Belmont Park: Casiguapo sharp in Champagne drill

ELMONT, N.Y. - Casiguapo, runner-up to Strong Mandate in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga on closing day, worked a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.17 Thursday morning over Belmont Park’s main track as he prepares for the Grade 1 Champagne here on Oct. 5.

With jockey Luis Saez in the irons, Casiguapo went his first quarter in 24.61 seconds and his last quarter in 23.95 while galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.07, seven furlongs in 1:26.66, and a mile in 1:41.25.

Trainer Mario Morales called the work “easy, in hand” and said Saez told him he was very happy with the move. Morales said that Casiguapo would blow out from the gate in his next work.

Jorge Wagner, who owns Casiguapo, said Saez told him that Casiguapo didn’t like the sloppy Saratoga track the day he finished 9 3/4 lengths behind Strong Mandate in the Hopeful. Prior to that race, Casiguapo, a son of Sightseeing, won a maiden race by 11 lengths at Calder.

Wagner said that if Casiguapo wins the Champagne or runs a good second he would consider making him eligible for the Breeders’ Cup. He is not currently Breeders’ Cup nominated.