Atlantic Six Racing’s Book’em Danno, who has emerged as one of the top 3-year-old sprinters in the land, tested out the main track at Keeneland Wednesday morning after arriving the day before from trainer Derek Ryan’s base at Monmouth Park.
“He’s doing great; hopefully he gets the job done,” Ryan said of Saturday’s $300,000 Perryville (G3) going 7 furlongs for 3-year-olds.
Book’em Danno has gotten the job done at every stop he has made in 2024, beginning with a 12½-length romp in the 7-furlong Pasco at Tampa Bay Downs in January.
From Tampa, Ryan took Book’em Danno to Saudi Arabia for the 1-mile Saudi Derby (G3) in which the New Jersey-bred son of Bucchero was caught in the final strides by the then-undefeated Forever Young (JPN), who now looms as one of the prime contenders for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 2.
Returning to the States, Book’em Danno won the Woody Stephens (G1) at Saratoga going 7 furlongs, then added the Jersey Shore at Monmouth to his resume before a third-place finish in the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 24.
“I thought he should have won the Jerkens,” Ryan said of Book’em Danno, who finished 1¼ lengths behind Domestic Product. “If he gets to the outside, he wins. The rail that day was dead.”
Ryan said the Perryville was the target for Book’em Danno after the Jerkens and said even though the field features a couple of runners from the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve, “I’m not worried about any of them.”
Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard for the Saudi Derby and Woody Stephens, has the mount Saturday.