Fourstardave Handicap Top Contenders Analysis

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The Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap, initially scheduled for Saturday at Saratoga, has been rescheduled to Sunday due to heavy rain from tropical storm Debby. 

This race, part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, offers the winner a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on November 2. The Fourstardave Handicap, named after the legendary New York-bred gelding known as the Sultan of Saratoga, has a rich history and is a crucial event in the Saratoga betting calendar.

Top Contenders

The race has drawn a six field, but Master of The Seas’s early scratch has altered the landscape, introduced new favorites, and shifted the analysis.

Strong Quality:

Trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Dylan Davis, this horse recently finished eighth in the Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga but has demonstrated strength in past performances, including turf wins at Churchill Downs.. Despite being a solid contender, Strong Quality may find tougher competition here.

Carl Spackler:

Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, is the top choice for the Fourstardave Handicap. The 4-year-old Lope de Vega colt has been a favorite in his last seven starts, winning four of his previous five, including three graded stakes victories at Saratoga. 

Ottoman Fleet

Following the scratch of Master of The Seas, another strong contender trained by Charlie Appleby will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Ottoman Fleet has two recent graded stakes wins in the U.S. and comes into this race off a victory in the Wise Dan Stakes at Churchill Downs. With his experience and ability to perform on various turf conditions, the Ottoman Fleet is a severe threat.

Other Horses

More Than Looks, trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., is making his 2024 debut in the Fourstardave after a sixth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile last year. While he has been training well at Keeneland, his offtrack betting odds may reflect his challenge in this competitive field, especially with a lack of pace in the race.

The horse racing odds for this race shifted significantly with the scratch of Master of The Seas, but the competition remains intense. Carl Spackler and Ottoman Fleet are expected to lead the contenders, coming off impressive graded-stakes victories and demonstrating their ability to handle less-than-ideal turf conditions.