How to bet the 2022 Fourstardave Handicap

Regal Glory (Photo by Coglianese Photos)

August 11th, 2022

A compact field of five will travel one-mile on the Saratoga inner turf course in Saturday’s $500,000 Fourstardave H. (G1). Conditioner Chad Brown seemingly holds the cards to the race with two serious contenders signed on, led by the classy #3 Regal Glory (6-5) who will be facing the boys.

The chestnut mare has been on quite a roll over the past two seasons with a six-for-eight mark, amassing a trio of Grade 1 victories along the way. A Saratoga specialist who is three-for-three on the Spa lawn in her lifetime, the superb daughter of Animal Kingdom has never been better and has not missed a beat in the mornings in preparation of Saturday.

Regal Glory has early foot but is equally adept at running from off the pace, which will give regular pilot Jose Ortiz options in the opening stages of the affair. She looms large at arguably her best distance.

The main threat to the top pick will come from her stablemate, Juddmonte Farms homebred #4 Masen (2-1). By Kingman, the lightly raced bay is a nose shy of being unbeaten on U. S. soil and makes his first run since conquering the Poker S. (G3) at Belmont Park in June. The speedy four-year-old has plenty of room for improvement with just nine lifetime runs to date, and has been posting some solid drills in preparation of his Saratoga debut.

Masen doesn’t need the lead in order to succeed, and he figures to get first run turning for home after tracking the pacesetter to the top of the lane. If the British-bred takes to the Saratoga green, he has a minor chance at an upset with Flavien Prat taking the reins.

Multiple Grade 1 winner #1 Casa Creed (5-2) has a potent turn of foot and a world of class for conditioner Bill Mott. The Jimmy Creed six-year-old was a respectable third in the race in 2021 and has hit the board in each of his three prior tries at The Spa. He is capable of getting the trip and should be given a realistic chance beneath Luis Saez.