Bentornato too speedy in Breeders' Cup Sprint

Bentornato might have had the slimmest of preparations for Saturday's $1.84 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, but it didn't show as the public choice proved too fast for his 13 rivals.

Runner-up by a half-length to Straight No Chaser as a 28-1 shot in last year's Sprint, Bentornato had only raced once in the interim. But it was a dominating effort at Churchill Downs on Sept. 13, as Bentornato won the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. by more than five lengths.

Bettors expected a repeat of that performance on Saturday, and got it. Although ahead by only a half-length through fractions of :21.48 and :44.14, Bentornato quickly shook off the other speed and extended his margin through the stretch to win by 2 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:08.20 for six furlongs over a fast track.

It was the second consecutive Breeders' Cup win on the day for trainer Jose D'Angelo and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who teamed up to capture the Turf Sprint (G1) with Shisospicy.

"We were so positive on the horse. All we wanted was a clean break, and after that, I let him be, let him be him," Ortiz said.

Owned by King Stable and Michael and Julia Iavarone, Bentornato returned $5.40 as the 17-10 favorite.

Imagination finished second by a nose over Dr. Venkman, who was followed by American Stage, Kopion, Lovesick Blues, Straight No Chaser, Big City Lights, Nakatomi, Mullikin, Whatchatalkinabout, Banishing, Patriot Spirit, and Mad House.

A four-year-old ridgling son of Valiant Minister and the Put It Back mare Her Special Way, Bentornato was bred in Florida. He was a three-time stakes winner at two, taking the Proud Man S. as well as the Dr. Fager and Affirmed divisions of the Florida Stallion S.

After finishing a distant third in the Saudi Derby (G3) behind Forever Young and Book'em Danno, Bentornato shortened up for the remainder of an abbreviated three-year-old campaign. His lone win, prior to his second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, was by a neck in the Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx.

Bentornato, a winner in seven of 11 starts, has easily outrun his modest pedigree. And now nearly all of the fleetest sprinters in America. 

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