For more than a decade, attorneys Wesley Lawrence and Elizabeth Kruska have entertained horse racing fans and others in the industry with a parody Twitter account based on the late Saratoga infield goose, which has also gotten them involved as owners and aftercare.

There are many social media parody accounts that personalize dogs, cats, and even horses.

However, there is one Twitter account that has been migrating around the horse racing community for more than a decade: the Spa Infield Goose.

The parody account, which now has over 7,000 followers, was created by Vermont attorneys Wesley Lawrence and Elizabeth Kruska 12 years ago when they were at Saratoga Race Course.

While watching the Olympics in between races from their clubhouse seats, both of them were captivated by an unusual goose, named “Lippy” for having part of a missing beak, meandering around the infield and the pond that is the host for the Travers canoe.

That’s when they had some ideas flying through their mind.

“We thought this goose has seen a lot of things,” Lawrence said. “It would be funny if [we had something] from the perspective of the goose with the ongoings of the track.”

It was an opportunity since also animal-related accounts emerged during that time: The Bronx Zoo Cobra, Rafalca Romney (the dressage horse for U.S. Senator Mitt Romney), Gator Kitten, and Juba (the Gray) who raced at Saratoga.

“It was the peak of animal parody accounts at the time,” Kruska said. “At first, we didn’t know what to expect. We sometimes do joke that many people talk to a goose. At the same time, we work at it. It’s fun, and it’s a lot of observational stuff. You have to keep it up.”

Not only does the Spa Infield Goose account continue to attract followers, it has also brought Lawrence and Kruska further into the sport as fans, owners, and even aftercare.

“It is surprising on the connections that we have made and people who we have met by virtue of it,” Lawrence said. “It has helped us professionally and being observant and analytical to the details by walking around here.”

Prior to handling the parody Twitter account, Lawrence and Kruska had some interest and background as horse racing fans.

Growing up in New Jersey and central Long Island, Lawrence came from a family who enjoyed horse racing that included his father, who often attended the Kentucky Derby while attending the University of Louisville, as well as his grandparents who started bringing Lawrence to Monmouth Park when he was seven years old.

By 18, Lawrence occasionally went to the Meadowlands while attending the University of Delaware before going to Vermont Law School where he later met Kruska.

Both of them started going to the racetrack together in 2008 for races that included Big Brown’s Triple Crown campaign, then that followed with Rachel Alexandra’s 3-year-old season with the Preakness and Woodward Stakes.

During the first couple of years as the Spa Infield Goose on Twitter, Lawrence and Kruska interacted with many horse racing fans, as well as those in the industry. By 2015, that interaction guided them into becoming an owner of the Thoroughbred horses through Zilla Racing Stables based in Guilderland.

Their first horse, Benevolence, graduated from the maiden ranks at Saratoga in July 2016, then the New York-bred gelding was claimed nearly two years later. From there, Lawrence and Kruska bought into more horses that included their favorite horse English Soul.

Starting her career with a second-place finish at Saratoga near the end of August 2017, then following that a victory in the East View Stakes, English Soul came back to Saratoga a year later to beat Take Charge Aubrey by a nose in the Fleet Indian Stakes.

At the Keeneland Breeding Stock Sales in November 2019, Calumet Farm bought English Soul for $170,000 and raced just four more times before starting a career as a broodmare.

However, after unsuccessful attempts at breeding and little interest in racing, English Soul’s future was a little uncertain. That was until Lawrence and Kruska visited Calumet Farm during the Kentucky Derby weekend in 2021.

“They raced her and they were going to breed her,” Lawrence said. “She couldn’t be bred and didn’t want to race anymore. When we visited her, they knew the connection and asked if we wanted her. So, then decided to take back the mare.”

The thought of Thoroughbred aftercare was not a new concept for both Lawrence and Kruska. Along with their interactions through Twitter, they became familiar in aftercare after visiting an information table while attending the Mass Cap at Suffolk Downs in 2008 – the last edition of the race which was won by Commentator, who has been long retired at Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center.

Lawrence and Kruska still had a challenge: finding a home where English Soul could have a new life as a possible riding horse. Though, they learned the New York-bred mare had physical limitations after her examination at Tufts University.

“It became apparent that there was something physically wrong with her,” Kruska said. “It was pretty clear that it wasn’t going to work in retraining her. So, we moved her to another farm.”

Today, English Soul is living on a family farm in Hartford, Vt. with another retired Thoroughbred: At the Bell, who once raced against Funny Cide as a two-year-old maiden. Kruska said both horses have the life as “beautiful lawnmowers.”

However, English Soul is not the only horse who they have admired. Out of Trouble, one of the early daughters of Into Mischief, was also part of their partnership with Zilla Racing.

After winning six races, including two here at Saratoga, the mare was retired and sent to Wynnstay Farm in Winchester, Ky. where she was bred to Volatile, winner of the 2020 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap. That combination produced Haleakala, who finished third in her debut at Ellis Park on Saturday.

While those horses continue to have a post-racing life, Lawrence and Kruska continue to be part of the Zilla Racing partnership with their recent winner at Saratoga: Tongue Twister.

Unlike many geese who will start migrating to the south after the Saratoga meet comes to an end, Lawrence and Kruska plan to stay in the region with their primary home in Woodstock, Vt.

However, after purchasing a Saratoga Springs “nest” in earlier this year, they plan to make a longer stay in the area, especially on the weekends.

“This is a very nice town,” Kruska said. “Obviously, we are here for the racing. However, I expect to be here quite a lot over the rest of the year. There is a lot going around here.”

With the support of jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, trainer Melanie Giddings wins her first Saratoga race as both continue to build a partnership that also expands into breeding.

It has been just a little over 18 months since Melanie Giddings became a trainer after working for Jeremiah Englehart for six years.

During her time as a trainer, Giddings has also been an owner and breeder. Though, one of those people who has played a part in her transition through these roles is veteran jockey Shaun Bridgmohan.

Now, that transition has brought them to the Saratoga Race Course Winner’s Circle.

Giddings and Bridgmohan won Saratoga’s last race with Scaramanga on July 28. This was the first Saratoga victory for Giddings not only as a trainer, but also an owner with a half-interest with Transfiguration Stable, LLC.

“I am super grateful that I got it,” Giddings said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, you always want to come out with a win. At the end of the day, you have others and you have to move on. As exciting as it was for me, and I got to own half of it with a partner, I want my other owners to experience the same thing.”

Giddings is also grateful that Bridgmohan has been with her since the start of her stable. Along with riding horses for the morning workouts and races during the afternoons, he is also assisting and supporting her in other areas of the business.

“He was the one who encouraged me to go out on my own,” Giddings said. “He’s with my stable everywhere we go. As we grew, I think he enjoys being here. He really loves the horses. I think he has learned a lot by staying back here and helping. He’s very good at what he does, and I try to do what I can at this end, and we try to work together.”

Like many starting trainers, Giddings had few horses in Florida where she raced them at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs last year. As Giddings came back to New York, other owners gave her horses, including Bill Parcells with Maple Leaf Mel.

As Giddings started winning races while some of her horses were finishing in the money, she took those earnings to reinvest into her stable.

“I have put a lot of my own money out there in the claiming game,” she said. “When we started winning a couple of races with our own claiming horses, we used that money to buy some two-year-olds.”

This year, her stable continues to expand with 31 horses, including 20 2-year-olds that enjoys training.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Giddings said about working with her 2-year-olds “I feel like you can decide their future to some degree. We can take our time. It’s nice to have owners who are patient. The owners of these 2-year-olds understand that. It’s a proud moment when they do run good.”

For Bridgmohan, this was his first Saratoga win since 2019 when he was aboard Break Even in the Coronation Cup Stakes. Though, this recent Saratoga victory may be just as significant as the first two career winners for Giddings at Presque Isle Downs.

“Being in the winner’s circle never gets old. It can be addicting,” he said. “The more you win, the more you want. This was pretty special because I rode first couple of winners at Presque Isle.”

Besides assisting Giddings around the stable and track, Bridgmohan has also been helping her with purchasing and breeding horses. 

In March 2023, both of them bought two mares at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales in March 2023; one of those purchases was Devil at Midnight for $7,000.

Over 11 races that started at Belmont Park in June 2023, Devil at Midnight had a win, two second-place finishes, and three third-place finishes and $52,600. After a fourth-place finish for a $25,000 claiming tag at Presque Isle Downs in May, Giddings retired the filly, who is now at Rockridge Farm in Hudson.

“She has done well for me. She was already right there,” Giddings said. “I always said she never wanted to be a racehorse, at least mentally. I couldn’t see her go down the road of claims. So, I retired her and I plan to breed her.”

However, Devil at Midnight is not the only mare they have at Rockridge Farm. Giddings and Bridgmohan also had Diva’s Delight there for a couple of years, and it has been rewarding. 

A few years ago, Bridgmohan privately bought the mare Diva’s Delight after a brief racing career in Louisiana. He bred her to Alternation and they produced Devious Delight just before the pandemic in March 2020.

Devious Delight had just one career race – a second place finish to eventual stakes winner Devious Dame. That’s when Bridgmohan and Giddings decided to breed Diva’s Delight to Grade 1 winner Leofric as that combination produced the filly Canigetaloan.

After finishing second in her debut last year at Saratoga, Canigetaloan went to Finger Lakes a month later to win the Aspirant Stakes. While the win is rewarding, Bridgmohan knows the investment that goes well beyond the financial aspect.

“We have put a lot of time and effort in this,” Bridgmohan said. “It is time consuming, and it can be an expensive venture, but if you can get a nice one that can repay you, it’s rewarding.”

While Giddings and Bridgmohan have embraced those rewarding moments, they have also experienced that challenges that includes last year’s tragedy with Maple Leaf Mel in the Test Stakes. However, Giddings tries to look past those moments with a positive mind frame, especially for her dedicated staff.

“It has been really hard,” she said. “As a trainer, you’re always wanting to have that quality horse. In the back of your mind, it’s always there. This place will always remind me of her.”

“Most people will say that I am positive, even if things aren’t going well,” she added. “I just think it’s hard to dwell on the bad things when there are so many other things that we can be grateful for. No matter how bad, it can always be worse.”

With the second half of the Saratoga meet that started on Thursday, Giddings had Route Sensation entered in a maiden race, followed by Your Man Alex in Friday’s allowance race.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 2024 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course is underway and will continue through Monday, Sept. 2. Racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day. Admission gates will open for live racing at 11 a.m. First post time is 1:10 p.m. 

week FIVE stake races

*Mondays and Tuesdays = Dark Days. No racing.

Friday, August 9 

Evan Shipman Handicap (NYB):
3&UP, 1 Mile – Dirt, Purse $125,000

Union Avenue Handicap (NYB):
F&M 3&UP, 6 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $125,000

Saturday, August 10

GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap (BC): 3&UP, 1 Mile – Turf, Purse $500,000

GII Saratoga Special: 2YO, 6 1/2 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $200,000
GII Troy: 4&UP, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $300,000
GI Saratoga Derby Invitational: 3YO, 1 3/16 – Turf, Purse $600,000

Galway: F3YO, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $150,000

Sunday, August 11

Mahony: 3YO, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $150,000

Wednesday, August 14

GI Jonathan Sheppard: 4&UP, 2 3/8 – Turf, Purse $150,000

Suzie O’Cain (NYB): F3YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $125,000

Thursday, August 15

Rick Violette (NYB): 3YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $125,000

purdy’s summer concert stage
The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live musical performances each afternoon of the season from popular local and regional bands.
Friday, August 9: The Swingin’ Palms
Saturday, August 10: IMI
Sunday, August 11: Twangbusters
Wednesday, August 14: Franklin Micare Band
Thursday, August 15: American Cafe

TASTE NY PAVILION:

Every Thursday-Sunday
beginning July 11

New York-made food and beverages will be available for sample and purchase at the Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, where fans can enjoy New York craft beers, wines, spirits, cheese and chocolate (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages). Featured products hail from Montauk to the Finger Lakes and the Hudson Valley to the Adirondacks as a showcase of the state’s robust food and beverage industry.

SARATOGA BREAKFAST AND BREEDING FARM TOUR:

Every Wednesday-Saturday and select Sundays,
beginning July 12

The popular Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours, which were first introduced in 2022, will be expanded this summer to meet growing demand. The program will be offered Wednesday through Saturday (excludes July 13, Aug. 24), plus select Sundays, beginning Friday, July 12 through Saturday, August 31. This yearwill feature newcomer Sugar Plum Farm to supplement incumbents Song Hill Thoroughbreds and Old Tavern Farm.
Fans will enjoy a buffet breakfast during morning training at Saratoga Race Course before boarding a CDTA trolley to that day’s breeding farm before returning to the Spa for the afternoon’s races.
Tickets must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com. Each tour accommodates up to 52 guests. Admission to Saratoga Race Course is included in the package.

Adirondack Day

wednesday, august 14

Presented by the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, the afternoon will include interactive exhibits highlighting the seven New York counties that comprise the Adirondack region, including beverages, cheese samples, apples, reenactors, live music and more as the attractions of the Adirondacks fill the Taste NY Pavilion.

Stewart’s Shops Day at the Races

wednesday, august 14

Stewart’s Shops will celebrate its longstanding partnership with Saratoga by providing free ice cream for fans in the backyard! Complimentary scoops will be available while supplies last.

Fans can also purchase NYRA Bets gift cards and Saratoga season passes at over 100 participating Stewart’s Shops locations.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Day

thursday, august 15

Thoroughbred Aftercare Day pays tribute to an array of organizations involved in finding new homes and careers for retired racehorses. The featured race will be the Rick Violette Stakes, named for the late NYTHA President who was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

Family Sundaysevery sundayFamily Sundays feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday inside the backyard Family Zone, located near Gate A.

With the support of trainers and his father, Saratoga Springs native Dylan Davis looks to exceed his personal best at Saratoga Race Course this year.

Like most jockeys, Dylan Davis has to work hard, get the right support to be competitive, and remain confident in his riding, especially at Saratoga Race Course.

Right now, that seems to be working for him.

Within the first 14 days of the Saratoga Race Course meet, Davis has a good start as a sixth-leading jockey with 11 winners and 13 others finishing either second or third.

That’s a sharp contrast to when Davis had just two winners in 2020 within that same time fame. However, those numbers improved with five wins in 2021, six wins in 2022, and nine winners last year – all within the same time span.

“It has been great,” Davis said. “I try to go in with a lot of confidence. The outcome, getting the winners early, has exceeded my expectations.”

Davis is also close to exceeding his expectations of total winners for the Saratoga meet after finishing with 17 in 2002, 18 in 2021, 15 in 2023, and 19 last year, which has been his personal best.

“I set a personal goal. I was trying to get to 19 [winners],” the 2011 Saratoga Springs High School graduate said. “I try to beat my personal best. I haven’t been focusing on what the other riders are doing. I am focusing on me. We aren’t halfway through the meet. Everything is going well. I’ve got guys behind me and support me.”

It didn’t take Davis that long to get his first winner of the meet. For his second mount on Opening Day, he guided first-time starter Punch the Clock to a front-running victory for trainer Raymond Handal. That followed with riding longshot The Queens M G to victory in the Schuylerville Stakes.

“It is incredible,” he said. “Saratoga-native and any win is special here, but to win the feature of the day is great.”

Just over a week later, Davis had a four-win day that included another Handal-trainee Union Dolly and two for trainer Mark Casse with Full Screen in an allowance and Pounce in the Grade 3 Lake George Stakes.

Even during the dark days of the Saratoga’s first week, Davis picked up another win by going to Finger Lakes where he helped Pandagate, trained by Clement, outfinish Doc Sullivan in the New York Derby.

“I try to stay available,” Davis said. “Going to Finger Lakes for guys who are [trying to get] a good shot are the guys who ride me since I am based in New York. They give me opportunities.”

Over his 13-year career, which included his first winner at Suffolk Downs in September 2012, Davis has slowly moved up the standings as one of the top 10 jockeys on the New York circuit while riding his fair share of stakes winners. He eventually took the New York riding title in 2022 with 186 winners.

Though, a lot of that success could not happen without support of numerous trainers, which includes Clement.

In Fall 2020, Clement had Davis ride Mutamakina in the Long Island Handicap in which they won. For the following year, Davis guided Mutamakina to victory in the E. P. Taylor Stakes and the Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine.

Last year, Clement gave Davis another opportunity with Carson’s Run, who won his career debut that followed with a close second-place finish in the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga. A month later, Davis and Carson’s Run won the bet365 Summer Stakes at Woodbine that earned both a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Davis and Carson’s Run reunite again for the Saratoga Derby Invitational as part of Saturday’s Whitney undercard.

Because of Carson’s Run, Mutamakina and several other horses, Clement had confidence in putting Davis on Pandagate for the UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai as they finished third to Japan’s talented 3-year-old Forever Young.

“Clement has had a big impact on my career as of late,” Davis said. “If he wants me to go somewhere, I am available. He knows that. It’s not like I am going to say ‘no’ to him.”

Another person who has helped him is his father and retired jockey Robbie Davis. As a teenager, Dylan Davis wanted to be an aspiring motocross racer, not a jockey. With his father’s encouragement, Davis got on horse and enjoyed riding it around the paddock.

“With my father on my side, coach, mentor, everything, I knew he was someone who was going to give me true advice,” he said. “I knew he has been 100 percent on my side. That has been great to have as a top rider in New York. He has helped me to be professional – both on and off the track – and always think that the camera is on you all of the time. Then, you will never do anything wrong.”

Just like with the other riders, Davis knows it’s difficult to compete at Saratoga – both on and off the track. Along with the challenge of getting horses to ride, there is also the difficult task of making the right decisions on the track.

“It’s tough,” he said. “The other day, there were 34 riders in the room. Many of them had just 1 or 2 mounts. I was riding seven. It’s a matter of staying focused out there. I’ve been riding for almost 12 years. It’s trial and error through the years.”

“When I have been riding up here, every decision that I have been making has been working out,” he added. “Obviously, you need the horse to get the job done. Whether it is waiting, moving early, staying inside longer, or moving out early and getting the jump, all of those decisions has been all on cue.”

The Saratoga meet once again experienced good weather last weekend allowing another fine weekend of racing. There were two highlights of the week – the Jim Dandy Stakes as a prep race for the Travers Stakes and the Bowling Green run on the grass.

Saturday the Jim Dandy saw a matchup of two-year-old champion Fierceness and Preakness winner Seize the Grey but the betting favorite was a third entrant – Sierra Leone, who just missed winning the Kentucky Derby and was a formidable third in the Belmont Stakes. The bettors felt that an equipment change would correct the erratic running style which had hampered his late run in both those races.  While Sierra Leone did in fact keep a straighter course it was not enough as Fierceness had other plans.  Under a heady ride by Hall of Fame veteran rider John Velazquez the former two year old champion held Sierra Leone at bay to easily win the race. Seize the Grey, perhaps showing the effects of a tough recent campaign, was never a factor.

While the Jim Dandy had the horses with name recognition, perhaps the most impressive performance of the week was that of Silver Knott on Sunday in the Bowling Green Stakes. The Godolphin owned, Charlie Appleby trained, runner continued his winning ways by wiring the field at the elongated distance of a mile and three-eighths on the inner grass course. Silver Knott set a new course record in the process and is still improving. Expect him to be a factor in the year end championship grass races. Notably horses trained by Charlie Appleby continue their successful invasion from across the Atlantic Ocean besting US-based grass runners time and again – they simply cannot be ignored.

This year’s Saratoga racing has continued to be competitive with a nice balance of longshots and favorites and racing fans were treated to competitive races all week. 

For many fans the beginning of August signifies the true start of top-class spa racing and this week’s Whitney Stakes card is indeed stellar. The highlighted Whitney Stakes will be contested on Saturday August 3rd with a full, if not overly accomplished, field of 12 horses.  It figures to be an excellent betting affair and the undercard is loaded with other quality and competitive races. 

Meanwhile it was announced this week by Trainer Ken McPeek that it is indeed their intention to run the filly Thorpedo Anna against the colts in the Travers Stakes. The aforementioned, Fierceness and Sierra Leone, are both pointing to the same race as is Dornoch and any combination of those horses would produce a very competitive field.

Laid back Sundays

A fan pattern has emerged over the past few seasons with Saturday crowds consisting of young partying fans and sophisticated bettors. In contrast the Sunday cards produce a more laid-back fan base. Both the grandstand and clubhouse are filled on Saturdays with stylishly dressed or attention-seeking young people in a partying mood or veteran horse players enjoying the quality of racing.  The Sunday crowd tends to produce more of a country fair atmosphere. 

This week one anonymous, yet sage, observer, who goes by the monicker Spa Infield Goose @SaratogaGoose on Twitter, commented about Sunday “it’s a weird over 60-(year-old) scene at the track today”. I take no umbrage at the knock on my generation as weirdness does seem to be growing in my demographic especially since the fowl-named commenter is, as usual, correct. The Sunday crowd in general appears far less knowledgeable about racing than their Saturday or midweek counterparts.  For many this is a less intimidating atmosphere and hopefully will grow the sport, but it is shame that veteran racegoers seem to have abandoned the day and the later races on the Sunday card are contested in front of largely empty stands.

This Sunday constituency may be explained by a lack of racing on Mondays. Fans coming to town for the weekend might be enticed to stay for quality Sunday racing if there were racing on Mondays or at minimum the races were carded to end earlier. While I am told there are structural impediments to running Mondays with a dark day on Wednesday, I continue to be approached by people who express their desire to see that change made. It should be fully explored in future years.

On Friday, the 2nd of August, this years inductees will be enshrined as members of Horse Racing’s Hall of Fame. They are representative of the select few who have risen above their competitors with their tremendous skills and God given talent.

The National Museum of Racing was established in 1951. It was the brainchild of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, known as ‘Sonny.” He and a select group of dignitaries from across the horse racing community made plans to erect a shrine to “The Sport of Kings” here in Saratoga. The Canfield Casino in Congress Park housed the museum until 1955 when it was moved to its newly erected site on historic Union Avenue.

The museum has since then grown into a 21st century experience. It is a must see for fans in town for the races. For those who are novices it’s a great learning experience. It will give them an understanding of why so many of us are dedicated to the sport.

Today we will take a look at some of the Hall of Fame members and introduce the class of 2024.  

Jockeys led by the greatest of them all, Eddie Arcaro, along with Bill Shoemaker, Braulio Baeza, Manuel Ycaza and my favorite Bill Hartack. Then there are their predecessors, the likes of George “The Ice Man” Wolfe and Earl Sande who rode both Man o’ War and Gallant Fox. Great names from the latter half of the twentieth century include Angel Cordero, Jacinto Vasquez, Pat Day and Jorge Velasquez. The more current members are the likes of Laffit Pincay, John Velazquez, Jose Santos, Mike Smith and Chris McCarron.

The great trainers who conditioned their stock to outperform the best competition to come their way occupy coveted space on the scroll of Hall of Fame honorees. There are the old timers, Louis Feustel who was there for every stride of Man o’ War’s unmatched career and “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons who  comes quickly to mind as the Dean of American trainers when the sport was in its heyday. Syl Veitch, Johnny Nerud, Frank Whitely, Mac Miller, Lucien Laurin and the brilliant Argentinian, Horatio Luro made their mark in the mid twentieth century. The more contemporary group includes the likes of Bob Baffert, Wayne Lukas, Neil Drysdale, Todd Pletcher and Nick Zito to name a few.

Then there are the thoroughbreds. They are the heart and soul of the Hall of Fame. We know their names, Secretariat, Man o’ War, Citation, Kelso and Native Dancer. Not enough, how about Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid and the list goes on.

Let’s not forget the great ladies of the turf, the incomparable Ruffian, Lady’s Secret, Genuine Risk, Rachel Alexandra and Zanyetta.

This year three of those nominated received the necessary votes to enter the halls of immortality.

Two magnificent thoroughbreds have been selected this year. Justify, the only three year old colt to win the Triple Crown and retire unbeaten joins the 12 TC winners who preceded him as inductees. The rare feat justifiably punched his one way ticket to immortality

Gun Runner also made the grade this year. This gun slinger won major events at seven American racetracks. His crowning achievement was winning the Breeders Cup Classic in his 2017 campaign. The champ was rewarded with an Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year honors with that dazzling performance.

The final inductee is Joel Rosario. The 39 year old jockey from the Dominican Republic has plied his trade here in the states since 2006. In a flash he became one of the top riders on the lucrative California circuit. Among his numerous stakes wins include the Kentucky Derby, a pair of Belmont Stakes, 13 Breeders Cup trophies and the Dubai World Cup. Add to that an Eclipse Award as the outstanding jockey of the 2021 racing season. It’s an elixir that has brought him the coveted honor of Hall of Fame recognition.

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Joel about his journey to the mega success that he now enjoys. It was no easy road from the Dominican Republic, where racetracks are about as rare as lifeboats on the Titanic, to his meteoric rise here in the states. Joel stated that the competition was formidable when he hit the Northern California racing scene. He had a chance to see and compete against the great Russell Baze. He watched and learned from a master of his trade.

Joel was learning fast. Soon he was heading south to the big time at Santa Anita and Del Mar. He was now challenging the big money riders. The competition was fierce.

Mike Smith was one that that he watched closely. He has the highest respect for him. He learned a lot from Smith, one of the all time greats and winner of seven Triple Crown events. Joel credits many others that were instrumental in his learning process.

I put forth the standard question, how does riding in New York differ from the West Coast. Joel says without hesitation that the competition is very, very tough here. 

I asked Joel what races that he has won mean the most to him. With absolute honesty, he stated that every race that he wins means a lot. They all are important to him. The Kentucky Derby victory aboard Orb in 2018 is one that he cherishes. His 2009 Breeder’s Cup win with Dancing in Silks is another that stands out.

When the subject of the best horses he has rode he reeled of the following.

Animal Kingdom, Tonalist, Frosted ..So many good ones.

When asked if he had a favorite racetrack to ride at, Santa Anita, Del Mar, Belmont Park and Saratoga came to mind. He loves them all. He says the the setting here is beautiful and the fans are great.

Finally, What does it mean to you to be a Hall of Fame member. Joel says it was a lot of hard work, a great honor and a dream come true.

It’s going to get a lot more beautiful come Hall of Fame induction day for Joel Rosario. His fame is secured. He will forever be enshrined as one of the select few who reside in immortality at 191 Union Avenue.

Thanks to Joel for his time. He is a gentleman and deserved of all the success that comes his way… And thanks to my friend, a one of a kind, Saratoga’s own Vince DeGregory, who will never let you down, and made this interview possible.

The ceremony will be held at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion at 10:30 a.m. on Friday August the 2nd. It is open to the public. Hope to see you there!