Bentornato (Ryan Thompson)
David Joseph/Gulfstream Park
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.— Leon King Stable Corp’s Florida Sire Stakes winner 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, according to trainer Jose Francisco D’Angelo.
D’Angelo will scratch Bentornato from Saturday’s $125,000 Swale at seven furlongs.
“It’s a great opportunity,” said D’Angelo of the Saudi Derby. “It’s also a one turn mile, and that’s another reason.”
Bentornato won his first four starts, including the Dr. Fager and Affirmed divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes and the Proud Man. He finished third, beaten a length, Dec. 2 in the two-turn In Reality division of the Sire Stakes.
D’Angelo also said he would likely scratch No More Time from Saturday’s Holy Bull (G3) in favor of a race at Tampa.
