Sharp 2-year-olds propel Bucchero toward $2 million season

Three 2-year-olds combined for $133,650 in purse money yesterday and lifted Bucchero’s progeny earnings for 2023 to $1,942,512, assuring him a $2 million season with just two crops at the races.

BOOK’EM DANNO – The gelding bred in New Jersey by Gregory J. Kilka and Bright View Farm followed up his victory in the Smoke Glacken Stakes at Monmouth Park with a convincing 6 1/2-length score in the $150,000 Futurity Stakes at the Belmont-at-the Big A meeting. With Jose Ortiz riding, Book’em Danno sat fourth down the backstretch behind a hot pace of :22.09, :45.27 and :57.24, moved three wide on the turn, and coasted to the wire in 1:09.47 for the six furlongs. He received an Equibase speed figure of ’96’ for the effort. The track record owned by Florida-bred Kelly Kip is 1:07.54.

Book’em Danno, unbeaten in three races, paid $2.80 and earned a check for $82,500, increasing his total to $200,625.

BUCCHERINO – In a $54,300 allowance optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs at Laurel, the colt bred by Blue River Bloodstock engaged in a battle on the front end in :22.52, :45.57 and :58.63, before Angel Cruz guided him under the wire to win by a neck, clocked in 1:05.87. Winner of two of his last three, Buccherino paid $4.80 and collected a check for $32,400, jumping his total to $82,900.

SHARDS – The colt bred by Craig L. Wheeler finished third in Keeneland’s $250,000 Indian Summer Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf, falling just a neck and a nose short of winning his first stakes.

The $175,000 OBS March 2-year-old added $18,750 to his earnings, which have now reached $70,750 on a record of 1-1-2 in four tries.