Saturdays feature event at Saratoga is the $500,000 dollar, Grade 1 Fourstardave.
The race is named to honor a fan favorite at Saratoga…you guessed it FOURSTARDAVE.
He was one of the most popular horses of his time, as he competed from age 2 to 10.
And boy how he loved The Spa. He Won at least one race at Saratoga from 1987 to 1994, earning him the nickname The Sultan Of Saratoga.
The Fourstardave Handicap has proved to be a key steppingstone toward the Breeders’ Cup Mile in recent years.
Many horses have used the Fourstardave as a springboard to glory at the Breeders’ Cup. Therefore it makes sense that the race is a Win And You’re In qualifier, offering an automatic entry for the BC Mile in November at Santa Anita.
So what’s the secret to Winning the Fourstardave? What kind of horse does it take to claim this one-mile test of speed, class, and stamina?
Looking back, you can find some tips and trends that offer clues as to who might take the prize on Saturday.
Bet The Speed ! Generally, turf races are known for fantastic finishes with deep-closers flying from off the pace to prevail in the shadow of the wire. But the Fourstardave has been a noteworthy exception, strongly favoring speed horses over the last 10 years.
VOO DOO SONG (2018), SIDNEY’S CANDY (2011), and GET STORMY (2010) all Won in gate-to-wire fashion, while seven other Winners were racing 2nd or 3rd (and within two lengths of the lead) halfway through the race.
Regardless of the turf condition, it’s wise to favor speed horses in the Fourstardave Handicap.
Look For Johnny V. & Bill Mott With nine Victories overall (including three in the last decade), no jockey has enjoyed greater success in the Fourstardave than John Velazquez. Give him a live mount, and you can bet he’ll execute a strong ride on the Saratoga turf course.
Trainer Bill Mott might not Win the Fourstardave every time he saddles a runner, but with five Victories overall, including scores with CASA CREED last year, TOURIST (2016), SEEK AGAIN (2014), SILVER TREE (2007), and HAP (2000), his runners are always worth an extra look.
Favor Proven Stakes Winners With the exception of JUSTENUFFHUMOR, every Fourstardave Winner over the last 13 years had previously achieved Victory in a Stakes Races, with the majority Winning at least one (if not multiple) Graded Stakes races prior to their success at Saratoga.
Success at Saratoga Doesn’t Hurt Over half of the last 10 Fourstardave Winners had previously reached the Winner’s circle at Saratoga.
Considering that the meet is short, and the Fourstardave comes early in the meet, this usually means the runner in question had Won a race at Saratoga a year or two prior to succeeding in the Fourstardave.
Horses for courses is always a good angle at The Spa in this particular contest.
