Photo: Alex Evers / Eclipse Sportswire showcases the significant moment. The Grade 1 Woody Stephens in June at Saratoga saw the biggest win for Book’em Danno from the inside post. Trained by Derek Ryan, this sophomore Bucchero gelding now aims for more glory from the inside-of-11 in Saturday’s Cigar Mile (G2) at Aqueduct.

Inside Post Power: Book’em Danno's Cigar Mile Journey

Inside Post Advantage

Book’em Danno's success from the inside post is a remarkable story. In the Grade 1 Woody Stephens, he showed his mettle and now gears up for the Cigar Mile. Trained by Derek Ryan, this gelding has been consistently performing well. As he breezed a solo five furlongs in 1:01.21 Friday over the Belmont Park dirt training track, it's clear that he is in good shape. "Everything is good," Ryan said. "The work got delayed a few days, but he worked good and came out of it good. So he is good to go. He’s been working pretty good for me, so with a little bit of luck, he will be all right."This isn't his first rodeo. Book’em Danno entered from a neck second to Brunacini in the seven-furlong Perryville (G3) on Oct. 19 at Keeneland. He closed along the inside but was blocked at the eighth pole, costing him a few lengths. Despite that, he maintained a 10-for-10 on-the-board record, highlighted by the Woody Stephens and a Grade 1 placing in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial in August at the Spa and a head defeat to Forever Young in the Saudi Derby (G3) in February at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

Weight and Competition

Book’em Danno will carry 120 pounds in the Cigar Mile, four pounds less than favorite Mullikin and second-choice Post Time's 124. "It came up pretty salty. It is a Grade 2 now and used to be a Grade 1, but it is tougher now than when it was a Grade 1," Ryan said. "Over the years, you always get good horses coming into it. This is his first time going against older horses, but we are dropping a little weight, so that’s got to help."He is one of four Grade or Group 1 winners in the Cigar Mile along with Mullikin, Locked and Señor Buscador. He also is one of five millionaires, with Law Professor, Señor Buscador, Coastal Mission and Post Time.

Riding and Expectations

Irad Ortiz Jr. will be aboard from post 1. "You’d rather be outside, but we seem to be getting this a lot. The last time he got the 1 hole, Irad got him out of there and he won in the Woody Stephens, so we’ll leave it up to him," Ryan said. "Good riders don't need instructions, and bad riders can't carry them out. That is Lester Piggott’s famous quote."With such a talented team behind him, Book’em Danno is set to make his mark in the Cigar Mile. The competition is tough, but his past performances give him a good chance. As he prepares to take on the best, all eyes will be on this inside post wonder.