Bentornato to Scratch From Swale, Race in Saudi Derby
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Lauren King
Bentornato wins the Affirmed Division of the 2023 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Leon King Stable's 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 (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia, according to trainer Jose D'Angelo.
D'Angelo will scratch Bentornato from Gulfstream Park's Feb. 3 Swale Stakes 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 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes and the Proud Man Stakes. He finished third, beaten a length, Dec. 2 in the two-turn In Reality division of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes.
D'Angelo also said he would likely scratch No More Time from Saturday's Holy Bull Stakes (G3) in favor of a race at Tampa Bay Downs.