BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Leon King Stable Corp’s Florida-bred Bentornato, a winner of three stakes races and four of five starts, will make his next start Feb. 24 in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, according to trainer Jose D’Angelo.

D’Angelo will scratch Bentornato from Saturday’s $125,000 Swale at seven furlongs.

“It’s a great opportunity,” D’Angelo said of the Saudi Derby. “It’s also a one turn mile, and that’s another reason.”

Bentornato won his first four starts, including the $100,000 Dr. Fager and $200,000 Affirmed divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes and the $90,000 Proud Man. He finished third, beaten a length, Dec. 2 in the two-turn In Reality division of the Sire Stakes won by Florida-bred Seminole Chief.

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.

D’Angelo also said he would likely scratch No More Time from Saturday’s Grade 3 Holy Bull in favor of a race at Tampa.

Who’s Hot: Trainer Chad Brown doubled with Delahaye ($3.80) in the fifth race and Tuscan Gold ($5.20) in race seven.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. doubled aboard A Palace for Mom ($2.20) in the first race and Henley’s Joy ($12) in the eighth race. Jose Ortiz also doubled, scoring aboard Cacique Abarrio ($12.40) in the second race and Florida-bred Adios Now ($5.40) in race nine.

Return to the Jan. 31 issue of Wire to Wire