A Nice Start (watch, stand and cheer)
Boosted by good weather and competitive quality racing Saratoga Race Course opened its season successfully with increases in both attendance and handle. Racing fans did not let the recent Belmont Stakes meet dampen their enthusiasm for the beginning of the longer stint. From here the racing kicks into high gear in the coming weeks with Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In races expected to draw some of the biggest names in racing.
The first four days of racing were won by a wide array of trainers and jockeys unlike previous years when top riders and trainers dominated most days. The races featured several long-priced horses and truly was reminiscent of Saratoga Meets of years gone by.
While I am not privy to concession information, it appeared to me that the crowds have largely abandoned most concession offerings at the course. Whether it be due to high prices or the move to card purchase only, or a combination thereof, the concession stands appeared devoid of traffic. For people of a certain age the “Maytag Repairman” comes to mind.
One notable change from recent years was the decision in the stewards’ stand to disqualify a winner on Sunday for herding the competition. While the runner-up was interfered with, recent history would dictate that there would not have been a disqualification. This may portend a stricter interpretation of racing rules by the current slate of stewards.
The length of the racing day continues to be too long with most fans attending only part of the day rather than the full card. While this makes full use of the facility, it can make it seem somewhat empty by the end of the day, sometimes even for the most prestigious races. The grandstand seats appear to be half empty which of course lessons the excitement of the live event. Consideration should be given (at least on weekdays) to shortening the time of the card to encourage and permit fans to attend each and every Saratoga race without it being an eight-hour day
Saratoga racing’s spot on the calendar typically places it in opposition to several national and international events. This year the Paris Olympics and Presidential political conventions will vie for attention just as Saratoga racing will have more television exposure than ever before. this year through its agreement with Fox TV than ever before. The ongoing efforts to have racing available on television with commentary designed for the everyday player has been a welcome evolution and one has made racing more mainstream than in prior decades. All involved should be commended for the effort and the consistent expansion of televised races on numerous outlets.
Watching races live, I sometimes feel like a dinosaur when I watch the races with my binoculars. This of course was de rigueur before large screen televisions were installed. Binoculars with a wide vision can allow you to watch the entire field from a good vantage point. However, over the years the sight lines at various race tracks have changed dramatically with more and more viewers and fans relying upon large screen televisions. The televisions allow casual fans and people uncomfortable with binoculars to follow the race as if they were watching it at home. The downside, however, is the large screen along with the board and other objects in the infield tend to obstruct the view of watching the race live. There was a time when fans could easily see the races with their naked eyes or through binoculars. That has changed.
What has also changed sadly, and which takes away some of the excitement and the races are the fans that sit motionless in the grandstand or clubhouse seats. With the reliance now on televisions people simply sit and stare. It’s not a welcome development.
An incident between me and an unhinged patron last weekend brought this to my attention. I was criticized and cursed profusely for daring to stand up during the stretch run of the Sanford Stakes. He was irate that people would stand during a race and wished my immediate and untimely death upon me. While his profanity and threats brought the Pinkertons, it made me realize that somehow live racing has changed from a participant sport to a polite viewing, eating and drinking experience. I would hope fans would find it in themselves to stand a few times a day when the races are run, view it live and cheer a little. Try binoculars – you may like it.