Some stakes may be curiously named, but the Fourstardave Stakes (G1T) is a perfect fit at Saratoga Race Course. Named for the gallant turf gelding who was known as "The Sultan of Saratoga," the stakes named in his honor is one that he won twice in 1990 and '91 when it was called the Daryl's Joy Handicap (G3T).
Now a grade 1 stakes, the race that honors Fourstardave quite appropriately brings together some of the nation's premier turf milers for a showdown at the Spa with a "Win and You're In" spot in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at stake.
1. Rhetorical (5-2 morning-line odds): Battled for the lead through fast fractions last time and weakened late to finish fourth. Gets the rail again and the Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) winner at Churchill Downs has enough talent and speed to be there at the end.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: William Walden
2. Mi Bago (12-1): Could create a problem for his fellow New York-bred Rhetorical. He also has sharp early speed, setting up the possibility of an early duel that may not benefit either of them. Comes off a dead-heat win in the Kelso Stakes (G3T).
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Mark Casse
3. Zulu Kingdom (7-2): Finished in a dead-heat with Mi Bago in the Kelso. Rarely turns in a poor effort with eight wins in 11 starts. Won Keeneland's Mile Stakes (G1T) earlier this year and is nearly impossible to ignore in this spot.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown
4. Classic Q (8-1): Grade 1-winning filly will try to beat the boys. Her speed figures are competitive with the top contenders, and trainer Mark Casse has already captured this stakes twice with a female runner. Do not ignore.
JOCKEY: John Velazquez; TRAINER: Mark Casse
5. Deterministic (2-1): Won this stakes last year and is undefeated in two 2026 tries, including the Manhattan Stakes (G1T) at the Spa. Should be a force in this field, though he projects to be part of what is shaping up as a hot pace and will be a determining factor here.
JOCKEY: Kendrick Carmouche; TRAINER: Miguel Clement
6. Capitol Hill (10-1): His closing kick was negated by a slow pace in the Kelso, when he settled for fourth. Beat Zulu Kingdom in the Poker Stakes in June and should get the kind of pace that will boost his chances.
JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado; TRAINER: Bill Mott
7. Lagynos (5-1): Was seventh in last year's Fourstardave but has blossomed in 2026. Owns a five-race winning streak, all in stakes. Has an outside post but should work out a good trip with lots of speed inside him. Merits major consideration.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Steve Asmussen
THE PICK: Zulu Kingdom (IRE)
LONGSHOT: Capitol Hill
SUPERFECTA: 3-5-6-7
