BC Sprint Berth Would Be An 'Honor' For 'Bigger, Stronger, Faster' Book'em Danno

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Atlantic Six Racing's Book'em Danno (Bucchero) has emerged from his career-best effort in a Grade I-quality renewal of the GII A. G. Vanderbilt Stakes on July 19 in good order, and connections are currently mulling over their options as they chart a course for the back end of the gelding's 4-year-old season.

In posting a lofty 111 Beyer Speed Figure, the New Jersey-bred was taking his career record to 9-3-1 from 15 starts and his $220,000 paycheck over the weekend lifted his earnings to $1,580,425

“You always hope these horses get better as they get older and he's bigger, stronger and faster, if that's possible,” said Atlantic Six Racing's Jay Briscione, who missed the Vanderbilt owing to his son's wedding. “He's just a professional. I was at the barn the morning after and saw Paco Lopez and he said he just goes about his business, puts his game face on and does his job.”

Having won the GI Woody Stephens Stakes at the Spa last summer and the GIII True North Stakes during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival last month, the next logical spot for Book'em Danno comes in Saratoga's GI Forego Stakes on Aug. 23, a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. It is the Sprint on championship weekend that the Atlantic Six partners are eyeing up as a possible target beyond the Forego.

“We've always taken the 'one-race-at-a-time' approach, so we'll see how he comes out of [the Vanderbilt] and how he responds and then we'll look at our options,” Briscione said. “Obviously he seems to love it at Saratoga just as much as people do. We've always said he was a smart horse, so he's showing that. He loves it up there, we love it up there, so if it works out, that's probably where we'll be heading.

“The Forego would be the logical target and though the Breeders' Cup is a long way off, if we're fortunate enough to be healthy and in the same sort of form he's been in, it would certainly be an honor for us to be considered and participate in that kind of event.”

Briscione also mentioned the GIII Vosburgh Stakes at Aqueduct on Sept. 27 as a possible alternative. That seven-furlong contest is a Breeders' Cup Challenge race for the Sprint.

For now, Briscione, Atlantic Six and trainer Derek Ryan are continuing to enjoy every minute of the journey with Book'em Danno.

“I keep pinching myself that we've been blessed with these opportunities with this horse, it's just been so special,” Briscione said.

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