Short Legs, Big Dreams: Corgis and Wieners Race in Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It was a dog-gone, paws-itively beautiful night as the warm evening air above the Saratoga Casino was filled with a chorus of barking wieners.

On Saturday, the casino’s harness track hosted a battalion of furrier, much smaller competitors during a wiener dog race that followed the third horse race of the night. Buoyant, bouncing wieners trotted onto the track. Some, clearly, had done this before. Others seemed happy just to be there.

When the race began, three Dachshunds bolted for the finish line, arriving there in about 5 seconds. The victor, Maple Sausage, ran relatively steady and true. The second and third place finishers, Granny and Gus, weaved a bit but ultimately earned their ribbons.

The aptly named Granny was the race’s oldest competitor at 15 years, and her owner is Jack Carpenter, co-founder of the local social media company Two Buttons Deep.

Nearly every bench near the track had at least one racing fan stationed on it, whether there for horses or wieners or both. The event also featured a corn dog contest and a puppy meet-and-greet. The spectacle set the stage for what was to come the following day: a five-race Corgi Cup competition at the Saratoga Race Course.

48 Corgis registered for the event, including a trio dubbed the “Corgs of War,” who were the heavy favorites thanks to prior victories in races held by NFL teams. Ares, named after the Greek god of war and courage, had previously won two Corgi Cups with the Buffalo Bills. Athena, named for the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, was the 2024 New York Giants Corgi Cup champion. And Tails, who apparently does not share a name with a Greek god, won a Corgi Cup with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Four qualifying heats took place throughout the afternoon on Sunday. The top three finishers from each heat advanced to the championship round, which featured a 12-Corgi field that went to post shortly after the 7th (horse) race. Each sprint was run at a 40-yard distance, and the action was broadcast on FOX Sports (FS1) for the world to see. Fans were not able to bet on the Corgis via the official NYRA Bets app, though it’s likely some wagers were placed off the books.

The first heat was star-studded. Horse trainer Jena Antonucci, the first woman to win a Triple Crown race, ran her pup Mando. “This is stressful right now,” Antonucci said as she readied her Corgi at the starting gate. Fenway Frank, owned by a Glens Falls resident who used to bus tables at the track, was another popular favorite heading into the qualifier. But neither Corg could contend with the god of war himself, Ares, who flew to the finish in just 5.17 seconds.

The second heat featured a number of local dogs, including Oly from Halfmoon, Spike from Troy, and Finn from Mechanicville. Another Corg of War, Athena, was unexpectedly challenged in this qualifier by Norman, who made his racing debut at the Spa. “Short legs, big dreams,” said Norman’s owner. But the dreamer couldn’t overcome the goddess, and the warrior clan of Corgis secured their second victory of the day, thwarting Norman’s near-Cinderella story.

The third heat featured Abbey, a Saratoga resident whose owner runs the Springwater Bed and Breakfast, and who has wheels attached to her hind legs. Abbey entered the race despite being unable to walk just six months ago. The brave soul took her time wheeling forward, but did so with the support of the spectators, who erupted in applause when she crossed the finish line.

Ultimately, the third qualifier was won by Kona, in a massive upset that left the third Corg of War, Tails, in the dust. Kona recorded a time of 5.27 seconds, the second-fastest of the day at that point. “This boy will run anywhere for his treats,” Kona’s owner said in a post-race interview with FOX Sports’ Maggie Wolfendale.

The final heat featured no Corgs of War, leaving the field wide open. Sam, who had secured the 8th post position, prevailed in dominant fashion, winning in 5.33 seconds. “Sam’s got a little crazy in him so he’s able to go real fast when he wants to,” said Sam’s owners after the race. 

Both Sam and the Corgs of War are members of the Long Island Corgi Club. All of them, familiar with each other’s talents, knew that the Corgi Cup would be a mighty challenge. 

Ares entered the championship as the favorite thanks to his record-setting time. But Sam made it known he would not shrink quietly into the night by relieving himself at the rail on his way to the track. “My stomach turns every time I come out here, very nervous,” said Ares’ owner. The pups were feisty at the gate, barking and yowling with anticipation.

Out of the gate, Sam trailed behind a heap of Corgis, any one of whom could’ve prevailed. But then Sam found within himself a mighty dose of determination. He launched into high gear and secured the Corgi Cup title. Draped in red flowers and hoisted above human heads, as if to suggest his god-like status, Sam was awarded the Corgi Cup, a silver trophy stuffed with red Saratoga tennis balls that was bigger than his entire body.