Book'em Danno has been named the New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year for the second consecutive year. Additionally, he has received the titles of champion 3-year-old and champion sprinter from the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey. Owned by Atlantic Six Racing and trained by Derek Ryan, the gelding had an impressive season, achieving three wins and two second-place finishes in seven starts, accumulating $807,500 in earnings for the year.
Book'em Danno began his 3-year-old campaign with a 12 1/2-length victory in the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, setting the stage for a strong 2024 season. His next challenge was the $1 million Saudi Derby (G3), where he narrowly lost a photo finish to Japan's Forever Young. Following that, he raced at Saratoga Race Course and made history as the first New Jersey-bred to win a grade 1 race since 2017, claiming victory in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) on the Belmont Stakes (G1) undercard. He continued his success with a win in the Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth Park before finishing in the money at both the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) and the Perryville (G3) stakes.
Bred in New Jersey by Gregory Kilka and Bright View Farm, Book'em Danno is a son of Bucchero out of the Ghostzapper mare Adorabella. He now has career earnings of $1,038,125.
Holly Crest Farm's homebred Riding Pretty earned the title of champion older female due to her two stakes wins. The daughter of Jack Milton, out of the Girolamo mare High Renaissance, won the Smart N Classy Handicap at one mile on dirt by 7 1/2 lengths and the Eleven North Handicap going six furlongs on dirt. Trained by Eddie Owens Jr., Riding Pretty also finished second in the Jersey Girl Handicap at Monmouth Park, which was contested at one mile on turf. She has career earnings of $374,370.
New Spice Stable's homebred Smithwick's Spice was named champion older male and champion turf horse after winning two black-type stakes and three non-black-type stakes in 2024. His black-type victories included the Leinster Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and the Select Stakes at Monmouth Park. The 9-year-old son of Frost Giant out of Spice McHaggis, by Good and Tough, is trained by Douglas Nunn. Smithwick's Spice has 14 career wins and total earnings of $730,542.
J J Zo Zo was named champion 2-year-old after winning the Smoke Glacken Stakes at Monmouth Park by 8 1/2 lengths. The son of leading New Jersey sire Sea Wizard out of Lost Princess, by Stephen Got Even, is a Jose Garcia homebred trained by Jose Sanchez.
Adorabella, the dam of Book'em Danno, was named broodmare of the year for the third consecutive year. Tracy Farmer bred Adorabella, now 9, and sold her to Gregory Kilka in foal to Fast Anna at the 2020 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. The resulting foal was stakes winner and 2022 New Jersey-bred champion 2-year-old filly Girl Trouble.
Sea Wizard has been named New Jersey stallion of the year for the second consecutive year after his progeny earned $1,099,568 in 2024. He was represented last year by three stakes winners: J J Zo Zo, multiple stakes winner Sea Streak, and Ship to Shore. Sea Wizard stands at Pegasus Farm in Colts Neck, N.J.
