Cagliostro prevails in the Hanshin to collect his first stakes win (Coady Media)
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Wathnan Racing’s 4-year-old colt Cagliostro pressed the pace three-wide down the backstretch, put away 8-5 favorite Extra Anejo in upper stretch and turned back a late run by Tumbarumba to win Sunday’s 71st renewal of the $279,875 Hanshin presented by JRA (Listed) at Churchill Downs, the featured race on closing day of the 43-day Spring Meet that showcased five stakes events.
Cagliostro, who broke through to collect his first stakes win, prevailed by one length and clocked one mile over a fast track in 1:34.87. Flavien Prat rode the winner for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
Breaking from post seven in the field of nine older horses, Cagliostro tracked three-wide outside of pacesetters Zozos and Extra Anejo, who ran the first quarter mile in :23.09 and the half in :46.09. Zozos, the defending Hanshin champ, checked out just past the half-mile marker while in tight quarters down along the rail.
Cagliostro, who cut back in distance after running second to Highland Falls in the 1 1/8-mile Blame on June 1, put away Extra Anejo nearing the three-sixteenths pole and spurted clear in the stretch. Louisiana-bred graded stakes winner Tumbarumba put in his usual late charge but could not get to Cagliostro.
“He had a really strong performance today,” Prat said. “It was the first time I rode him and he’s a very talented colt and had a nice kick home.”
The first prize was $163,680 and hiked Cagliostro’s bankroll to $436,668 with a record of 3-4-1 in 11 starts.
“We thought the cut back in distance would really suit him today to keep him and Pyrenees separated from running against one another in the Stephen Foster,” DeVaux said. “It worked out very well with Pyrenees running second in the Foster. We’re very happy for our entire team and this ownership group.”
Cagliostro paid $10.44, $5.32 and $3.78 as the 4-1 third betting choice. Tumbarumba, ridden by Luis Saez, paid $6.94 and $4.80 at odds of 6-1. Raise Cain was another 1 ¾ lengths back in third under Luan Machado and paid $9.36 to show at odds of 20-1.
Three Technique, Charge It, Happy American, Extra Anejo, Frosted Grace and Zozos completed the order of finish. Best Actor and Injunction were scratched.
Cagliostro is a Florida-bred son of Upstart out of the Hard Spun mare A Rosefor Isabelle who was bred by Lance Colwell and Janice Clark.
