Book'em Danno Auditioning for Saudi Cup in Cigar Mile

Atlantic Six Racing's Book'em Danno is entered in the Nov. 25 Steel Valley Sprint at Mahoning Valley Race Course, but trainer Derek Ryan said he will scratch in favor of the $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 7. "This was always the plan, so then we will figure out what we'll do for next year. Well basically, I'm trying to figure out what race he will run in Saudi Arabia and this will make the decision a lot easier," said Ryan. The sophomore Bucchero gelding is a grade 1-winning sprinter, capturing the seven-furlong Woody Stephens (G1) June 8 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course. Ryan wants to see if he is better suited for the six-furlong Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) or the 1 1/8-mile Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 22. Book'em Danno has made two efforts at one mile, including a second in the Saudi Derby (G3) when nailed late by Forever Young (JPN) to lose by a head in February. "I don't think he should've gotten beat to tell you the truth. That horse was so far back. (Book'em Danno) is getting a little older and starting to drop back himself. So I think his style is changing and most of mine usually come from off the pace anyways," said Ryan. "The big one is $20 million (purse). It is a lot of money and they pay all the way down to eighth a lot of money. You've got to be invited. "He is invited for the sprint, but if he runs good in this one, they'll invite him for the big one—it is basically an audition," Ryan continued. Book'em Danno was a neck second last out in the seven-furlong Perryville (G3) Oct. 19 at Keeneland. He boasts a lifetime record of 6-3-1 from 10 starts with $1,018,125 in earnings.