Miami’s Michael Iavarone Turns $1 Million Bet into Breeder’s Cup Victory
- Miami Living Team
- Nov 7
- 2 min read
It’s the kind of headline that belongs in a movie—but for Miami’s own Michael Iavarone, it’s real life. The investment advisor and horseman—recently featured in Netflix’s Race for the Crown—made headlines across the racing world this weekend when a share he purchased in Thoroughbred Bentornato for $1 million at the Keeneland Championship Sale turned into a Breeders’ Cup victory just three days later.
On October 29, during Keeneland’s Championship Sale held in the Del Mar Paddock, Iavarone and his wife, Jules, bought a 25% ownership interest in Bentornato, a four-year-old Florida-bred colt by Valiant Minister and bred by Tanma Corp. The interest was consigned by the horse’s trainer, José D’Angelo, who is also based in South Florida.
“He’s a beautiful horse – 17 hands and really, super fast,” said Iavarone. “Keeneland does a great job at everything. As a matter of fact, we (my wife Jules Iavarone) and I met at Keeneland. So Keeneland holds a very special place in my heart.”
Only three days later, on November 1, Bentornato went wire-to-wire to win the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar. Ridden by champion jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Bentornato blazed through the six-furlong race and crossed the finish line 2¼ lengths ahead of the field, giving his connections a storybook victory on one of racing’s biggest stages.
“I watched this horse run at Churchill and was really impressed...I feel like it was meant to be,” said Iavarone. “To be able to buy a horse on Wednesday and run a horse in the Breeder’s Cup on Saturday – what else can you ask for? Win, lose or draw—it’s a win for us.”
The Keeneland Championship Sale, launched last year by the Lexington racetrack and auction house, offers a highly curated selection of racing and breeding prospects in an exclusive, invitation-only format held during Breeders’ Cup week. “The Championship Sale was designed to showcase offerings that are truly one of a kind,” said Tony Lacy, Vice President of Sales at Keeneland.
Bentornato’s journey to the Breeders’ Cup began earlier this season at Keeneland, where D’Angelo trained both Bentornato and stablemate Shisospicy during the Fall Meet. His form was already electric—just weeks before the sale, Bentornato had dominated the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs, clocking six furlongs in 1:08.43.
