Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a dream, only to have it surpass every wild expectation. That's exactly what happened to Atlantic Six Racing's Jay Briscione and his five Jersey Shore buddies when their New Jersey-bred colt, Book'em Danno, was crowned the 2025 Eclipse Champion Male Sprinter. It's the kind of story that makes every horse racing enthusiast's heart race – a tale of underdog triumph and unimaginable success. But here's where it gets even more incredible... This wasn't just any horse; Book'em Danno became the first New Jersey-bred Eclipse Award winner since the legendary Open Mind in 1989, and he did it in style, sweeping three graded stakes at Saratoga in a single summer – a feat trainer Derek Ryan believes may never be repeated.
For Briscione and his partners – Frank Camassa, Jeff Resnikoff, Mark Rubenstein, James Rubenstein, and Jim Scappi – this was the culmination of a lifelong dream. As Briscione puts it, it’s like a Little Leaguer hitting that game-winning grand slam. “I never dreamt we’d be in the running for an Eclipse Award,” he admitted. “You always hope for a nice horse, but this? This is beyond anything we imagined. He’s our horse of a lifetime.”
Book'em Danno’s journey to the top was nothing short of remarkable. A 4-year-old gelding by Bucchero out of the unraced Ghostzapper mare Adorabella, he kicked off his five-race campaign in March with a win just .17 seconds shy of the Colonial Downs track record in the Boston Handicap. Though he narrowly missed victory in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), finishing fourth on a sloppy track behind Mindframe, Nysos, and Banishing, his potential was undeniable. And this is the part most people miss... Those three rivals would go on to win graded stakes around two turns, but Book'em Danno’s sights were set on Saratoga – the ultimate stage for any racehorse.
“Where does everybody want to win? Saratoga,” Ryan declared, and for good reason. The Spa is the pinnacle of American racing, and Book'em Danno made it his playground. With ongoing construction at Belmont Park shifting the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to Saratoga from 2024-2026, the stage was set for something extraordinary. Book'em Danno seized the opportunity, staying in peak form all summer to sweep the True North (G3), Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2), and Forego (G1) stakes – a historic trifecta that cemented his place in racing history.
“He couldn’t have had a better year,” Ryan said. “What he did at Saratoga has never been done before, and unless someone does it this year, it might never happen again.” For Ryan, who has been training since 1996, Book'em Danno was more than just a champion – he was a career-defining horse. “I didn’t really have much stock worth talking about,” Ryan admitted. “I was nearly ready to take a job overseas, so he came along at the perfect time.”
Briscione praised Ryan’s handling of the horse, highlighting his attention to Book'em Danno’s physical well-being and the collaborative decision-making process. “It’s a lot of pressure on a smaller trainer, but Derek’s done a fantastic job,” he said.
Bred in New Jersey by Gregory Kilka and Bright View Farm, Book'em Danno’s victory in the Forego wasn’t just a personal triumph – it was a record-breaker. With earnings of $1,855,425, he surpassed Hall of Famer Open Mind as the all-time leading New Jersey-bred earner. For Briscione, this was the most exciting accomplishment of the season. “The fact that he’s a New Jersey-bred sends a powerful message,” he said. “If you’ve been in this game and you’re tired of paying bills, don’t give up – look what happened to us. And if you’re thinking of getting into horse racing, do it. You could end up with a horse like him.”
But here’s the controversial part... Is Book'em Danno’s success a once-in-a-lifetime anomaly, or does it signal a shift in the industry, proving that state-bred programs can produce champions? And what does his story mean for the future of New Jersey racing? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Could we see another Book'em Danno rise from the Garden State, or is this truly a story that will never be repeated?
