Film Star has easy time with off-the-turf Lure Stakes
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Linda Rice briefly considered Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga for Film Star, who seemed to be maturing nicely off a long break, and who was ready to make his second start off a layoff.
But after looking at the forecast both for the Whitney field and for the weather in Saratoga, she opted to enter in the $135,000 Lure Stakes on turf on the undercard, even though Film Star wouldn’t initially be in the body of the race as a main-track-only entrant.
“Frankly, I considered the Whitney, and the Whitney field came up a very big, very competitive race,” Rice said. “I'm always trying to find a spot where I can be the heavy, rather than one of many. The weather looked like it might play into our favor. I was praying for rain last night.”
Rice’s forecasting paid off. Film Star, who had made the majority of his prior starts on dirt, drew in to the off-the-turf Lure and made easy work of the starting field of four, taking over without being asked on the turn and cruising home to a four-length win.
The Lure, which was run at a mile out of the Wilson Chute on the officially muddy, and sealed, main track, was the only one of Saratoga’s three scheduled turf stakes for Saturday that was contested in any form. After heavy rain overnight and into the morning, the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby and Grade 2 Troy Stakes were both moved to the Saturday, Aug. 10 program. Defending winner Smokin’ T and comebacking graded stakes winner More Than Looks were among the scratches from the off-the-turf Lure, along with Kubrick, Forever Souper, Irish Aces, and Big Everest.
Film Star and Irad Ortiz Jr. — who picked up the mount after being scheduled to ride More Than Looks — were away alertly from the outside to race with Swiftsure through the opening strides, then conceded the lead to settle in second just off that leader as the field swung out of the chute and onto the backstretch.
“I was a little concerned that [Swiftsure] has a big pedigree to love the mud, he’s got a lot of natural speed, and he might run away from us early,” Rice said. “But [Film Star] was sharp, and Irad just told me he was full of a ton of horse the whole way.”
After firing his opening quarter in 23.98 seconds, Swiftsure still held a half-length lead through an honest half in 46.83. Film Star began to inch up on the outside of Swiftsure around the far turn, and the leader came under a ride on the inside as Ortiz had yet to move on his mount. Film Star ($3.20) had the lead coming in to the stretch and began to widen as he pleased; Ortiz gave him a few right-handed reminders to keep to task, but they were never in serious danger, hitting the wire with a clear margin and finishing the mile in 1:37.37.
“He’s the kind of horse you have to make sure he knows what he’s doing and keep his attention, but I did not have to do too much today,” Ortiz said.
Pioneering Spirit, last of four through the opening half, made an honest run to be second, 6 1/4 lengths clear of Swiftsure. They outdistanced Johny's Fireball, who was eased to the wire and walked off after finishing.
Film Star, a 5-year-old son of Flatter who races for Ronald P. Stewart, has now won five times from 20 career starts, and pushed his earnings past a half-million. He hinted at his class last year, finishing second in the Grade 2 Woodward Stakes to Zandon last October at Aqueduct, but then was off the board in his final three outings of the season.
Film Star made his first start of 2024 on July 11 at Saratoga, finishing third in an allowance-optional claiming race that set him up for his first stakes win.
“He needed that race,” Rice said. “I may run him back at the end of the meet.”
Rice did not immediately commit to where that spot might be for Film Star, who has never missed the board at Saratoga, but said the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 1 will be considered.
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