-year-olds going six furlongs.

In his most recent stop at Monmouth last year in September, Buccherino finished fifth in the $129,000 Smoke Glacken behind winner Book ‘em Danno, also at six furlongs.

The Alfredo Velazquez-trained son of Bucchero will again face Book ‘em Danno, who is the expected favorite in the Jersey Shore for trainer Derek Ryan.

Buccherino makes his third start of the year after beginning with a six-and-a-quarter-length victory in a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming going six-and-a-half furlongs at Parx on March 25. He has since finished third in the $150,000 Gold Fever won by Doncho during the Belmont at Big A meet over a good and sealed six furlongs on May 5.

Buccherino has won three of his seven career starts with a second and a third while earning $131,900 for owner Happy Tenth Stable. He is out of Bellimbuso, by Double Diamond Farm stallion First Dude and was bred in Florida by Blue River Bloodstock.

Paco Lopez has the mount on Buccherino and they have post four.

Book ‘em Danno, another son of Bucchero, makes his first start since winning the Grade 1 Woody Stephens going seven furlongs at Saratoga on June 8.

Owned by Atlantic Six Racing LLC, Book ‘em Danno won the $50,000 Pasco at Tampa Bay Downs to start the year in January before traveling to King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh to finish second to Forever Young in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) on Feb. 24.

Book ‘em Danno has won five of seven career starts with two seconds while earning $835,625. He is out of Adorable, by Ghostzapper and will be ridden from post three by Samuel Marin.

Trying to keep his undefeated record intact will be Little Ni, who has won all three of his career races.

Little Ni broke his maiden by more than six lengths at Delaware Park in October then returned this year to win a first condition, $16,000 optional claiming going six furlongs at Monmouth on May 11. Last out on June 9, the son of Mohaymen won a second condition, $25,000 optional claiming by nearly seven lengths, again going six furlongs at Monmouth Park.

Little Ni is trained by E. Owens Jr. for Jersey Pride Billy Belford and Boardwalk Racing. He will be ridden by Jairo Rendon from post six.

Completing the field are Jasper’s Pride with Jomar Torres scheduled to ride, Propietary Trade and jockey Samy Camacho and Let’s Go Mark will have Fernando Jara aboard.

Return to the July 17 issue of Wire to Wire