SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The well-traveled Book’em Danno began his career last summer against New Jersey-breds at Monmouth Park,  journeyed halfway around the world over the winter to nearly upset the Saudi Derby, and on Saturday took his roadshow to Saratoga, where he became a Grade 1 winner for the first time after withstanding a late run from 8-5 favorite Prince of Monaco to register a half-length victory in the $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes. Making his first start since headed in the final yards by the heavily favored Forever Young in the one-mile Saudi Derby on Feb. 24, Book’em Danno broke a step slow from the rail but quickly recovered to settle about eight lengths off the lightning-fast pace set by Barksdale and pressed by Frost Free in the run down the backstretch of the seven-furlong Woody Stephens. Book’em Danno began to edge closer to the leaders on the final turn, angled out near the middle of the track entering the stretch, overtook the tiring Barksdale near the three-sixteenths pole, drew off, then had enough left to withstand a final bid by Prince of Monaco. The latter was put in tight quarters and steadied back after the break, lagged more than a dozen lengths behind the pacesetters leaving the backstretch, advanced steadily thereafter before falling just short with his rally while making his first start since the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. :: Get the Inside Track with the FREE DRF Morning Line Email Newsletter. Subscribe now.  Nutella Fella, who hadn’t run since registering a stunning upset in the Grade 1 Hopeful here on Labor Day, was also knocked around at the break before rallying from far back to finish third. The start was an eventful one and, along with both Prince of Monaco and Nutella Fella, also greatly impacted the chances of Nash, who stumbled badly leaving the gate then checked back shortly thereafter, ultimately finishing a non-threatening ninth as a result of the incident. Book’em Danno is owned by the Atlantic Six Racing LLC and rewarded his trainer, Derek Ryan, with the first Grade 1 victory of his career. He returned $7.70 as the second choice in the wagering after completing the distance in 1:21.30 over a fast track (100 Beyer Speed Figure).    “The one hole is always a worry going seven-eighths. I had a filly a few years ago who finished third (actually fourth) in the Test (2015) because of the one hole,” Ryan said. “But when you have Irad Ortiz, you never had to worry. That’s the key. He really wanted to ride him back to make amends for the other one (Saudi Derby).” Ryan said the plan all along was to give Book’em Danno a break after the Saudi Derby and point to the Woody Stephens. As for his thoughts moving forward, Ryan said he was playing it pretty close to the vest before casually mentioning the Allen Jerkens (Grade 1, seven furlongs, Aug. 24) as a likely option. “Seven furlongs is perfect for him,” Ryan said.   And as for winning his first Grade 1 race, Ryan commented, “it’s great. I’m glad I did it. I think I’ve been second in a bunch of them. This is sweet. If I had 20 in the barn like him, I could retire soon. Unfortunately, he’s my only one.” Jockey Flavien Prat, who rode Prince of Monaco, said his horse lost a couple of lengths due to the chain reaction caused by Maximum Meridius ducking in sharply at the break. “After that we regrouped and made a nice run,” Prat said. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.