Leon King Stable's Bentornato (Valiant Minister) put in a half-mile breeze Saturday ahead of an expected next start in the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Working under regular pilot Irad Ortiz Jr., last year's Sprint runner up went in :50.80.
Bentornato will also be a part of the Keeneland Championship Sale held just prior to the Breeders' Cup, with a 25% ownership interest on offer Oct. 29 at Del Mar. Trainer Jose D'Angelo noted that Bentornato's past and future racing schedule will appeal to buyers at the Championship Sale.
“It is a unique opportunity to become a partner,” D'Angelo told Keeneland. “This year we gave him time off to mature and grow. He is fresh and a good candidate to win the Breeders' Cup Sprint. And he will be fresh if we decide to go to the $20 million G1 Saudi Cup.”
D'Angelo was pleased with Bentornato's activity Saturday morning.
“The work was good with a strong gallop out like we had talked about,” he added. “He started slow and relaxed like he did in his last race (when he won the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs Sept. 13.)
Rather than sending Bentornato back to his Florida base, D'Angelo opted to keep him in Kentucky to take advantage of the cooler weather and train at Keeneland. He will ship to Del Mar Oct. 27 ahead of the Championship Sale.
“We thought the (cool) weather would help him instead of going straight to California or back to (my base) in Florida,” he said.
On the West Coast, both Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach) and Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) returned to the work tab Saturday after finishing one-two in the 'Win And You're In' GI Goodwood Stakes Sept. 27 at Santa Anita.
Nevada Beach is preparing for a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 1 at Del Mar and worked five furlongs in 1:01 (17/35) for trainer Bob Baffert.
Full Serrano worked four furlongs in :48.40 (15/57) for trainer John Sadler. The 6-year-old is expected to try and defend his title in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
Also working Saturday towards Breeders' Cup starts for Baffert were Seismic Beauty (Uncle Mo) (Distaff) and Hope Road (Quality Road) (Filly & Mare Sprint). Seismic Beauty worked five furlongs in :59.40 (4/35) and Hope Road also worked five furlongs in 59.40 (4/35).
Returning to the tab for trainer Phil D'Amato was Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), who drilled four furlongs in :50.0 (18/21). The gelding is ticketed for a fourth attempt at winning the GI Breeders' Cup Turf on Nov. 1.
Getting back on the tab for trainer Richard Baltas was Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca), who is a candidate for the Filly & Mare Sprint and drilled five furlongs in :59.20 (3/35).
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