The FourStarDave
By Nick D’agostino
This Saturday on August 11th Saratoga will play host to the annual FourStarDave Grade One Mile on the turf formerly known as the Daryl’s Joy Handicap. As an honor to the affectionately nicknamed “Sultan of Saratoga” in 1996, this race was renamed after one of my favorite horses as I was growing up, FourstarDave.
Fans would come out to Saratoga in droves to watch him run as he was a local favorite of many. FourStarDave won at least 1 race every summer at Saratoga from 1987 to 1994 and at one
point you couldn’t even mention Saratoga without thinking about this horse.
Ridden by Hall of Fame riders such as Randy Romero, Angel Cordero Jr., Mike Smith, and Jose Santos I am sure they all have fond memories of this fan favorite.
Sadly, FourStarDave passed away from a heart attack in October of 2002 at the age of 17. He is one of only three horses buried at Clare Court at Saratoga Race Course.
FourStarDave, a New York bred gelding, was bred by Richard Bomze, sired by Compliance a Son of Northern Dancer out of Sex Appeal. His Dam was Broadway Joan who was named New York Broodmare of the year three times. FourStarDave was a full brother to El Gran Senor and Try My Best.
FourStarDave, a horse I’ll never forget. His lifetime earnings were 1.6 million dollars with a record of 100:21-18-16.
Trained by Leo O’Brien, FourStarDave was also part of some of my favorite race calls by arguably one of the greatest race callers in my time, Tom Durkin. “Here Comes the old boy, he’s making a runaway of it.”
Thank you for the memories that will last a lifetime, FourStarDave.
The FourStarDave has been won 9 times by jockey John Velazquez, his and Bill Mott 4 wins share the most victories in this race. The race was not always run at a mile and was previously run at 1 1/16 th and 1 1/8 th . The record at the mile distance is held by Seek Again, trained by Bill Mott, ridden by Joel Rosario at 133.25.
In this year’s FourStarDave we have a field of 6 entrants with a lone MTO also eligible. There is a 40% chance of showers for Saturday so hopefully this race stays on the turf.
The Field:
Delta Prince-J A Jerkens-J. Castellano _ The Horse to Beat!
Divisidero-K Rubley- J. Toledo- Probably prefers more distance.
Made You Look- C.Brown- L. Saez- Improved since switching to the Chad Brown barn and is a threat here.
Heart To Heart-B A Lynch- J R Leparoux- Speed is always dangerous, it all depends on what Voodoo Song does early.
Voodoo Song- L. Rice- J. Lezcano- Spa lover just like FourStarDave, can’t ever count this over-achiever out here, would be fitting to see him win this.
Yoshida- W I Mott- M. Franco- Classy and tough back on Lasix after Ascot trip. Respect.
MTO- Weekend Hideaway- P. M. Serpe- L. Saez
