William C. Whitney presided over a consortium which assumed ownership of the Saratoga Race Course during the late autumn of 1900. Under his leadership, the racing plant underwent a major improvement, entailing relocating and enlarging the track and repositioning all the structures surrounding it. His long-range vision of this development, which also involved purchasing additional acres, resulted in what we are familiar with presently, much to the benefit of a grateful posterity, who continue years and generations of enjoyment.

The track we know today, with its special mystique, was completed for the 1902 season under the direction of architect Charles W. Leavitt. During this same period, Mr. Whitney was simultaneously involved with building the new Belmont Park on Long Island, also under the design and direction of Mr. Leavitt.

As to be expected with two separate projects under the management of the same connections, some design coincidences occurred at the Spa and Belmont Park. This would dictate some shared designs at both facilities, with the paddocks being sensational examples of this fortuitous overlap.

Charles Leavitt designed the elliptical paddock building ready for the 1902 Saratoga season and also at the original Belmont Park, which opened in 1905, with a similar elliptical structure, only slightly larger. The New York version provided 36 stalls, while at Saratoga, 25 stalls sufficed.

The distinctive oval shaped roofs of these paddock buildings were supported by wood trusses with iron bracing, supported on simple posts. The unusual hip-ellipse roof employed slate and a series of dormers for ventilation. The shape of the structures’ form followed the function of their purpose, to allow for saddling and walking of horses before going to post, while providing shelter from the sun and elements. The structures provided an area of inspection for the paddock judge, owners, trainers, jockeys and spectators, with proper separation of all those scrutinizing the runners before proceeding to the walking ring. The picturesque setting and nearness of the horses being prepared under the fountain elms had long distinguished Saratoga’s charm and separated it from other race venues.

An additional successful use of the paddock buildings, which were a type of open-view barn, was their supplementary use as a horse auction ring. 

Belmont Park had an unusual requirement for Architect Leavitt, where it had been decided to use the European-style clockwise direction on the race track, sometimes referred to as “Continental” style differing from the American-standard of counter-clock racing direction when the track was built.

Champion Man o’ War was sold at auction as a yearling at the Saratoga elliptical paddock in 1918, and was later saddled in the Belmont elliptical paddock in 1920 where the Hall of Famer won the Belmont Stakes, which was interestingly the last to be contested in the “Continental” style.

After the Belmont Fall Meet of 1920, the racing direction was revised from a clockwise direction. This placed the clubhouse and paddock on the wrong side of the finish line, and the unique paddock was cast-off for parking and later demolished for still more parking space.

The graceful elliptical Leavitt Paddock at the Spa was modified by NYRA into a pari-mutuel annex and racing offices in 1963, and continues in that use presently. Many have expressed the opinion that returning the paddock building to its original purpose would add yet another marvelous aspect to racing at Saratoga. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Casino Hotel and Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association recently announced Sunset Saturdays, weekly events featuring live harness racing, food trucks, and activities at the casino hotel. The events run every Saturday until August 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Post time on Saturdays is 6:45 p.m., with free parking and admission for all guests.

Every Sunset Saturday will include the Winners gourmet ice cream food truck, and every theme night will include a drawing where guests can enter to win a YETI cooler, Solo stove, or electric smoker.

SUNSET SATURDAYS SCHEDULE

• July 12: Carnival Theme Night with NY Sire Stakes Races and Di Folco’s Roaming Occasions food truck

• July 19: Gerrity Night with NY Sire Stakes Races and Ted’s Fish Fry food truck

• July 26: Charity Match Race Night and Neighborhood Kitchen food truck

• August 2: Baseball cap giveaway and Fired Up pizza

• August 9: Dog Days of Summer Theme Night and NY Sire Stakes Races featuring $2 hot dogs, weiner dog races, a corn dog eating competition, and adoptable puppies from Lucky Puppy Rescue

• August 16: Cooler bag giveaway and Ty’s Taco-ria food truck

• August 23: BBQ, Brews and Country Tunes Theme Night with DJ Kevin Richards and Miller’s Backyard BBQ

For complete event details, visit www.saratogacasino.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Each year, owners and trainers try establishing a plan or goal going into the Saratoga Race Course meet.

James “Jamie” Bentley Begg is just one of them as both an owner and trainer.

Stabled at Barn 42 that runs parallel to Union Avenue, Begg looks to build upon his stable while trying to eclipse his first two Saratoga wins—both from Locke and Key—in 2023.

“It would be nice to eclipse that,” the King City, Ontario native said. “Getting a couple of wins would be part of the goal. Every year when you come here, it’s a tough meet. I want to be competitive in all of the races.”

Begg is well aware of the Saratoga competition after being an assistant to Hall of Famer Mark Casse for six years. During his time with Casse, Begg had the opportunity to work with Belmont Stakes-winner Sir Winston, two-time Fourstardave-winner Got Stormy, Adirondack and Spinaway-winner Perfect Alibi, and Sovereign Award for Horse of the Year Catch a Glimpse, just to name a few.

Along with working for another Hall of Fame trainer, Roger Attfield, Begg has also been involved in producing horses after completing the Thoroughbred Breeding Management program at the prestigious Irish National Stud. That experience led him to producing multiple stakes horses and being an owner of Kingstead Stables in Ontario.

Begg, who became a trainer near the end of 2020, currently has five horses stabled at Saratoga, with another 10 horses at his Woodbine base in Toronto. His past experience learning from others has helped him become successful as a trainer.

“Working with those top-class horses, you know what it takes to win those races,” Begg said. “If you started from the bottom and didn’t have those prior experiences, you could build your stable, but you wouldn’t necessarily know what it takes [to get to that next level]. As they say in professional sports, being a pro, you see pro habits. It’s the same thing with training. You see really good training.”

Two of those horses—Stewie and Loveumissumeanit—have already run at Saratoga this year as part of the special meets, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and the July 4th Racing Festival.

Stewie chased Midwest shipper I’m Wide Awake to finish second in an allowance race during that first week of June. While Stewie is still looking for his first win since early September at Finger Lakes, the 4-year-old gelding has been no worse than third in his last 6-of-8 starts and has been back on the workout tab since his last race with the hopes of getting a start at Saratoga.

On Saturday, Loveumissumeanit rated behind a quick pace, then made a belated run to eventually finish 1 ½ lengths behind winner National Archive in an allowance race for New York-breds on the grass. It was the first time she raced at 1 3/16 miles after running at shorter route distances, mostly a mile.

“We were looking at starting the meet like that,” Begg said. “As much as she didn’t get her up there in time, we wanted to stretch her in distance. Cutting her back to a mile or a mile-and-a-sixteenth, she may become more engaged in the race.”

Loveumissumeanit was initially purchased as a yearling for $100,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipon New York-bred sales in Saratoga. After she finished third in her debut for trainer Chad Brown in November, she was put up for auction a month later at the Fasig-Tipton Digital Sales where Begg purchased her for $40,000.

Since the auction, Loveumissumeanit showed improvement in Florida before winning her first race in May. Begg also likes the benefit of her, as well as his other horses, being part of the New York-bred program.

“There were a few fillies that we were trying to get and we got her,” Begg said. “I had her in Florida this winter and she was doing okay. Coming out of Florida, she really blossomed. She’s training a lot better than when I initially got her.”

“Competing in New York with not having a lot of top money, the state program is beneficial here,” he added. “With her being a New York-bred, it was appealing. It was good timing, and we had enough time to start working with her [going into the New York turf season].”

Of the other horses that are part of Begg’s Saratoga roster, an unnamed New York-bred 2-year-old colt by graded stakes winner Bourbon Courage could be promising for Mike McMahon and Jaime Hill’s Bourbon Lane Stables after being purchased for $55,000 at the Midlantic Sales in May. 

Begg has also been active around the claiming box at Saratoga. He was on the winning end of a three-way shake on Takeschargesmiling for $12,500 in Sunday’s eighth race. He believes Saratoga is the ideal place to claim horses for both short-term and long-term benefits.

“We have always been with the claiming horses,” Begg said. “A lot of guys will claim because their owners want horses for Saratoga. They will start claiming everything. To me, Saratoga should be the place to shop for claiming horses for the rest of the year. It’s really finding horses for certain spots where they can be competitive.”

Begg knows the claiming game can be challenging and competitive, especially when a trainer is trying to win a race while knowing the risk to lose a horse through a claim. Once that horse is claimed, it may be difficult for the previous trainer to watch that horse gain immediate success through someone else’s barn.

“The claiming here is tough,” Begg said. “There are certain times when you have to watch the claims. You get the horse claimed, and the guy wins at the same claiming price a couple of months later. For a trainer who is going for the [meet] title, that is where you really have to be careful.”

Over the last two weeks, Begg’s horses at Woodbine have been running well, including three winners. He is hoping that momentum can carry into the upcoming Saratoga meet, but he also knows that will be a challenging task, even with trying to match last year’s pair of victories.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga race meet begins in earnest this week after two unusual appetizers. The conclusion of the July 4th Racing Festival paves the way for the traditional (at least recent traditional) mid-July opening. 

While it’s debatable whether the July 4th Racing Festival was an on-track success, as the attendance was not stellar, there is no question it was a smashing mutuel handle success. The amount bet on the four days of racing easily eclipsed and surpassed the amounts bet on the same days downstate in prior years. Betting on the four-day meet was so strong that it came at the expense of competing tracks during the same four days, making the New York Racing Association offerings by far the leader of the weekend. Despite official denials that this festival will remain at Saratoga once the new Belmont racetrack is completed, it’s hard to imagine the New York Racing Association eschewing a repeat next July 4th. 

DEBUT RUNNERS

The Saratoga race meet is usually replete with races for well-bred maidens representing the future stars of the sport. Such races teem with potential stars making their debuts and if you want to be able to say you saw a good one race the first time, Saratoga is the place to do so. 

This year, even before the start of the official meet, we have seen some good ones.  Last week, the 2-year-old New York-bred filly Iron Orchard was rumored to be a good one. She was, and her debut makes this $500,000 purchase look like money well spent.

The male version of the same race run the following day saw another high-priced purchase run debut with an eye-catching stride while finishing third. The fancifully named Nowucme Nowudont, a son of Good Magic, figures to be heard from in the future in a big way.

Continuing the parade of expensive two-year old first-time starters was the cleverly named colt Ewing, sired by freshman sire Knicks Go. The Mark Casse trainee won easily and will likely be seen in stakes company next.

Another impressive debut, this one with talent well-hidden from the public, came in the last race of the festival when the Michael Dubb-owned, Rick Dutrow-trained Hangover Heaven slingshotted to the lead while extremely wide on the turn and romped to victory at a generous price. The gamble to offer this late debuting three-year-old for a tag paid off as there were no takers. Stealthy talent was commonplace decades ago when keeping a first timer’s ability hidden was not difficult, but in today’s world of video workouts, workout reports, and high scrutiny, this effort was truly remarkable. 

RUFFIAN

Last weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the tragic breakdown of the brilliant filly Ruffian in an ill-conceived match race at Belmont Park against top three-year-old colt Foolish Pleasure. The match race, spurred in part by the success of the Billy Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs “Battle of the Sexes” tennis exhibition, was a low point in modern racing history. Running for a huge purse of $400,000, Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure raced in tandem down the Belmont backstretch only to see Ruffian suffer a fatal injury early in the race and Foolish Pleasure eerily run alone to the wire. For those of us who were there (and those who remember), it was a somber day and set back racing significantly. It is hard to overstate how magnificent Ruffian was and the expectations her fans, including this writer, had for her. The match race, a concept largely fueled by bravado, is not one racing should ever embrace again.

THE WILSON CHUTE

Readers of this column (as well as my family, friends, and acquaintances) have heard me repeatedly express my distaste for the Wilson Chute. While it is a necessary evil for races that are removed from the turf courses due to weather conditions, the carding of races specifically with a start out of view of on-track patrons and that provides an unfair start has always struck me as unwise. It appears the new racing secretary, Rob MacLennan, agrees with me (at least early in the meet), as no dirt races utilizing the Wilson Chute are contained in the first two racing books of the season. Here’s hoping that continues.

FIRE/FLOOD

Last week saw two Saratoga enterprises suffer sudden damage. McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Stillwater lost two hay barns and several smaller buildings to fire. No people or horses were harmed, and the farm expects to continue operating. On the same weekend, Northshire Bookstore on Broadway in Saratoga suffered flood damage that has closed the Saratoga staple right as the racing season begins. Rachel Person, Director of Special Events, told me “We are determined to reopen in early August and in the meantime, we will have alternate arrangements for our scheduled events.” Keep both businesses in mind as they will appreciate your support.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the lineup of attractions, entertainment, and events for the 2025 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course.

Highlighted by the 156th edition of the Grade I, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on Saturday, August 23, and the Grade I, $1 million Whitney on Saturday, August 2, the 40-day summer meet will open on Thursday, July 10 and run through Monday, September 1.

Following the four-day opening week, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

First post will be 1:10 p.m. every day except Saturdays, when first post will be 12:35 p.m. The only exceptions are Whitney Day featuring a 12:05 p.m. first post and DraftKings Travers Day with first post at 11:40 a.m. Post times for Labor Day weekend will be announced at a later date.

Admission gates will open for live racing at 11 a.m. for all but Whitney Day, when gates will open at 10 a.m. and DraftKings Travers Day, when gates will open at 9 a.m.

Thurs. July 10-Sun. July 13:

Opening Weekend

The 2025 Saratoga summer meet will get underway on Thursday, July 10, highlighted by the Listed De La Rose stakes, followed by the Grade III Coronation Cup on Friday and the first Grade I of the season, the Dunkin’ Diana, on Saturday.

Stake Races

*Mondays and Tuesdays = Dark Days. No racing.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

Coronation Cup: F3YO, 5 1/2 – Turf, Purse $175,000

Saturday, July 12

Dunkin’ Diana: F&M 4&UP, 1 1/8 – Turf, Purse $500,000

Bowling Green: 4&UP, 1 3/8 (Turf), Purse $200,000

Sunday, July 13

Quick Call (pres. by Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation):
3YO, 5 1/2 – Turf, Purse $175,000

Wednesday, july 16

Suzie O’Cain (NYB): F3YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $150,000

Thursday, July 17

Rick Violette (NYB): 3YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $150,000

Friday, July 11

Saratoga Summer Tour T-Shirt Giveaway

The first giveaway of the traditional summer meet is a red, high performance concert-style tour tee. The t-shirt features a silhouette of the Saratoga Race Course Grandstand and a schedule with the meet’s stakes races on the back. Presented by NYRA Bets, the cool and comfortable t-shirt will be available in two sizes: medium and extra-large; free with paid admission, while supplies last.

sunday, july 13:

Saratoga-Con presented by Miller Lite:

Bar hop the Spa! Wear your most extravagant Saratoga outfit and join the party. Each $10 ticket includes four drinks (one at each bar stop), plus fun activations & giveaways along the way. 21+ only.

Thursdays-Sundays:

Breakfast & Breeding Farm Tour:

See firsthand how racehorses begin their journeys! Each ticket includes a buffet breakfast during morning training at Saratoga, a round-trip trolley ride from the track to the day’s designated farm, a guided walking tour of the farm, and same-day admission to Saratoga Race Course.

Stake Races

*Mondays and Tuesdays = Dark Days. No racing.

FRIDAY, JULY 4

Manila: 3YO, 1 Mile – Turf, Purse $200,000

Schuylerville: F2YO, 6 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $150,000
Belmont Derby Invitational: 3YO, 1 1/8 – (Turf),
Purse $750,000
Suburban pres. by Subourbon: 4&UP, 1 1/4 – Dirt, Purse $400,000
Harvey Pack: 3&UP, 5 1/2 (Turf), $150,000

Saturday, July 5

Sanford: 2YO, 6 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $175,000

Belmont Oaks Invitational: F3YO, 1 1/8 (Turf),
Purse $500,000

Kelso: 4&UP, 1 Mile (Turf), Purse $175,000

Friday, July 4:

Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 11-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.

Sunglasses Giveaway

The first 15,000 fans through the gates will receive a complimentary pair of red Saratoga-branded sunglasses, featuring a mirror shield and the Saratoga Race Course logo.

free admission for first responders, veterans & military members:

All first responders, active military and veterans will receive free admission with valid ID.

Carnival Games:

Fans can enjoy horse-themed carnival games with prizes all day long, located just outside of the Taste NY Pavillion. 

Saratoga Springs Fireworks:

Following the conclusion of racing, fans can head downtown for Saratoga’s All-American Celebration, culminating with a spectacular fireworks display from atop the Saratoga Springs City Center Parking Garage at 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 5:

Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 12-race
program getting underway at 12:35 p.m.

Red, White and Blue Photo Magnets:

Fans can enjoy complimentary, patriotic-themed photo magnets at the Jockey Silks Porch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Yankee Doodle Band:

Rensselaer’s Yankee Doodle Band will perform trackside during the afternoon. Founded in 1927 by American Legion Post 471 in Rensselaer, the Yankee Doodle Band began as a senior drum and bugle corps. Over the decades, the Band earned recognition at national American Legion events, parades, and patriotic ceremonies, including New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller’s inauguration and events at the Empire State Plaza.

Horseback Rides:

Complimentary horseback rides will be available in the backyard for children from noon to 4 p.m., courtesy of Adirondack Dreamcatcher Farm, located in nearby Corinth.