In an exciting week for Horse of the Year candidate Flightline and his ownership group, Hawker provided new success for some of the same connections with a maiden triumph on the turf at Santa Anita on Saturday evening.

Like Flightline, John Sadler trains Hawker for racing partners West Point and Hronis Racing.

Hawker, a 3-year-old son of Triple Crown hero Justify, aced a cutback in distance, pouncing from just off the pace on the Hillside course with a terrific ride from Kazushi Kimura.

The victory was the third for West Point in two days.

Earlier Saturday, 3-year-old colt Cagliostro poured it on in the stretch at Fair Grounds to break his maiden impressively in his second career start.

Cagliostro, a son of Upstart acquired at the OBS April sale of 2-year-olds in training, drew off to win by 3 1/2 lengths underneath Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano.

Marcus Hersh of Daily Racing Form wrote, “Could be a serious horse there … Cagliostro, 2nd-time starter, 1st out since Saratoga, breaks poorly, pinched back to last, mild backstretch progress, comes 4-to-5 wide [with] no cover second turn, still wins easily rallying into a slow pace.” 

Cherie DeVaux trains Cagliostro for a partnership that also includes Talla Racing, James Spry, Nice Guys Stables and Cherie’s husband David Ingordo.

Perfect Prank got things going on Friday with a 5-length score at Sam Houston Race Park, soaring through along the rail with Stewart Elliott in the irons for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.