BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Cagliostro has been labeled the 5-2 morning line favorite for Friday’s eighth race at Saratoga Race Course, an upper level, $100,000 optional claiming set to go a mile-and-one-eighth. The 5-year-old Florida-bred gelding trained by Cherie DeVaux is one of nine 3-year-olds and older who will vie for the winner’s share of the $120,000 purse.

Cagliostro will make his first start since June 29 when fifth, three-and-a-half lengths behind winner Will Take It, in the $296,000 Hanshin Stakes going a mile at Churchill Downs, a race he won in 2024.

That was his first race back in the United States after beginning the year with two races at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. On Jan. 24, he was third, just a head shy of winner King Gold (Fr) in the Firebreak Stakes presented by Longines (G3) going a mile then fourth in the US$326,800 Burj Nahaar sponsored by Emirates Airlines won by Fort Payne (Fr) on March 1. 

 

Owned by the Emir of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s Wathnan Racing, Cagliostro has three wins, four seconds and three thirds in 17 career starts with earnings of $549,342. He is by Upstart out of A Rosefor Isabelle, by Hard Spun and was bred in Florida by Lance Colwell and Janice Clark.

DeVaux selected Cagliostro out of the Two Oaks Equine consignment at the 2022 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale where she paid $385,000.

Flavien Prat will ride Cagliostro from post three.

Set to face Cagliostro is Film Star, a winner under these conditions going nine furlongs at Saratoga on June 26.

The 6-year-old son of Flatter is trained by Linda Rice for Ronald P. Stewart and sports a solid record at Saratoga with three wins, two seconds and a third in seven starts. In addition to the June 26 victory, he won the $124,000 Lure Stakes when it was taken off the turf and run over a muddy and sealed mile in August of last year and a first condition allowance race going a mile-and-an-eighth at the Spa in 2023.

He had an off performance at Saratoga two starts back, however, finishing fourth, nearly 14 lengths behind winner Willy D’s on June 5. Willy D’s came back in his next start two win the $102,400 Michael G. Schaefer Memorial going a mile-and-70-yards at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 5 in his next start.

Film Star has a career ledger of seven wins, seven seconds and three thirds in 28 starts while earning $691,951.

He will be ridden by Jose Lezcano from post five and is 7-2 on the morning line.

Others entered are Wynstock with Joel Rosario named to ride, Speed Bias has Kendrick Carmouche taking the call, Cooke Creek and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., Mama’s Gold will have Romero Maragh in the irons, Money Supply has Dylan Davis assigned to ride and Manny Franco will guide Full Screen.

Return to the August 21 issue of Wire to Wire