SARATOGA SPRINGS —The long-awaited arrival of full capacity horse racing began Thursday, July 15, at the historic Saratoga Racecourse. The meet started as a four-day event in 1863 and is considered to be the oldest organized sporting venue in the country.

Today, the meet covers 40 days of racing, being “dark” on Mondays and Tuesdays until Labor Day weekend. The “SPA” will feature an unheard of 46 graded stakes races with eighteen being G1’s.  The most notable races include the Whitney, Alabama, Diana, Ballerina and the “mid-summer classic” Travers with a purse of $1,250,000, along with two G1 steeplechase races.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has let it be known through media outlets that patrons have to be fully vaccinated; if not, there is a small area for those who are not vaccinated in attendance.  NYRA expects more than a million spectators to pass through the turnstiles during the upcoming summer days. NYRA also anticipates all forms of wagering to surpass the $700,000,000 mark hit in 2020, both on and off track. 

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General Admission will be $7 and clubhouse $10-$12, excluding Travers Day.  There are many sites to purchase tickets in advance, but GA is always available as a walk-up. 

Picnic tables are available at the track for a premium and YES you can bring food and any beverage, but your cooler can only be 12″x18″.  One can consume on the lawn, far turn, and under the trees enjoying the many TV’s and hopefully returning to the windows to “cash” a marginal victory.

*Key: GI= Grade 1 Stakes  |  GII= Grade 2 Stakes  |  GIII= Grade 3 Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced a series of new and returning attractions, entertainment and events for the 2021 season at Saratoga Race Course, which begins Thursday, July 15 and continues through Monday, Sept. 6. Gates open at 11 a.m. each day, including weekends, with the exception of Runhappy Travers Day, Saturday, August 28. Post time for the first race on Opening Day is 1:05 p.m. The 2021 Saratoga summer meet will include the following events and happenings:

OPENING DAY

Thursday, July 15

The Saratoga Summer Meet kicks off with a day-long celebration including a live musical performance from Saratoga Springs-based Soul Session. Thursday’s card features the Quick Call (GIII) and Schuylerville (GIII). Tune in to Talking Horses for in-depth analysis from handicapper Andy Serling and other guests. Presented by RunHappy.

HEALTH CARE HEROES AND FIRST RESPONDERS DAY

Friday, July 16

NYRA will recognize the contributions of health care workers and first responders during the Covid-19 pandemic with a day in their honor, presented by CDPHP. All health care workers and first responders will receive free Grandstand admission with proper ID. The afternoon will include a special trackside performance by the New York State Police Pipes and Drums. Presented by CDPHP.

FASHION CONTEST

Saturday, July 17

Racing fans will be invited to celebrate the tradition of style in thoroughbred racing with a new Fashion Contest with categories for Best Hat, Best Dressed Woman and Best Dressed Man. The event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Whispering Angel Rosé display near the Travers Bar, presented by Moët Hennessy. All fans 21 years of age and older will enjoy complimentary samples of Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé, while supplies last.

BERKSHIRE BANK FAMILY SUNDAYS

Every Sunday beginning July 18 

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays will feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Berkshire Bank Family Fun Zone.

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays are supplemented by the nearby Berkshire Bank Family Zone, a smoke- and alcohol-free interactive play area for children. Additional features include a complimentary phone charging station, courtesy of Berkshire Bank, and a giant Adirondack-style chair designed for photo opportunities.

WEEK 1 RACE SCHEDULE 

Friday, July 16

Racing action continues with the Forbidden Apple (GIII). Tune in to Talking Horses for in-depth analysis from handicapper Andy Serling and other guests.

Saturday, July 17 

Features the Diana (G1) and Sanford (GIII). Tune in to Talking Horses for in-depth analysis from handicapper Andy Serling and other guests.

Sunday, July 18

Features the Coronation Cup. Tune in to Talking Horses for in-depth analysis from handicapper Andy Serling and other guests.

Wednesday, July 21

Features the New York-bred Rick Violette. Tune in to Talking Horses for in-depth analysis from handicapper Andy Serling and other guests.

Thursday, July 22

Features the A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase (G1) and the New York-bred Stillwater. Tune in to Talking Horses for in-depth analysis from handicapper Andy Serling and other guests.

BETS SQUAD: LEARN. BET. WIN.

The Bets Squad is your one-stop-shop to learn how to bet! Learn the different types of bets, how to place a bet, how to read a program, how to use a self-service betting terminal, and how to sign up to bet from your phone on and off-track with NYRA Bets. NYRA Bets allows you to securely deposit electronically and play great racing from Saratoga to Del Mar and across the world online and from anywhere, anytime. The Bets Squad is open daily and can be found at the following locations:

• Outside Clubhouse Exchange

• Under Clubhouse after entering Clubhouse exchange

• Grandstand

• Backyard, close to the Red Spring

• The Stretch (for ticketed guests)

• 1863 Club Lobby (for ticketed guests)
   (NYRA Bets VIP Concierge is located here)

BREAKFAST AT SARATOGA

Tram tour of our famous and historic stable area (weather permitting). The first tram leaves the main Clubhouse entrance at approximately 7:30 a.m. with additional trams leaving approximately every 15 minutes. The last tour departs at around 9 a.m. The Tour is available every race day (there is no breakfast on Runhappy Travers Day, Saturday, August 28). Driven by the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA).

Enjoy a morning buffet on The Clubhouse Porch while the thoroughbreds train on the main track. Breakfast is held daily from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  No reservations are accepted for breakfast dining. $20 for adults and $12 for kids under 12. 

SARATOGA COMMUNITY BOOTH

The Community Outreach Booth program will highlight a total of 40 non-profits throughout the season by sharing information about their work and fundraising initiatives. NYRA will also prominently feature its Community Partner of the Day in the Post Parade racing program which will be available for purchase at select retail locations across the Capital Region as well as throughout the New York City metropolitan area.

July 15: Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Inc

July 16: Northeast Problem Gambling Resource Center

VOLCAN TEQUILA SUMMER MUSIC STAGE

Enjoy live music all day from the Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage, the gazebo located in the middle of the backyard, from 1-5 p.m.

July 15: Soul Session

July 16: The Twangbusters

SARATOGA WALK OF FAME

In 2013, NYRA began recognizing prominent thoroughbred industry owners, trainers and jockeys who have left a significant mark on Saratoga with a commemorative plaque and iconic red Saratoga jacket presented on the eve of the Travers Stakes, Saratoga’s signature race and the nation’s oldest major stakes race for 3-year-olds.

“We hope our guests will enjoy Saratoga’s newest attraction which is designed to highlight the contributions of our industry’s leading pioneers and achievers for decades to come.”

SARATOGA WALKING TOURS

History, highlights, unique architecture, and landscapes at Saratoga Race Course. Approximately 45 minutes. Daily Walking Tours bring the more than 150 years of history within Saratoga Race Course to life. Ever wonder why we ring a bell at 17 minutes to post or why there is a canoe in the lake in the infield? Take a guided tour to get to know The Spa! Tours are scheduled at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. each racing day and costs $3 per person or $10 for a family. For more information on our tours, please contact our Guest Services Department at 518-584-6200 x 4433.

THE WHITNEY VIEWING STAND

The Whitney Viewing Stand is located at the Oklahoma Training Track across the street from Saratoga Race Course. It allows everyone to experience a bird’s-eye view of the horses’ morning training sessions and workouts. This gorgeous landmark was dedicated to the Whitneys – one of thoroughbred racing’s most dedicated and philanthropic families – in 2013 during the Saratoga 150 Celebration. Modeled after the 1892 Judges Stand at the Saratoga Race Course, the Whitney Viewing Stand seeks to keep the rich history of Saratoga alive by combining the new with the old. The Oklahoma Training Track is located across the street from the main Saratoga Race Course track. The easiest way to access the Whitney Viewing Stand is via Gate 21 on East Avenue. The Whitney Viewing Stand is open to the public as follows:

July 15 – September 6: 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. daily

PURCHASING TICKETS

Saratoga Race Course single-day general admission tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com. General admission tickets may also be purchased on the day of the event at all track admission gates. For more information visit nyra.com/saratoga. To order tickets by phone, please call 800-814-7846 or 518-584-6200, ext. 3568. Tickets may be purchased in person, Monday through Sunday during the racing season from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. A limited number of Grandstand seats are on sale each morning of a race day at the Ticket Office at Union Avenue Gate at 9 a.m. Closed Tuesdays. There is a limit of four seats per person.

It is August 1946, the summer after WWII ended. The Saratoga Racetrack had been closed for three years because the war had imposed travel restrictions, which financially ruined the tourist industry. The historical fiction novel Lake Lonely published by Shires Press sits ever present at Northshire Bookstore in Downtown Saratoga Springs. The same town with the same setting within the book. A local author writing about her local town seems cliche but somehow it resonates loudly with heartfelt conviction, especially this year of 2021. With the onset of the pandemic months behind us, one would be remiss not to notice the historical significance of the impact that the parallel storyline has to the countdown of Opening Day at the Saratoga Racetrack this season. Many of us are counting the minutes to be able to walk onto the revered grounds.

The novella, Lake Lonely, is a timely gift to our beloved town in Upstate New York which takes place the weekend prior to the track reopening. The tourists and natives are abuzz with ex citement, ready for the country’s pivotal resurgence. Saratoga Springs finds itself again at the doorway of the opening of our treasured racetrack. We are at a precipice, coming off an abrupt descent from the pandemic months and in hopeful mode on an upswing socially, economically and emotionally. We are a hometown that embodies all the joy feels a vacationland brings. We are drawn to the air of excitement, the tingles, the litany of gathering. We basically worship our beloved track. With that said, what better time to celebrate with a meaningful book experience!

This historical fiction novella started out being a love letter to this beloved destination city. But recently with the pandemic, it has become more significant. We have all gone back to cherishing the simple things. This has stirred up the universal theme of human connection, just like post WWII, the time period of the book. The story within the book is a journey piece. It takes you on an adventure, meandering through the streets and the places of this historical town. The adventure is one of a search for connection resulting from the lonely isolation caused by the war years and significantly relevant to today. A son and his working-class mother. A nephew and his    cantankerous uncle are merging from the isolation. Trying to hold on to the familiar and trying to make sense of the disconnect that had endured. It touches on themes of the American immigrant success story and women entering the work force during that time period. The language, music, film and pop culture references are weaved throughout to create an atmospheric, concise story with a hint of humor. Do not miss the existential soliloquy by the main character within the story.

The Everyman, Nicky B. The 25-year-old main character is relatable as he navigates his way. While yearning for success, he combines moral idealism and fortitude with his ineptitude of trying to get out of his own way. This results in a hilarious romp as the reader views him escalating his own troubles and the laugh out loud moments ensue. His big hearted, cranky Uncle Sallie and his hard working, keen sensed mother Mae, are the ever-present bookends that keep him standing up. That is, when he half listens to their advice without typically shrugging it off.

There are several literary devices used throughout this historical novel. Local book clubs have made this one of their choices for literary discussions. Although the setting is intended to be Saratoga Springs it contains the universal themes of immigration and the effects of the war which lends itself additionally to read for family history discussions. The book also is the perfect read to take to the Victoria Pool or by one of the local lakes. It is a heartwarming escape that will capture you from the first page. If you are gearing up for “Opening Day,” be sure to grab your copy at Northshire Bookstore on Broadway before they sell out. An added bonus, for those who love design is the beautifully rendered artistic cover that will be a focal point on any coffee table. The pages within also contain photographs from that time period in homage to Saratoga Springs courtesy of the Saratoga Springs History Museum. The need of supporting these historic institutions is especially of utmost importance during this time. Be sure to reach out to all of the cities treasured institutions and support them financially even with small donations. Go to muse- ums. Attend music concerts. Buy a book at independent bookstores. The intention of Lake Lonely was to bring to light some of the stories older generations have told us through the years. It is a small story with a big heart. Preservation in all forms is key. Go find your connection. Go find your joy. And most importantly, be grateful for the moments. Happy Opening Day to all!

Sue Jeffreys is a fourth generation Saratoga girl. This is her first novel. Her writing background includes a degree in English Literature and Arts Editor of her college newspaper. An avid reader and writer of all genres. Promoter of the arts. She resides in her historic town with her husband Bill Jeffreys, CPA, CVA. Both are thoroughbred horse owners. Proud mom of two children Drew and Mia. She is owner, collector and seller at Bella Vintage Shoppe. 

An excerpt from the book:

Saratoga Racetrack Opening Day: August 5, 1946

The women were all in ragout mode, dressed to the nines. It was a super duper day to be seen in your fashion finery. The men went all out, too. Dapper Dans with hats on their heads and cigars dangling from their mouths. Patrons carried the local newspaper, The Saratogian with the headline in bold letters announcing, “Crowds Jam City For Return of Racing,” and The New York Post touting the small bettors with their lead story, “Two-Buckers Crowd Spa.” It was a glorious day of all kinds of bettors with a boodle of cash in their pockets parading in, returning after a three year hiatus due to WWII rationing and closures.

The town had been in a holding pattern for those three summers and felt the economic loss along with the loss of spirit. Summer Saratoga gatherings were based around this ritual. With its closure, it left a gaping black hole in the social gathering pot. The gear up to August had lost its momentum until this reopening. The light revelry had descended upon the day and the excitement was contagious. Five thousand people stood in line early to get in for the eight race card that started at 2:30pm on this Monday to enjoy a full afternoon of horsey happenings.  Fun was on everyone’s mind with a unified conviction, looking to take part in this celebration that brought in more than fifteen thousand people on the track grounds. Opening day was back to stay. The people needed this summer venue because it was a ritual that was etched into their souls. Without it, they didn’t feel the same. They felt out of sorts. The magic was missing. Not to mention the economic impact it had. There was no doubt that it felt normal to be back again together at this unified gathering.

In the New York Herald Tribune, it stated that “There are bigger racetracks than Saratoga, but there is none like it.” This was no more apparent just by watching the way the track goers were rushing in to get to their favorite spots. The birds in the elm trees surrounding the paddock also seemed to be singing a tune of celebration. Mae and Sallie were hanging by the Clubhouse entrance as Jimmy Jazz strolled in after handing over his $1.60 admission fee and said to Mae, “Look at you, pure aces today!” Sal and Jimmy hugged it out. Their deep friendship bond seeping out between them, then stepped back and did the fist on top to bottom handshake. Jimmy with his warm grin said, “Flip the grip, my main man.” Mae screeched out in sarcasm, “You two bums, let’s get over to The Jim Dandy Bar before it gets crowded. I need to get my spot front and center at the bar before all those hussies try to make their moves on both you guys.” They began walking up the path leading into the Clubhouse, Mae in the middle with her arms entrenched in both mens arms. She looked at each of them out of the corner of her eyes and thought to herself, “I am one lucky lady!” but deep in her mind all she was thinking about was her
son’s whereabouts.

There are a couple of words that could describe the feeling and emotion around the Saratoga Racecourse backstretch as this year’s meet begins on July 15: excitement and optimism.

While last year’s meet was successful for many trainers and their staff, the COVID-19 pandemic stifled some of their excitement that would have been shared with fans and other people.

A year later, a lot of people around the backstretch are looking forward to the meet, especially since Saratoga Racecourse has been opened for training on the main track since April 17 with the Oklahoma Training Track starting almost a month later following its renovations.

One of those trainers is Hall of Famer Nick Zito, who has been a fixture near the Oklahoma Training Track since the mid-1970s with notable horses that include Kentucky Derby winners Strike the Gold and Go for Gin, Belmont and Travers winner Birdstone, and two-time Whitney winner Commentator.

“Of course, that’s what everyone wants – a sense of normalcy,” he said, “Obviously, there are going to be some wonderful horses coming up here. It should be a good meet. I hope everything goes smoothly. For the fans, they should see some wonderful racing. They always do.”

Some of the horses who are already on the Saratoga grounds include last year’s Alabama winner Swiss Skydiver, multiple Grade 1 stakes winner and last year’s Sword Dancer winner Channel Maker, and several of Chad Brown’s graded stakes winners.

Meanwhile, there are other trainers who are hoping to capitalize on last year’s success.

Jorge Abreu is one of those trainers after finishing 10th in the standings by winning 10-of-31 races with horses like Liveyourbeastlife, who won an allowance race before finishing second in the Jim Dandy Stakes, and Myhartblongstodady, winner of the Yaddo Stakes. Along with some of last year’s runners, Abreu has 45 2-year-olds who are currently training between Saratoga and Belmont.

“Last year, I had a great meet,” he said. “This year, it seems like my horses are even better, especially with my 2-year-olds. With the babies, when you start pressing on them, it will come down to how they react.”

Even though Abreu had a good Saratoga season, he had concerns about staying afloat as the pandemic forced a pause on New York racing last spring and going into the summer prior to the Saratoga meet.

“It was that bad,” he said. “Last summer, some of the owners took their horses back to the farm, which was the right thing to do. You are training horses for 4-6 months without knowing when racing will resume. We were pretty lucky to have a job and keep the racing going.”

With that part behind him, Abreu is also looking forward to seeing fans return to Saratoga for the 40-day season.

“We miss that action,” he said. “Having a grandstand that was empty wasn’t fun. I have been coming here since 1984. It has always been packed and crowded.”

The Bond Racing Team, with H. James “Jim” Bond as the trainer, is also hoping to come back for another strong Saratoga season following eighth-place tie in winning 12-of-40 races. Two horses that led the stable were Rinaldi, who won an allowance race before taking West Point Stakes, and Prioritize, also a winner of an allowance race who later finished third in the Woodward Handicap.

“We definitely had a successful meet last year,” said Ryan Bond, one of the Bond’s sons and assistant. “Horses were just missing [to finish first] at Belmont. They were very competitive in the spots. It was nice to get our noses down on a couple of those tight races.”

Though, Ryan Bond acknowledged that it was difficult to celebrate those wins without fans or some owners due to the pandemic.

“It was a little strange to have nobody to celebrate with it,” he said. “We couldn’t high-five owners. It was like a morning workout scenario, but with a little bit of cheering for your horse. You didn’t have anyone screaming along with you.”

The Bond family, who has a solid base in the Saratoga region with its Song Hill Thoroughbred Farm in Mechanicville, has seen the area become a little more relaxed and happy over the past couple of months.

“It is nice to see people smile again,” Ryan Bond said. “It seems like everyone has dropped their guard a little bit and shaking hands. I think everyone is happy it is at the back end of it.”

Carmouche to Cook for Principessa Elena Society

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche is planning to cook his increasingly famous gumbo at the Principessa Elena Society at 13 Oak Street on Monday, July 19 for members and their guests to benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

Carmouche is looking to resume riding at Saratoga after suffering a broken right ankle after Kentucky Pharoah unseated him coming out of the gate in the last race on Belmont Stakes Day.

The cost is $25 per person and the event will run from 6-9 p.m. For more information, contact Fran LaBelle at 518-506-0705. 

Main photo/last photo in gallery by Super Source Media. Other photos provided.

The 2021 racing season at Saratoga Race Course begins July 15.

Week 1 will contain 6 stakes races, 5 of them graded, including the Grade 1 Diana for fillies and mares and the historic Sanford for two-year-olds. Traditionally the first weekend of the season focuses on two-year-olds and older grass fillies and mares.

The Diana will highlight Saturday’s card. On the grass at a mile and one-eighth it offers a purse of $500,000. Trainer Chad Brown has won this race the last 5 years and is expected again to have numerous entries. The Diana typically showcases the top grass fillies and mares in the country. Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez has won the Diana a record 6 times, including 2 of the last 3. 

This year the favorite in a small field could be Mean Mary a prolific grass winner trained by H. Graham Motion. Her main competition is expected to be Harvey’s Lil Goil a beautiful gray stakes winning daughter of American Pharoah trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado. The filly was hampered in her last start when she lost to Mean Mary by a yielding turf course and would prefer a firm course unsoftened by rain. Also running will be a powerful pair of runners from overseas – Althiqa and the aptly named Summer Romance coming off a 1-2 finish in Belmont’s recent Just a Game Stakes. The Godolphin owned pair are trained by Charlie Appleby.  The Chad Brown contingent will be led by Pocket Square who was fifth to the Godolphin pair in her previous race.

Saturday will also feature the Sanford which will be run at 6 furlongs. The Sanford, first run in 1913, has seen Triple Crown winners Secretariat and Affirmed rise to prominence through wins but is most remembered as the only race in which all-time great Man o’War was beaten. Man o’War’s loss to Upset in this race in 1919 helped establish Saratoga Race Course’s reputation as “The Graveyard of Champions”. Man o’War’s loss in the Sanford was his only loss in twenty one starts. In the 1913 Sanford Man o’War was unprepared for the start and then was the victim of a terrible ride by his jockey Johnny Loftus. That he almost won the race was actually enhanced his already formidable reputation.

This year’s Sanford is expected to be the second start for Mike Repole’s Wit. Wit was an impressive winner for trainer Todd Pletcher (who will be inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in August) in his first start on the Belmont under card overcoming a slow start to win going away.

Opening Day Thursday July 15 will feature two Grade III sprints – The Quick Call for three-year-olds on the grass at 5 ½ furlong and the Schuylerville for two-year-old fillies at 6 furlongs. 

The Quick Call is named for a durable gelding who started 86 times and ran at Saratoga each year from 1986 – 1991. Quick Call’s victories included the Forego Handicap in 1988 and 1989, just missing a third consecutive win of the Forego in 1990—losing by a nose. Quick Call lived to the extended age of 35 and was honored by having his ashes buried on the Saratoga Race Course grounds at Clare Court a training track on the grounds. A quick competitive field is expected.

The Schuylerville is an opportunity for two-year-old fillies to gain the coveted stakes race “black type” which will enhance their broodmare prospects and value. Trainers Todd Pletcher and d. Wayne Lucas have each won the race 6 times. The Schuylerville is the traditional stakes race on opening day and like the Diana jockey John Velazquez has had the most wins by a rider with 5. Happy Soul, a daughter of Runhappy trained by former rider Wesley Ward is expected to be the favorite off her two recent wins at Belmont Park.

Friday’s stakes race is the Forbidden Apple at one mile on the grass. The race was not run last year and has only been run at Saratoga in 2019. 

Sunday sees the fourth straight day of stakes action with the Coronation Cup on the grass at 5 ½ furlongs for three-year-old fillies.

If you were raised here or have spent time in Saratoga during racing season, chances are that you know the jingle mentioned in the above title. The words have a special meaning to fans throughout the horse racing universe. Since its inception in 1863, Saratoga has strived to present “The finest racing in the world.” 

The track has played host to a myriad of the greatest horses that ever graced the American Turf. Man O’ War, Secretariat, Buckpasser, Kelso, American Pharaoh and so many enormously talented thoroughbred champions have thrilled generations of fans who have made their way to this Mecca of Racing. 

A once-in-a-lifetime earthshaking event, the onset of Covid-19, in effect derailed the entire sports world last year. Major League Baseball teams played their games in front of cardboard cutouts. Professional basketball and the NFL faced similar constraints. Horse racing was no exception to the new covid rules. There would be racing at Saratoga for wagering purposes only. The racing meet technically speaking took place at the Spa. Fans however would not be admitted to the track. As for its impact on the city, it may as well have been run on another continent. Saratoga like so much of America was a ghost town. The normally thriving hotels saw empty rooms and desolated parking lots. Restaurant owners were mostly relegated with to go orders. Despair and hopelessness became the norm. Then American ingenuity took command of the situation. It came in the way of a government-led coalition with pharmaceutical companies asked to do the impossible. In less than a year a miracle took place. A highly effective vaccine was created. Within six months it had brought the dreaded Covid to its knees. The sporting world along with the rest of society’s norms are thriving again. Which means as the following subtitle suggests.

All ROADS LEAD TO SARATOGA

The festivities are about to begin. Mark it on your calendar, Thursday, July 15, 2021. At 11 in the morning, the gates of the ancient racecourse will open again and the two-year hiatus will be over. Saratoga is primed for a season to topple all prior records. If history has taught us anything, it does repeat itself. 1946 was the last time the track reopened to the public in the post World War Two era. Opening day the fans came out in droves to welcome back the Grand Dame of American racing. Over 15,000 fans converged on the grounds. It was in that timeframe a massive crowd attended a weekday racing card. 

Changing times have made Saratoga more accessible with the advent of modern transportation, superior accommodations, and fabulous restaurants. This along with a city filled with wonders that have similarities to some of Europe’s great capitols has made Saratoga “The Summer Place To Be.” 

A walk down Broadway has the feel of the world’s greatest boulevard, the Champs Elysee. With it’s outdoor dining, the street musicians, and the huge crowds that are drawn here, one can sense the experience of Paris on a warm summer night. Close by is one of Saratoga’s more beautiful settings. Congress Park is a marvel of architecture and landscaping. It has an uncanny resemblance to Rome’s fabulous public grounds, the Villa Borghese. A stroll through the park leads to Union Avenue. With its staid mansions and wide expanse, it is the perfect setting leading to the racetrack entrance. 

Now it’s time for what Saratoga is famous for, horse racing on a grand scale. It’s opening day and the old stands will overflow with a crowd that is as diverse as the sporting world can offer. The paddock area will be filled with fans that enjoy the outdoor picnic tables. The clubhouse restaurants will be alive with those who appreciate a more traditional approach to a day at the races. The box seat area will play host to the dignitaries and hierarchy of the racing world. Here you can feel history. The great purveyors of the American Turf were at home here. The Whitneys, Vanderbilt and the Wideners once graced these same box seats during the glory years of the sport. The options don’t end there. Thousands of reserved seats are available for those who appreciate a fine view of the races in a relaxed atmosphere. Then there is the backbone of the racing game, the true horseplayer. He doesn’t care if he sits or stands. He’s not at the track for the food or the sightseeing. He comes from cities and towns across the country to try his luck at the Spa. This is the guy that goes out after the races, win or lose, has a bite to eat and a couple of drinks. He knows the score and won’t disappoint when it comes time to leave the tip. 

Expect to see them all this coming Thursday. The thrills begin at 1 p.m. It is now post time. The massive crowd awaits. The tension builds. The bell rings. The starting gate opens. And they’re off at Saratoga…

Since 1984 the thoroughbred racing world has had its own end-of-the-year championship races.

First dubbed the Breeders’ Cup and then later changed to Breeders’ Cup World Championship, the two-day event to be run on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7 consists of 14 races in numerous categories for total purses of $31 million. The large purses offered lure the best horses from both the United States and abroad to determine champion status at year end.

The races are conducted in moving locations with this years’ renewal being held at Keeneland Race Course, without fans due to Covid-19 concerns, in the blue grass of Lexington Kentucky ­— the heart of thoroughbred breeding country. The races were designed to give thoroughbred racing a crowning year-end event similar to the Super Bowl, World Series or NBA or NHL playoffs. Due to the time of year and weather concerns Saratoga Race Course has yet to host the event but each year horses that raced here in Saratoga compete in these races.

This year’ renewal has a particular Saratoga influence as locally-owned Tiz The Law, this year’s Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes winner, will be competing in the Breeder’s Cup Classic for a purse of $6 million with the victor likely to garner Horse of The Year honors.  Run at the same mile and one-quarter classic distance as the Travers Stakes, this will mark the first time Tiz The Law has competed against older horses rather than the three-year-old crop he has exclusively faced this year. Typically, three-year-old thoroughbreds mature enough by the fall of their three-year-old year to compete against the older stronger horses and have fared well in this race, including winning last year’s running by Vino Rosso. 

Owned by a group of Saratoga locals led by Jack Knowlton under the same Sackatoga Stables name that owned 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funnycide, Tiz The Law was born in New York at Sequel Farm in Hudson, New York rather than in the lush blue grass of Kentucky on March 19, (St. Joseph’s Day) 2017.  After spending the obligatory 90 days in New York to qualify as a New York bred for racing purposes he went to Kentucky to grow and develop. Tiz The Law returned to New York in August 2018 where he was sold at auction to the Sackatoga group at the Fasig-Tipton sales here in Saratoga for $110,000.

Tiz The Law won the two big races run in New York for three-year-olds the Belmont and Travers putting him in contention for both three-year-old of the year and Horse of the Year honors. His performance in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic will determine those titles. As a well-bred classic winner, he most certainly will be a stallion prospect when his racing days are concluded. 

Tiz the Law is trained by Barclay Tagg and ridden by Manny Franco. He is projected to be among the middle betting choices in the race behind betting favorite behind the Bob Baffert trained entries – Improbable, Maximum Security and Authentic.

Another Saratoga race meeting, albeit a strange one, has recently ended and despite the lack of on track fans, handicappers scanned past performances and used handicapping tools new and old to discern winners and value. While the tools have been greatly expanded over the years with easy access to video replay and ever more sophisticated speed and pace figures, the mission remains the same – pick winners. Any handicapper will tell you how frustrating the chase can be but also how rewarding.

This article is meant to explore how and why the Saratoga race meet is different than most. I like to say the race meeting is about humans not horses. Saratoga is a high-profile niche meet that holds historical and aesthetic significance beyond dollars. Often when dollars and cents are in play those off the track often exceed those that are earned on the track. For that reason there is an additional element that is hard to quantify in a pace figure or on paper – it is human emotion and desire. 

Those of us who have owned or trained horses will tell you how difficult it is to win a race and that there are a million ways to lose a race. Each trip to the Winner’s Circle should be enjoyed as the accomplishment it is regardless of the time of year or conditions under which it occurs but human nature being what it is it simply is not. Due to its high profile a win at Saratoga simply has a high value that exceeds its cost.

Notably in normal years, a splashy performance by a runner at Saratoga during sales week can slingshot its sire to unexpected levels in that week’s select sales. An eye-popping first time starter by a new sire is immeasurably more valuable sales week than it is the rest of the year and this is not lost on the human connections. It is not a coincidence that two year maiden special weights are full in the days preceding the yearling sales and it is not uncommon for owners to save well-meant first time starters for that week in hopes of sparking interest in
the bloodlines.

These emotional and less obvious reasons make winning at Saratoga more rewarding to certain connections than winning elsewhere – even if the overall annual dollars earned are fewer by waiting for the spa meet.

No discussion of aiming for Saratoga would be complete without a discussion of one of the grandest Saratoga-aimers of all-time- G.P. Odom. George Odom known as Major or Maje since he was a child was born in 1906 and was winning races at Saratoga until 1987. From a racing family (his father was a jockey and trainer, and part of the 1955 inaugural class of inductees to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame) he went to Columbia University and then to work on Wall Street in 1930.  He was quoted as saying “Bad timing. People were jumping out of windows so fast you had to watch out or they’d fall on you and crush you. Then in 1932, President Roosevelt declared the bank holiday. Well, I went to the races for the holiday and stayed there.”

Maje Odom loved to cash a bet and it has been recalled that he won so much money on his 1938 Belmont Stakes winner – Pasteurize – surviving a foul claim at a plush 8-1 in a six horse field – that he bought an airplane! When later in his career he ceased training a public stable he settled into training primarily for he and his wife Mary and aimed for Saratoga. Each year he would start in March or April on the farm, have the requisite public works at Delaware Park in the months leading to Saratoga and head to the spa ready for bear.  He won a race at Saratoga nearly every year until his final starter Waggley won on August 23, 1987. They were always well-meant and fast, and many were first time starters or off a lay-off. More often than not they scored as planned.  To those who remembered from year to year it was a ritual and meant all was right with the world when one of his horses was well-bet and ran to it at Saratoga. Those that didn’t remember got to tear up tickets.

Today trainer statistics are readily available and Maje Odom’s 30% winning percentage would be common knowledge. But what about the less obvious owner statistics? We all know of the owners who actively seek the owner title and run horses every day in all sorts of spots to garner wins.  They command most of the attention but what is more difficult to discern are the connections who aim for this meet but have limited starters.

Below is my list of owners who tend to run better at Saratoga than elsewhere who even in this very odd year showed peak performance in Saratoga. Mark them for next year as well. Including their horses even when conventional handicapping tools and methods don’t point to them will provide you with an opportunity to have a few hidden winners and even more live competitors at compelling prices.

Trainers to watch:
• James Bond – that’s worth repeating James Bond. A locally based family operation that absolutely excels at Saratoga.
• David Donk – the phrase “Honk if you like Donk” will echo in your head as one long priced winner after anther hits the wire first.
• Roy S. Lerman – very few runners, very long prices but springs in the money finishes each year

Owners to watch include:
• Peter J. Callahan • William L. Clifton, Jr.
• Roy S. Lerman • Roddy J. Valente
• Patricia Generazio • Alex G. Campbell, Jr.

Each of these owners, for varying reasons, finds the added excitement and fun that a win at Saratoga brings worth striving for all year. What is more important is that each of them has proven they know how to target Saratoga successfully. Scanning the owner listings each morning for these owners will yield surprising results.

Saratoga racing – it’s as much about people as it is about horses.

William G. Gotimer, Jr. is a Saratoga resident and life-long racing fan and owner. He is a practicing attorney specializing in corporate and business transactions with numerous racing participants as clients. He may be reached at wgotimer@verizon.net

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) successfully concluded its 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course without interruption and with all-sources handle topping $700 million for the second consecutive year. 

Highlighted by Tiz the Law’s dominant performance in winning the 151st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Runhappy Travers, the meet was conducted without spectators and with only a limited number of essential personnel, horsemen and owners on-site due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

All-sources handle for the 2020 summer meet totaled $702,535,468 compared to $705,343,949 wagered from all sources on Saratoga in 2019.

Average daily handle for the 40-day meet was $17,563,387. The 2019 meet, which was run across 39 days due to the cancellation of a full card due to weather, generated average daily handle of $18,085,742.

Pari-mutuel wagering funds the majority of the NYRA purse account, which is awarded to horsemen and, in turn, benefits hundreds of small businesses operating at NYRA tracks and others dependent on the thoroughbred racing industry.

While the 2020 Saratoga meet was a success in many ways, it will most be remembered for the absence of our passionate fans and the irreplaceable energy that they bring to Saratoga each summer. Despite not being able to attend in person, horseplayers watched and wagered with tremendous enthusiasm, and we thank them for their continued support,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O’Rourke. “We would also like to thank city and county leaders for their efforts in working with us to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, and the Saratoga community for welcoming us without reservation.” 

A total of 409 races were run this summer including 226 on dirt and 183 on the turf. 32 races were taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size over the 409 races was 7.4. This compares to 403 total races run in 2019, including 225 on dirt and 178 on turf. 38 were taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size in 2019 was 7.9.

New York state currently requires all racetracks to operate without spectators in attendance to combat the spread of COVID-19. 

As the Saratoga Race Course season ends its 2020 season, James W. Ferraro is also wrapping up his 30th year as a trainer at the track. While he may not be a household name to current horse racing fans, he does come from a unique horse racing background that does merit some attention. 

His father – James Ferraro – was a trainer and later a bloodstock agent, as well as a close friend to late Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens, often known as “The Chief.” Because of that, the younger Ferraro had good insight on training horses.

“My father and him were good friends,” he said. “Some of my best memories are going out to dinner with them and listen to them talk about training philosophies, taking care of horses, how to handle certain problems, and what to do about them.” 

After spending his teenage years by helping his father train horses, Ferraro eventually became a stablehand for Jerkens from 1974-1977. At that point, “The Chief” thought it was time for Ferraro to train horses on his own.

“He said get out there and learn now,” Ferraro said. “His theory was go out there and start training because you are going to make the same mistakes now that you will also make five years from now.  I learned that from both my father and the Chief. I knew I could always go back to them for advice.” 

As soon as he got his trainer’s license, Ferraro saddled his first winner with a maiden claimer coincidently named Talking Partner on Dec. 20, 1977 at Aqueduct, which has been part of his home base for over three decades.

Ferraro’s thought of coming to Saratoga didn’t happen until three years later after his first winner. When Ferraro came to Saratoga, he made it worth the trip with just two horses: Lorine who finished first and second in two claiming races, and Table for John, who was second twice in an allowance race. 

While Ferraro continued to train horses throughout the 1980s, his father stopped training horses to become a bloodstock agent.

It has been reported that his father was the one who helped Sam Rubin purchase the great Hall of Fame gelding John Henry for $25,000. Later, John Henry earned several accolades that include becoming the oldest horse to win the Eclipse Award for Horse and a Grade 1 race at the age of 9 in 1984 after earning the same honor in 1981.

Over the years, the younger Ferraro has posted a respectable career with more than 300 winners and earnings over $11 million from horses that include New York-bred stakes-winning mares Double Dee’s, Board Elligible and Aunt Babe. However, there is still a mare who has Ferraro’s memory: Courageous Karen, whose 2-of-10 career wins came at Saratoga.

Even though she never won a stakes race, Courageous Karen was a versatile mare on both turf and off track. In fact, Ferraro recalls one moment at Saratoga where she dominated an off-the-turf event in 1988. 

“We had shipped up here a day before the race, which was supposed to be on the turf,” Ferraro said. “That night, it started downpouring. That filly won on the turf, but she loved the mud, too. Once that race came off the turf, she took off and won. I still remember that race well.” 

Today at 64-years-old, Ferraro believes his “old school” style of training is still effective for his stable, just as he learned from his father and “The Chief.” However, he doesn’t dismiss some of today’s technology and science that can benefit horses.

“That was definitely old school then with the way they took care of problems with the horses,” Ferraro said about their approach to training horses. “Years ago, you were able to give horses time. You didn’t necessarily rely so much on the veterinarians. I’m not closed-minded. I try to mix it up a little bit. You have to still use technology and modern medications.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March that halted New York racing, it seemed like things were moving forward for Ferraro as his horses found the Winner’s Circle at Aqueduct five times while finishing in-the-money 10 other times. However, with New York racing not resuming until the beginning of June at Belmont, some of his horses were kept on idle. 

“Some of my horses were taken out of training and they lost all of that conditioning,” he said. “All we did was hand-walk them for 45 days. That’s kind of frustrating because you see the track right there and you are losing conditioning every day.”

Now that racing has resumed, Ferraro’s horses have gotten back into shape with two of them winning near the end of the Belmont meet and Bank Gala winning her first career race halfway through the Saratoga meet. 

“We had a slow start at Belmont, then we picked up a couple of wins during the last week,” Ferraro said. “Saratoga is nearly impossible to win up here, especially with small stables.”

As challenging as it may be to compete at Saratoga, Ferraro, who is on multiple committees for the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association that include backstretch and safety, as well as a representative for the trainers, still enjoys the scene and people around the Saratoga backstretch. 

“Saratoga is fantastic,” he said. “A lot of people say the same thing. It’s that banter. Even though we are very competitive, we are close-knit. We rekindle friendships. It’s that comradery.”