Book'em Danno

It's been a long time since anyone has seen the New Jersey-bred star Book'em Danno (Bucchero). He hasn't run since winning the GI Forego Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 23. There were rumblings that he would run in the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland, but he sat that one out. He also did not run in the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint, where he likely would have been the favorite. Passing on an appearance at the World Championships is something that could cost him some Eclipse Award votes....

It wasn't a perfect night for Paco Lopez Thursday night at Delta Downs as he was 0-for-2, finishing eighth with his first mount of the night and third in his second try. But, according to his agent, Jose Garcia, Lopez saw it as a positive night for the simple fact that he was back doing what he loves. "He was very happy to be back," Garcia said. "You have a rider who, basically, loves to ride horses." Lopez had not ridden since Sept. 22 at Parx. Afterward he was suspended...

Edited Press Release Ironhorse Stallions's Bucchero (by Kantharos--Meetmeontime, by General Meeting), the sire of MGISW Book'em Danno, will stand the 2026 breeding season for $12,500, with an early-bird discount available through Dec. 31 for mares foaling in New York and a breeder-friendly mare cap of 140, the farm said in a release on Saturday morning. With the fewest named foals of the top 15 fourth-crop sires, Bucchero continues to distinguish himself among the elite of his generation. Competing alongside comparable rising stars such as Girvin (by Tale of Ekati) who...

The 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint will not include what may be the best sprinter in training. Trainer Derek Ryan announced Saturday that his star New Jersey-bred Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) is done for the year. Ryan had never fully committed to the Breeders' Cup, saying it was "50-50" in previous interviews. The story was first reported by the Paulick Report. "We've decided to wind it up for the year," Ryan said. "I think he's done enough. He's had a hard and tough campaign. Look what he did at Saratoga...

In the paddock for the GI Forego Stakes, nearly every other horse was flanked by handlers. A few pranced or eyed the crowd warily, as their teams worked to keep them focused on the task at hand. Meanwhile Book'em Danno (Bucchero) ambled placidly in front of the saddling stalls. His lone handler gave him an occasional pat, but otherwise the pair seemed impervious to the commotion around them. That steady demeanor has been one of Book'em Danno's trademarks, and it's one of the reasons why bringing the multiple Grade I...

Jay Briscione, one of the six owners that make up Atlantic Six Racing, knows how lucky he has been. Some two years ago he and his partners privately bought a Jersey-bred son of Bucchero (Kantharos) out of a mare named Adorabella (Ghostzapper). At the time, Bucchero was an unproven sire and Adorabella never made it to the races. Briscione admits all he was looking for was a horse who could win New Jersey-bred races at Monmouth. What he got was a winning lottery ticket named Book'em Danno. It's been quite...

Jay Briscione is one of the lucky co-owners enjoying the ride of a lifetime with the fan-favorite New Jersey-bred Book'em Danno. He joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to share the story behind the gelding, who added a third straight graded win in this weekend's GI Forego Stakes, and discuss what's in store for his future.

The hits just keep on coming for the infinitely likeable Book'em Danno (Bucchero), who stamped his authority on Saturday's GI Forego Stakes at Saratoga, where he has now won four times from five trips up the Thruway. His lone blemish came when a gallant third in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes on this very program 12 months ago. One of the most popular horses in training, Book'em Danno has literally matured before the eyes of the horse racing public. Through a very successful sophomore season, which included a victory...

There really isn't a whole lot that trainer Bill Mott has left to accomplish in the Thoroughbred business. Since recording his first graded stakes victory with Heatherten--who also gave him his first Grade I success--for owner John Franks some 41 years ago, the 72-year-old has saddled the winners of over 150 top-level contests with superstars of either sex, such as Taylor's Special, Theatrical (Ire), Paradise Creek, Fraise, legendary dual Horse of the Year Cigar, Ajina, Escena, Wekiva Springs, Favorite Trick, Dream Supreme and her son Majestic Warrior, Drosselmeyer, To Honor...

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...

Saratoga's GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, downgraded for 2025, featured a rematch of the June 7 GIII True North Stakes between Book'em Danno (g, 4, Bucchero--Adorabella, by Ghostzapper) and Mullikin (Violence), who finished one-two last month over this surface, and Nakatomi (Firing Line), who had been fifth. All three showed up in a big way Saturday to fill out the trifecta with fan-favorite Book'em Danno on top once again. Book'em Danno's biggest career win (the 2024 GI Woody Stephens Stakes), his biggest career Beyer (the 104 he registered when third...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Arguably the best older horse in training, Mindframe (Constitution), went back to work Friday morning. The 4-year-old colt had his first work since winning the loaded GI Stephen Foster Stakes last month for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Mindframe worked an easy four furlongs in :52.46 (76/78) on the main track with regular exercise rider Carlos Quevedo on board. "He does whatever you ask him to do," Pletcher said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. "He is cool that way. He goes easy...