Legendary Fourstardave and the Prestigious Fourstardave Handicap: A Storied Legacy at Saratoga Race Course
Fourstardave is a Saratoga legend, a throwback thoroughbred who raced and raced and raced, 100 starts over eight years that included at least one victory at the Spa every summer of his racing career. A record that likely will stand forever, and earned him the title of the “Sultan of Saratoga.”
On Saturday, the race formerly known as the Daryl’s Joy renamed the Fourstardave Handicap in 1995 is part of another stakes-filled Saturday that highlights the midpoint of the season at Saratoga Race Course.
Fourstardave won 10 races at the Spa and compiled a record of 21 wins, 18 seconds and 16 thirds in those 100 starts for earnings of $1,636,737 from 1987-95 for owner Richard Bomze.
The $500,000 Fourstardave (G1) on turf for 3-year-olds and up is a “Win and You’re In’’ race to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.
A field of seven is entered led by Casa Creed, the Bill Mott-trained 7-year-old who has four career victories at the Spa, including last year’s Fourstardave after two third-place finishes the previous two years. He’s already won at Saratoga this season, taking the 1-mile Kelso (G3) on July 15 by a length over Todd Pletcher-trained Annapolis, who is back for another go at Casa Creed.
Pletcher also sends out Emmanuel. Mark Casse has three horses in the race, Full Screen, My Sea Cottage, and Ice Chocolat. The other entry is So High.
Casa Creed, Annapolis, and Emmanuel Vie for Victory in Highly Anticipated Horse Racing Clash
In defeating Annapolis in the Kelso, Casa Creed launched his winning move around the far turn under Luis Saez, who has the call on Saturday leaving from post 6.
“He’s had a couple of nice works (leading up to the Fourstardave),’’ Mott said. “We’re just hoping for good weather. He’s one of those horses that really takes good care of himself. He’s just in a good cycle. I guess he likes this time of year.”
Annapolis, a 4-year-old son of War Front, also is a Grade 1 winner (the 2022 Coolmore Turf Mile).
“We just didn’t get away great. We got bottled up in the first turn and Casa Creed got the jump on us,” Pletcher said, referring to the Kelso. “We were able to get to him late. This time, we’d like to get free a little bit sooner.”
Emmanuel comes in off a two-month break after winning the Poker (G3) at Belmont on June 10.
Casse won the 2019 and 2021 Fourstardave with Got Stormy. Ice Chocolat, fourth in the Kelso, could be his best chance.
The Fourstardave post time is 5:44 p.m. ET, and the ninth race on the program. The undercard includes the $200,000 Saratoga Special (G2) for 2-year-olds.
Several horses who have won this event became celebrated champions. The 1993 winner Lure went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile later in the year also the 1996 winner Da Hoss went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile later. Both horses were two-time winners of the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The 2005 Brazilian bred winner Leroidesanimaux would become US Champion Male Turf Horse. Dual winner Wise Dan would become US Horse of the Year in both 2012 and 2013 the years he won of the event. The last horse to win the event and the Breeders’ Cup Mile was the champion World Approval in 2017.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
