How to bet the Fourstardave Stakes

A splendid cast of seven of the top turf milers around will jaunt eight panels on the Saratoga inner turf course in Saturday’s $750,000 Fourstardave (G1). There is very little separation between the majority of the runners in the cast, which could make it a jockeys’ race, and I will put my faith in Irad Ortiz, Jr. 

Fourstardave Wagers

• $30 win #1 Rhetorical ($30)
• $2 superfecta 1 with 2,5 with 2,5 with all ($16)

Two-time Grade 1 hero #1 Rhetorical (5-2) is a six-time winner on the lawn, with three of those coming on this surface, and the Will Walden pupil drew the rail for the heat. The five-year-old bagged the Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland last season at today’s trip, and he could get a good voyage on Saturday. The Not This Time gelding doesn’t need the lead in order to run big, proven by his efforts in 2025, and with plenty of pace to his outside, I expect Irad to let a few of the speedy types go early and secure a nice slot on the fence tucked in behind the swift tempo to the top of the lane.  

Three-time Grade 1 star #5 Deterministic (2-1) has won five straight dating back to May of 2025, which includes a fine score in the Manhattan (G1) at this meeting most recently. Trained by Miguel Clement, the five-year-old son of Liam’s Map won the race last season against a lesser group and will revert to one mile after running 1 3/16 in his latest venture. His conditioner continues to rave about how well he trains, and the Kentucky-bred is proven at the distance, as well, and he will be forcing the pace with Carmouche retaining the ride. 

#2 Mi Bago (12-1) lacks the credentials of many in the field with four Grade 1 winners in the cast, but the Mark Casse trainee has never been better since having the blinkers removed two back. The fleet gelding aired in the Kingston S. over fellow New York-bred runners on the strip two back, which preceded a dead-heat win in the Kelso (G3) last time when he battled back gamely late when challenged by a serious foe, something that he had rarely done in the past. The four-year-old bay will be sent hard from the gate to secure the edge early, and if he does get it, then I feel that he will be stubborn late while holding on for a share at a nice price.