There’s a quiet excitement buzzing at Gulfstream Park as Leon King Stable Corp.’s Bentornato continues his steady march toward the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). The 4-year-old, a Grade 2 winner with an electric start to his career, has been turning heads in morning workouts at Keeneland, showcasing the kind of form that had fans talking during his four-race winning streak back in 2023.
Trainer Jose D’Angelo is upbeat. “He worked amazing,” D’Angelo said after Bentornato blazed through a five-furlong workout in 1:00 flat, the fastest among 24 contenders. “We worked him in company with Araucano, and I saw everything I was looking for. We are ready for the Breeders’ Cup.”
Bred in Florida by Tanma Corp., Bentornato narrowly missed glory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint, finishing a half-length behind eventual champion Straight No Chaser. Since then, he’s made only one start, capturing the Louisville Thoroughbred Society by a decisive 5 ¾ lengths on September 13.
“He’s maturing well,” D’Angelo continued. “We’re focused on teaching him to sit behind horses, relax, and make his move. He can be up front easily because he’s fast, but he doesn’t need to be like last year.”
Bentornato’s juvenile campaign was nothing short of spectacular. He swept the Proud Man, Dr. Fager, and Affirmed divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes series before finishing third in the FSS In Reality. His 3-year-old season saw victories in the Gallant Bob (G2), a third in the Saudi Derby (G3), and a close second in the Robert Hilton Memorial—form that confirmed his ability to compete on the sport’s biggest stages.
The six-furlong Sprint at Del Mar on November 1 promises to be a thrilling test. “He’ll have one more easy work at Keeneland next weekend and ship out on the 27th,” said D’Angelo, who also has graded-stakes winner Shisospicy ready for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).
Shisospicy, a 3-year-old filly owned by Morplay Racing and Qatar Racing Ltd., has four wins from six starts this year, including the Music City (G2) and Mamzelle (G3). Most recently, she breezed four furlongs in 47.40 seconds at Keeneland on October 15. “It’s going to be tough, but we are super excited,” D’Angelo said.
Friday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Set to Hit $100,000
Gulfstream Park is also drawing attention with a $100,000 estimated Rainbow 6 jackpot this Friday. The popular 20-cent multi-race wager, which went unsolved for three consecutive racing days, spans Races 5–10 in the Sunshine Meet’s 10-race program.
The sequence highlights a six-furlong maiden special weight sprint for 2-year-old fillies in Race 6, featuring promising newcomers like first-time starter Little Georgie, a $630,000 Charlatan filly trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., and Maxfield filly Amuse Me, moving to dirt after a turf debut at the Meadowlands.
The Rainbow 6 jackpot is paid out only when a single unique ticket picks all six winners. On days without a unique ticket, 70% of the pool goes to bettors with the most winners, while 30% rolls over to the next jackpot. Mandatory payouts distribute the entire pool to the top-winning tickets, keeping the excitement high for Gulfstream fans.
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