After nearly a decade of working for NYRA, Thompson continues to take the role of Executive Director for the New York Thoroughbred Breeders

Najja Thompson has been a horse racing fan since he was a child, but he never knew that he would make a career in the sport. Now, Thompson has evolved into the leaders in New York Thoroughbred racing, especially here in Saratoga Springs.

Thompson became the Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders in December. After working for the New York Racing Association in the Communications Department and Human Resources since 2011, Thompson pursued the opportunity after Jeffrey Cannizzo became Senior Director of Government Affairs for NYRA.

Thompson has taken the reigns of the NYTB that promotes and advances the state’s Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry through its incentives, rewards and other programs.

He also leads a program that has grown over the past decade under Cannizzo and the Board of Directors’ guidance as horses like two-time international Grade 1 winner Mind Your Biscuits, 2018 Whitney winner Diversify, and last year’s Belmont and Travers winner Tiz the Law reflect the program’s success.

“This was a great opportunity,” Thompson said. “Jeffrey Cannizzo and the Board really ushered a great heyday for the New York-bred program with Mind Your Biscuits and Diversify. The program really took a step above to become the best state and regional program.”

Before developing a career in horse racing, Westbury, NY-native grew up being a fan of the sport with his family, including his uncle, Larry Stewart, who is a breeder in Williston, Fla. and helped produce multiple graded stakes winner Get Funky.

“He used to take me to the track, and we initially went to Belmont, Aqueduct, and OTB,” the 36-year-old Thompson said. “When we moved to Florida, we went to Gulfstream Park and Gulfstream Park West.”

Through his teenage years, Thompson continued buying and studying the Daily Racing Form while following the New York and Florida circuit. Eventually, those study habits were redirected to history and philosophy at Florida State.

Thompson considered law school after graduating from Florida State. However, he opted working for Verizon Marketing in South Florida as a way to make and save money, but he didn’t find the job as satisfying and was looking for a career change.

“I thought about the student loan debt,” he said. “That was the deterrent for me as to work for a couple of years. I really wasn’t enjoying it. I had thought about what I could do.”

Since Thompson still enjoyed going to the track, Stewart suggested a career in horse racing. Taking that suggestion, Thompson applied to positions at NYRA.

“Obviously, I didn’t have the experience to become a trainer. I was definitely interested in the business end,” Thompson said. “I sent out some letters and Julie Levine, recruiter for NYRA, contacted me for an interview. Pretty much from there, everything took off.” 

For nine years, Thompson worked in the Communications Department by writing stories, notes, and recaps before becoming a Recruitment and Employee Engagement Specialist. Also over the last couple of years, he has served as Vice President for the Turf Publicists of America.

One of Thompson’s memorable experiences during his time with NYRA was seeing the turnout for recent Hall of Fame inductee and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah’s gallop over the Saratoga track just a couple of days before the Travers in 2015.

“That is one moment that I will never forget,” he said. “It was a gallop one-time around the track and 20,000 people came for the workout. That shows the love from Saratoga and the surrounding communities just have for racing in which American Pharoah can draw 20,000 people.”

As executive director, Thompson is still connected to NYRA as a member of the Board of Directors. Beyond that, he also enjoys working with breeders and farm owners that include Old Tavern Farm, Song Hill Farm and McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, as well as legislators and other facets of the horse racing industry, to promote the program.

“I like the challenge to promote and grow the program not only at the New York-bred sales, but also attracting farm owners and working with the legislature to show the agricultural impact that farm owners and breeders make to the state with jobs and land preservation,” he said.

Along with the agricultural impact, Thoroughbred racing in New York is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact, which includes 2,600 jobs and $250 million in the Saratoga Springs region.

“People may show up to the races on a Saturday,” he said. “But behind that, it’s the person who ships the horse from the farm, it’s the farrier who shoes the horse, and it’s the feed company that sends the feed. Those are the jobs created from the racing industry and done right here in Saratoga and throughout the state.”

One of Thompson’s highlighted events in his position is the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred yearling sales scheduled for Aug. 15-16. After last year’s sales were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thompson believes there is a lot to look forward to this year’s sales.

“There is a lot of excitement and buzz going into the sale,” he said. “That will be the highlight of the program and it will display the best-of-the-best of yearlings. From what I have heard from bloodstock agents, it is the strongest book of the sale that they have seen.”

Within a decade, Thompson has watched his career evolve in a similar way that the New York-bred program has developed successfully. Though, he knows there are variables that made it happen.

“I have been blessed. Of course, there is hard work and a little bit of luck,” he said. “Things have fell into the right place for me to have that opportunity to help lead the New York Thoroughbred Breeders and help contribute to the New York-bred program. I have definitely worked hard to get to this moment, and I will continue to work hard and do my best to make sure the New York-bred program remains the best in the country.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two-year-old Senbei took first in the Maiden Special Weight on Sunday, July 18 at Saratoga Race Course, winning the first race he has ever been entered in. 

Senbei, foaled by Sweet Aloha and sired by Candy Ride (ARG), went off at 5-1 in the race with a purse of $85,000. Senbei went wire-to-wire to win that 5th race, finishing ahead of Gimmedamoney and Jugglerrunning. His time was the best that day for 5 ½ furlong races. 

The Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga Race Course is open to two-year-old horses who have never won a race. As, a general rule the youngest and best-bred horses are entered in Maiden Special Weight races. Senbei was bred and raised by veterinarian Dr. Jerry Bilinski of Waldorf Farms in Valatie, NY. He is co-owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Bilinski and his wife Darlene. Senbei was ridden by jockey Manuel Franco and is trained by Christopher Clement. 

“Senbei has a great personality, and he is full of himself,” laughed Bliniski. “He reared up on the track just like the Lone Ranger’s horse, Silver.” 

Waldorf Farms is a full-service equine breeding farm that is also home to winning thoroughbreds Bustin Stones and Mr. Monomoy. 

Bilinski bred his first horse in 1974 and dedicated his career to equine medicine. Bilinski, who was raised in Mechanicville, went to Cornell University for undergrad, and then on to become a veterinarian. After school, he found himself back in the area. 

“I love being here where I know people, coming back to my roots,” said Bilinski. “And I am fortunate that Darlene has the same passion for horses.” 

Bilinski was also on the Board of Trustees at Cornell for 17 years and the Director of Veterinary Services at the Columbia-Green Humane Society/SPCA. 

“It has been gratifying to help animals in need,” said Bilinski said about his career. 

As far as Senbei, his next race will be an upcoming NY Stallion Stakes at Saratoga Race Course this summer. So, get ready to place your bets on Senbei very soon!

Last week we looked at the early years of the Whitney cousins and their achievements prior to the Second World War. In this final installment we will see them at war and in the political arena. We will read of their great racehorses and the profound effect the Whitney family had on Saratoga, their adopted summer home.

WAR, POLITICS AND A RACEHORSE FOR THE AGES

The 1940s would complicate the lives of the cousins, as it did so many Americans. The unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor by The Empire of Japan brought our country into the Second World War. Jock and Sonny were quick entering the fray.

Jock joined the Army Air Forces where he served as an intelligence officer on the staff of General Ira Eaker, rising to the rank of Colonel. In 1944 he was taken prisoner by the Germans. In route to a prisoner of war camp, he was able to escape his captors. For meritorious service during the war Jock received both the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. During the conflict Jock did manage to marry for a second time. In 1942 he wed Betsey Cushing, formerly the daughter-in-law of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Along with Babe and Millie she was one of the glamorous Cushing sisters. They captured fame as socialites of the era, who through their beauty and charm ascended to the top of American Aristocracy.

Sonny also served with distinction during the war. On the outbreak of hostilities, he resigned as Chairman of the Board of Pan American Airlines. Without hesitation, he like Jock joined the Army Air Forces. Sonny served in both India and the North Africa Theatre. As an intelligence officer with the Ninth Air Force, he was heavily involved with the planning of the Ploesti air raids. For his contributions to the war effort Sonny received both the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal.

The war ended in 1945. The cousins came home to the states. Two years later Sonny entered government service. Harry Truman was President and he liked what he saw in the newcomer to politics. “Give ‘em hell Harry” offered Sonny the position of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. Sonny accepted the post. In 1949 he switched gears and headed over to the Commerce Department. There he served Under Secretary through 1950. During that period Sonny’s racing stable was riding high. His three-year-old colt Phalanx became a star during the 1947 racing season. To Sonny’s delight Phalanx won the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes and was named as American Champion 3-Year-Old Colt. Four years later Sonny took all the marbles. His colt Counterpoint gave him and Hall of Fame trainer Syl Veitch their second Belmont Stakes success. He continued his superb campaign with a win that Fall in the prestigious Jockey Club Gold Cup. For his efforts Counterpoint was named Horse of the Year for 1951. The following year the champ gave Sonny one final gift. He romped home in the Whitney Stakes here at the Spa in the last start of his career. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney was on clouds numbers one through nine, and the best was yet to come. 

Cousin Jock leaped back into the business world after the war ended with a new concept, Venture Capitol. The firm J.H. Whitney & Co. invested in new ideas that could not get bank approval. It became a resounding financial success. Jock and sister Joan’s Greentree Stable was reaching dizzying heights in the forties. In 1942 the barn sent out a three-year-old colt named Shut Out. He promptly took both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. He also notched the Travers Stakes here at the Spa later that summer. Devil Diver was a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack for the years 1943-44. The Greentree Star dominated his opponents during that stretch. He was named Handicap Horse of the Year for both seasons. Devil Diver was enshrined in horse racing’s Hall of Fame in 1980. In the early 1950s Greentree captured headlines in sports pages across the country. A brilliant thoroughbred named Tom Fool would take Greentree to the top of the horse racing universe. He was named Two-Year-Old Colt of the Year in 1951. In 1953 as a four-year-old he reached his peak crushing all opposition. Tom Fool ran the table. He took the New York Handicap Triple, then America’s supreme test for older horses for only the second time in its long history. To Jock’s elation he added the Whitney Stakes to his resume here at Saratoga. It was the fifth time a Greentree runner took the race. Tom Fool swept horse racing honors for the year 1953. He was named Horse of the Year, as well as best sprinter and handicap horse. In 1960 the champion was inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Tom Fool stands high on the list of the greatest racehorses that ever competed on the American Turf. 

In 1956 Jock entered government foreign service. His close friend President Dwight Eisenhower offered him the position of the United States Ambassador to Great Britain… Who better for the diplomatic post than an American of British descent that could trace his roots to the Mayflower. John Hay Whitney, along with his elegant wife Betsy brought their brand of American dignity and style to the Court of St. James’s. The year 1961 marked the end of the Eisenhower administration. With that Jock boarded a flight from London to New York and made his return to the private sector.

1958 WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR

Sonny Whitney was a busy man in the fifties. He was the owner of numerous flourishing business concerns. In 1950 he took the time from a busy schedule to establish the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He led a group of the sport’s most well-known personalities in making the conception become a reality. The following year the museum opened at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park. In 1955 it was moved to its present location on Union Avenue. A major turning point in the life of Sonny occurred in 1958. He wed Marie Louise Schroeder in January of that year. The union proved to be the happiest of his four marriages and would last until his death thirty-five years later. It was at this time that Sonny introduced Mary Lou to his Saratoga estate known as Cady Hill. She instantly became enamored with the property. With a keen eye, Mary Lou noticed that Saratoga, except fora short racing season, was pretty much a ghost town. The lake houses, where late night gambling and world class entertainment once flourished were a thing of the past. The Grand Hotels that had lined Broadway went the way of the wrecking ball earlier in the decade. Lodgings and restaurants were few and far between. Saratoga needed a benefactor, someone who had social standing, flair, a bigger than life personality and connections with all the right people to bring about change. Add to that the Whitney mystique and Mary Lou was the perfect candidate. With Sonny’s blessing, his bride set out to energize and help create an atmosphere that would forge Saratoga into a world class destination.

PUBLISHER AND ART COLLECTOR

The year Sonny wed Mary Lou, his cousin Jock entered the newspaper business. He spent a good portion of the next decade as the publisher of the New York Herald Tribune. Jock was also busy building one of the largest private art collections in the world. He amassed world class paintings by the Great Masters of the Seventeenth Century and those of the Impressionist Movement of the late 1800s. After Jock’s death, the magnificent collection was disbursed at his wife Betsey’s discretion. Many of the notable works were bequeathed to their favorite museums, the National Art Gallery and The Museum of Modern Art. Jock’s beloved Greentree reached a milestone in 1968. Stage Door Johnny took the 100th running of the Belmont Stakes. It was the fourth time the celebrated stable took the race. It also marked the last of seven wins in Triple Crown events for Greentree. The stable continued to race quality horse until 1982. During that year Jock passed away. It spelled the end for Greentree. It’s famed salmon pink with black striped sleeved silks were retired. The stock was sold off and horse racing had lost one of its greatest names.

HELLO MARY LOU. WE LOVE YOU

Mary Lou embarked on her venture to enhance Saratoga. The Whitney Gala at the Casino in Congress Park became her trademark event. She enticed the rich and famous to attend the annual August charity ball. It became the main attraction if the racing season. Mary Lou was soon anointed as “The Queen of Saratoga.” She along with Sonny were among the early benefactors of the Performing Arts Center in the Spa State Park. The amphitheater brought Saratoga to the forefront of the summer music and dance scene. The Philadelphia Orchestra and New York City Ballet took center stage to open the season. Then it was time for the great entertainers and rock bands to perform in front of packed houses. Mary Lou also worked with Saratoga dignitaries and businessmen to further the development of the downtown area. Another project that she innovated was the formation of the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame. Mary Lou had a special interest in the welfare of the backstretch employees. Along with John Hendrickson, she worked tirelessly to better the conditions for those who made their living on the backside of the track. To chronicle all her achievements in the rebirth and promoting of Saratoga would require much more attention than is available here.

THE END OF AN ERA

In 1992, at the age of 93 Sonny passed away. He and his cousin Jock were the last of the Whitney line to live the life of celebrity. They carried the family name to even greater heights than their ancestors. The cousins were lions in the world of business and finance and left an indelible mark on their favorite pastime, “The Sport of Kings.” We will never see the likes of them again. Saratoga is a better place for having felt their presence here as a part of its storied past.

FINAL REMARK

This weekend will mark the ninety-third running of the Whitney Stakes. The historic event has cemented its place as one of horse racing’s most sought after prizes. Many of the sport’s most well-known stars have their names inscribed in the annals of the race. Count War Admiral, Discovery, Equipoise, Tom Fool, Kelso, Carry Back and Dr Fager among them. It is a lasting tribute to “The Fabulous Whitney’s of Saratoga.”

The Saratoga Race Course Gates open at 11 a.m. each day, including weekends, with the exception of Runhappy Travers Day, Saturday, August 28. The 2021 Saratoga summer meet will include the following events and happenings:

Week 4 Race Schedule
Tune in to Talking Horses for in-depth analysis from handicapper Andy Serling and other guests.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, Troy Stakes and Alydar: Friday’s Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, a one-mile inner-turf test for sophomores at Saratoga Race Course, commemorates the induction ceremonies that will take place across Union Avenue earlier in the day. The 37th edition of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame is part of a loaded card that includes the $120,000 Alydar, a nine-furlong test for older horses, and the Grade 3, $200,000 Troy, presented by Horse Racing Ireland, a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for older horses.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 
Whitney Day: Three-time Grade 1 winner Swiss Skydiver is set headline Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Whitney which offers an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The filly, victorious in last year’s Preakness Stakes and Alabama, will try to become the first female to capture the Whitney since Personal Ensign in 1988. To do so, she will have to defeat Maxfield, considered the top older horse in training, and Knicks Go, the Pegasus World Cup winner. The blockbuster Whitney Day card will also include the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test for sophomore fillies and the $1 million Saratoga Derby Invitational, the second jewel of the Turf Triple series for sophomore males in its first running with Grade 1 status. Whitney Day will also feature the Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls for fillies and mares on turf, and the $120,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8
Saratoga Oaks Invitational: Sunday of Whitney weekend concludes with three graded stakes highlighted by the upgraded Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational, the second leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies. The card will also include the Grade 3, $300,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose for turf fillies and mares, and the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies. 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11
Features the Mahony and the New York-bred Evan Shipman Handicap. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12
Features the New York-bred Saratoga Dew Handicap. 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6

NYRA Hometown Hero presented by CDPHP
NYRA will announce the next honoree in its Hometown Hero program, presented by CDPHP, which recognizes local essential workers for their service and dedication to the community during the pandemic. Each honoree receives the opportunity to present a trophy in the winner’s circle. Nominations are being accepted through August 15 at CDPHP.com/Heroes.

Babe Wines and Cooperstown Distillery Tastings
Fans will be invited to enjoy two complimentary tasting events at Saratoga: Babe Rosé wine outside The Cutwater Stretch from 1 to 3 p.m. and the Cooperstown Select Bourbon Old Fashioned from Cooperstown Distillery at the Jim Dandy Bar from noon to 4 p.m. Must be at least 21 years old; while supplies last.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Display
Fans will have their first of two opportunities to check out the new all-electric 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, which will be on display near the Clubhouse escalator throughout the afternoon, courtesy of Upstate Ford Dealer Group.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage
The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from The Stony Creek Band.

Piazza Italia
The Piazza Italia, located in the Saratoga Events Pavilion, near Gate A, will host live music featuring Franklin Micare from noon to 4 p.m. Fans may enjoy authentic Italian food and beverages at the Piazza Italia every day of the Saratoga meet, including paninis with Italian meats and cheeses, Fratelli Beretta cold cuts, Monti Trentini cheeses, Italian Bindi Gelato, Tiramisu and Peroni Beer.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7

Bruce Johnstone Best Turned-Out Horse Award
NYRA will honor the legacy of the late horseman Bruce Johnstone by bestowing the “Bruce Johnstone Best Turned Out Horse Award” to the groom of the horse deemed by NYRA racing officials to be best presented in the paddock ahead of the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test. Johnstone, who succumbed last year to a lengthy battle against cancer, transitioned from a successful career as a trainer to management at NYRA, where he spent the last 13 years of his career as Manager of Racing Operations.

Handicapping Seminar
Popular handicapper Pete Fornatale will host a 30-minute seminar to discuss his picks for Whitney Day. The event begins at 9:15 a.m. at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders booth near the Dunkin’ concession. Attendance is free.

Wine Tasting Trifecta for Whitney Day
Fans will be invited to enjoy several complimentary tasting events on Whitney Day, starting with La Crema from Jackson Family Wines at the La Crema Sonoma Coast Experience pop-up bar located across from the Clubhouse exchange from noon to 4 p.m. Wine lovers will also enjoy samples of Whispering Angel Rosé near the Travers Bar from 1 to 3 p.m. as well as Babe Rosé outside The Cutwater Stretch also from 1 to 3 p.m. Rounding out the afternoon will be a sampling of Ketel One Botanicals from award-winning Ketel One family made vodka at the Ketel One Longshots Bar located on the ground floor of the Grandstand from 3 to 5 p.m. Must be at least 21 years old; while supplies last.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Display
Fans will once again have the opportunity to check out the new all-electric 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, which will be on display near the Clubhouse escalator throughout the afternoon, courtesy of Upstate Ford Dealer Group.

Volcan Tequila Tasting and Summer Music Stage
The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from The Bluz House Rockers.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8

Brunch at The Rail at the 1863 Club 
Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space at the 1863 Club. Tickets are $85 and include the buffet, soft drinks and Post Parade program book. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or online at NYRA.com/1863Club.

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays
The popular kid-oriented weekly event 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. at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office. 

Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest
Every Sunday features the Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest, available exclusively on-track with a buy-in of $40. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage
The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers.

Season-long Daily Events and Activities:

Berkshire Bank Family Zone
Fans will enjoy 40 days of the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, an interactive play area for children located near Gate A, which will be complemented by the return of Berkshire Bank Family Sundays. The popular weekly festival will include free games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday of the season inside the Berkshire Bank Family Zone.

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 Fashion Days
Fashion Saturdays, which was previously held once each week, will expand to a 40-day series of pop-up boutiques featuring stylish clothing, accessories and jewelry for women and men. The Saratoga Fashion Days’ boutiques will be located in the following areas: Lifestyles of Saratoga across from the Jockey Silks Room Porch; Miss Scarlett, Saratoga Rocks and the Winning Silks Collection near The Stretch; and Bumble B Boutique near the paddock mutuels building (weekends only).

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 ext. 4433.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two-year-old Senbei took first in the Maiden Special Weight on Sunday, July 18 at Saratoga Race Course, winning the first race he has ever been entered in. 

Senbei, foaled by Sweet Aloha and sired by Candy Ride (ARG), went off at 5-1 in the race with a purse of $85,000. Senbei went wire-to-wire to win that 5th race, finishing ahead of Gimmedamoney and Jugglerrunning. His time was the best that day for 5 ½ furlong races. 

The Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga Race Course is open to two-year-old horses who have never won a race. As, a general rule the youngest and best-bred horses are entered in Maiden Special Weight races. Senbei was bred and raised by veterinarian Dr. Jerry Bilinski of Waldorf Farms in Valatie, NY. He is co-owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Bilinski and his wife Darlene. Senbei was ridden by jockey Manuel Franco and is trained by Christopher Clement. 

“Senbei has a great personality, and he is full of himself,” laughed Bliniski. “He reared up on the track just like the Lone Ranger’s horse, Silver.” 

Waldorf Farms is a full-service equine breeding farm that is also home to winning thoroughbreds Bustin Stones and Mr. Monomoy. 

Bilinski bred his first horse in 1974 and dedicated his career to equine medicine. Bilinski, who was raised in Mechanicville, went to Cornell University for undergrad, and then on to become a veterinarian. After school, he found himself back in the area. 

“I love being here where I know people, coming back to my roots,” said Bilinski. “And I am fortunate that Darlene has the same passion for horses.” 

Bilinski was also on the Board of Trustees at Cornell for 17 years and the Director of Veterinary Services at the Columbia-Green Humane Society/SPCA. 

“It has been gratifying to help animals in need,” said Bilinski said about his career. 

As far as Senbei, his next race will be an upcoming NY Stallion Stakes at Saratoga Race Course this summer. So, get ready to place your bets on Senbei very soon!

The Saratoga Race Course Gates open at 11 a.m. each day, including weekends, with the exception of Runhappy Travers Day, Saturday, August 28.
The 2021 Saratoga summer meet will include the following events and happenings:

WEEK 3 RACE SCHEDULE

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

FRIDAY,  JULY 30
The day’s feature is the $120,000 Curlin for 3-year-olds on the dirt at nine furlongs and a potential prep for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers. 

SATURDAY, JULY 31 
Jim Dandy Day: A trio of graded stakes headlines the final Saturday in July as Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality is expected to lead a field of 3-year-olds in the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga Race Course, the traditional prep for the Runhappy Travers. The star-studded card will also feature the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and reigning champion sprinter Whitmore, the 8-year-old gelding who won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November. The Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green will be highlighted by multiple Grade 1-winning turf veteran Channel Maker.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1
Sunday’s card will feature the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam for 3-year-old sprinters going six and half furlongs. 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4
Features the NYSSS Statue of Liberty Division and the Shine Again. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5
Thursday’s card features the Birdstone. 

FRIDAY, JULY 30

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage
The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from Big Fez and the Surfmatics.

Piazza Italia: The Piazza Italia, located in the Saratoga Events Pavilion, near Gate A, will host live music featuring Nick Collucio. 
Fans may enjoy authentic Italian food and beverages at the Piazza Italia every day of the Saratoga meet, including sandwiches on Focaccia with Italian meats and cheeses, Fratelli Beretta cold cuts, Monti Trentini cheeses, Italian Bindi Gelato, Tiramisu and Peroni Beer.

SATURDAY, JULY 31

PDJF Awareness Day
Saratoga Race Course will unite with racetracks across the country with autograph signings and photo opportunities as part of PDJF Day Across America. Riders from the Saratoga jockey colony will sign autographs on the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a suggested donation to PDJF.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Display
Fans will have the opportunity to check out the new all-electric 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, which will be on display near the Clubhouse escalator throughout the afternoon, courtesy of Upstate Ford Dealer Group.

Cooperstown Distillery, Chandon Garden Spritz and Ketel One Tastings 
Fans will be invited to enjoy a trio of complimentary tasting events: the first tasting features the Saratoga Revolutionary Rum Runner from Cooperstown Distillery, the award-winning producer of distinguished whiskeys and other handcrafted spirits, at the Jim Dandy Bar from noon to 4 p.m. The second tasting will feature samples of the Chandon Garden Spritz at the Travers Bar from 1 to 3 p.m. And rounding out the afternoon will be samples of the Ketel One Botanicals Grapefruit & Rose Botanical Spritz cocktail from award-winning Ketel One family made vodka at the Ketel One Clubhouse Bar from 3 to 5 p.m. Must be at least 21 years old; while supplies last.

Volcan Tequila Tasting and Summer Music Stage 
The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from Nite Train with Thomasina Winslow. 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1

Brunch at The Rail at the 1863 Club 
Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space at the 1863 Club. Tickets are $85 and include the buffet, soft drinks and Post Parade program book. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or online at NYRA.com/1863Club.

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays
The popular kid-oriented weekly event 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. at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office. 

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage
The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from The Rodeo Barons.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5

FABULOUS FILLIES DAY
Saratoga Race Course will honor local breast cancer survivors while supporting To Life!, a Capital Region non-profit organization which provides personalized breast cancer education and support services.

SEASON-LONG DAILY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

LOW ROLLER HANDICAPPING CONTESTS

Thursdays & Sundays

Thursday and Sundays at Saratoga pit yourself against your Saratoga peers on-track with the Low Roller Handicapping Contests. Buy-In: $40 ($30 bankroll/$10 prize pool) Contest ends with second to last race at Saratoga. How to Enter: Visit the Low Roller booth outside Fourstardave before the first race.

BERKSHIRE BANK FAMILY ZONE
Fans will enjoy 40 days of the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, an interactive play area for children located near Gate A, which will be complemented by the return of Berkshire Bank Family Sundays. The popular weekly festival will include free games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday of the season inside the Berkshire Bank Family Zone.

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 FASHION DAYS
Fashion Saturdays, which was previously held once each week, will expand to a 40-day series of pop-up boutiques featuring stylish clothing, accessories and jewelry for women and men. The Saratoga Fashion Days’ boutiques will be located in the following areas: Lifestyles of Saratoga across from the Jockey Silks Room Porch; Miss Scarlett, Saratoga Rocks and the Winning Silks Collection near The Stretch; and Bumble B Boutique near the paddock mutuels building (weekends only).

VOLCAN TEQUILA SUMMER MUSIC STAGE
Fans will enjoy live music performances each afternoon of the season from popular local and regional bands at the Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage. Strolling entertainment from Saratoga mainstays Reggie’s Red Hot Feetwarmers and the Red Hot Dancers, amongst other acts, will also be a regular feature.

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 ext. 4433.

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.

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)

Fans will not be required to provide proof of vaccination for admission to Saratoga Race Course. Non-vaccinated individuals will be required to wear a facial covering during their day at Saratoga Race Course, in accordance with federal CDC guidance. NYRA reserves the right to amend admission protocols based on updates and adjustments by New York State. 

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses highlighted by the 152nd renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on Aug. 28 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Aug. 7, as the anchors of two of the most prestigious racing days in North America. Racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit www.NYRA.com/Saratoga. 

With the Whitney Stakes fast approaching, let’s look at two cousins from the long line of Whitneys who made Saratoga their August playground. 

Along the way we will meet many of their family members that also left a lasting imprint on historic Saratoga Springs. Their names were John Hay Whitney, known to his friends as Jock, and Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney who was called Sonny. They were scions of the Whitney dynasty in an era when the cousins were among the wealthiest individuals in the entire country. Jock and Sonny were entrepreneurs, political figures, collectors of art, and philanthropists of the highest order. The cousins were sportsman, superb polo players, and stewards of their favorite past time, “The Sport of Kings.”

THE LINEAGE

The Patriarch of the Whitney family was John Whitney. He came to America from England in 1635.

His descendant William Collins Whitney was the first Whitney to leave his mark on Saratoga. An immensely successful businessman and political figure of the late nineteenth century, his true passion was horse racing. He owned and operated Westbury Stable, taking the name from Old Westbury, New York, a town known for its Who’s Who of American Aristocracy. He resided there along with the Phipps, DuPonts, and Vanderbilts. With Whitney’s guidance, Westbury became one of the leading racing stables in the country.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Saratoga Racetrack was in a downhill spiral. Whitney saw an opportunity to purchase the track. He and a group of investors set on a path to modernize the stands, lengthen the oval and beautify the grounds. It can be said that without the intervention of William Whitney, enthusiasts of the sport would be relegated to reading about horse racing at the Spa as a casualty of a bygone era.

Among William’s offspring were two sons whose love of the sport were on a par with their esteemed father. Harry Payne Whitney answered to his given name Harry. William Payne Whitney was known by his middle name Payne. 

In 1904, Harry inherited his father’s racing stable, taking it to greater fame. His stock won an astounding ten Triple Crown events. Of note, in 1915 his filly Regret became the first of the fairer sex to win the Kentucky Derby. 

His brother Payne established Greentree Stable in 1914. The name derived from the family estate in Old Westbury. The Greentree brand would become synonymous with horse racing on a grand scale.

ENTER SONNY AND JOCK

The name Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney is as regal as it sounds. His breeding was as impeccable as that of the racehorses he would own. He was born in 1899 to Harry Payne Whitney and his wife Gertrude Vanderbilt. The melding of the families gave Sonny claim to two of the most highly regarded dynasties on this hemisphere.

Five years later Payne Whitney and his wife Helen Hay gave birth to a son, John Hay Whitney. Not to be overshadowed by his cousin, Jock Whitney’s lineage on the maternal side included his grandfather, a great American statesman, John Hay.

Hay counted among his successes the privilege of being Abraham Lincoln’s Private Secretary, as well

as serving as Secretary of State under both William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. The union of the two families created the ideal marriage of the business and political worlds.

The Whitney cousins took the same educational journey. They both completed their pre-college studies at Groton, one of America’s foremost private prep schools. Then it was on to a family tradition of graduating from Yale University, an Ivy League Institution dating back to 1701.

FORTUNES AND “THE SPORT OF KINGS”

Payne Whitney passed away in 1927. He was only 51 years old. With that, his wealth passed into the hands of Jock and his sister Joan. The estate, valued at nearly 200 million dollars, was at the time the largest fortune entered into probate in the history of the United States.

Upon their mother Helen’s death, Greentree Stable became a joint venture of the siblings that would last until Jock’s death four decades later. The property that housed the Greentree stock during the Saratoga racing season sits adjacent to Clair Court on Nelson Avenue. It also served as Jock’s Summer residence.

Joan Whitney Payson later became well known in the baseball world as the original owner of the New York Mets. Under her direction “The Amazings” went from the worst team in the history of the sport to a World Championship a mere seven years later. Mrs. Payson, as she was fondly known, made Saratoga her August home for much of her adult life. The residence at the end of Phila Street intersecting Nelson Avenue is a marvel of Queen Anne Victorian Architecture.

1927 was also an important year for Sonny Whitney. Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic Ocean, landing his aircraft at Le Bourget Airport outside of Paris. Aviation was entering a new phase and Sonny, always ahead of the curve, envisioned the future of it. Later that year along with Juan Trippe, an aviation pioneer and fellow Yale alumni, he formed Pan American Airlines. The investment proved to be a grand slam home run. Pan Am led the way in almost every aspect of air travel for the next half century.

Harry Payne Whitney’s life came to an end in 1930. With that Sonny took ownership of his late father’s stable. Sonny would race the horses under his own name, C. V. Whitney. He was an immediate success as a racehorse owner. His colt Equipoise became one of the all-time greats. He was considered the best horse in training for both 1932 and 1933.

The Whitney Stakes was inaugurated in 1928 to memorialize the Whitney family’s contributions to the sport. The 1932 version here at the Spa was a special event for Sonny. His great champion Equipoise took the race wire to wire. With it came the first of his four coveted Whitney Stakes trophies.

Jock and his sister Joan were also off to the races. Although Greentree was still owned by their mother, the two were heavily involved with the operation. The Greentree response to Equipose was a colt named Twenty Grand. He had a remarkable career. Separated from the 1931 Triple Crown by just a length and a half loss in the Preakness Stakes, he went on to take the coveted Travers here at Saratoga. The year 1931 belonged to Twenty Grand. In 1957 both Equipoise and Twenty Grand were inducted into the Horse Racing Hall of Fame here on Union Avenue.

The cousins were riding high in the horse racing world. Next, they headed for Hollywood.

GONE WITH THE WIND

The movie industry was in its infancy. Both Jock and Sonny were quick to grab a piece of the action. Motion pictures in the early 1930s were filmed in black and white. The cousins bought into a new technology known as technicolor. They invested what amounted to a fifteen percent stake in an invention that would change the face of the movie industry.

Then they set their eyes on the making of motion pictures. Gone With the Wind, to this day considered the greatest movie of all time, had the Whitney name written all over it. The cousins financed the production of the masterpiece. Jock in fact, held the title of Chairman of the Board of Selznick International when the movie was filmed in 1939.

The decade also saw the first of two marriages for Jock. In 1930 he wed one of the notable socialites of the era, Elizabeth Altemus. She was tough, brassy, and beautiful. Although they divorced after ten years, Liz branched out and raced quality horses of her own until her death in 1988. She owned the champion Porterhouse, along with many major stake winners. Liz also kept a residence here. Her horse farm located on Fitch Road is now the site of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds.

The thirties were over. A new decade was about to begin. A World War was on the Horizon.

Next week we will look at the cousins’ contributions to the war effort and their leap into government service. Then we will see how they brought their brand of horse racing to an even higher level. We will follow Sonny and his bride Mary Lou as they lead the way in the Renaissance of Saratoga, “The Summer Place to Be.” Stay tuned.

Joan Lawrence has always loved working with horses, but she never thought of making a career in horse racing.

After more than 40 years of working on the backstretch and administration offices that include the New York Racing Association, Thoroughbred Racing Communications and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Lawrence is spending part of her retirement by going back to her roots: the backstretch.

Since July 11, Lawrence has been assisting James Ryerson in maintaining his stable by walking and grooming horses, as well as raking around the shed row and walking area, though, she does have a different perspective on the experience.

“I’ve known Jimmy Ryerson for several years,” she said. “We are old friends and socialize here and there, but he needed help. I haven’t walked horses in years. So, it was eye-opening and very humbling to say the least. It has given me a renewed appreciation to what he does here. The team has been terrific.”

The Ryerson team has already won two races within the first five days into the Saratoga meet: Mommie’s Jewel and Dancing Kiki. While there may be a little luck involving those wins, Lawrence sees the team functioning more like an orchestra to help the horses perform well.

“It’s such a beautiful thing that Jim does,” she said. “He’s the conductor and everyone else is the orchestra. They all work and pull together into a crescendo. Then all of a sudden, there is the horse.” “There isn’t a lot of staff here. The grooms help each other. They have been great with me. I can feel the positivity around here. We are feeling good right now and we hope everything continues to go well,” she said.

Lawrence’s experience in horse racing is slightly atypical than others who have worked around the track. Living in Massapequa in 1975, Lawrence and her mother watched the horse racing replay show featuring Frank Wright and Charlsie Cantey.

Around the same time, her mother also played on bowling team in Huntington that featured trainer John Sheringham, who was part of a core New York horsemen’s group that included Hall of Famers Bill Boland and H. Allen Jerkens. That piqued Lawrence’s interest of going to the backstretch and working with horses for Sheringham on the weekends while attending Farmingdale State.

“My family had nothing to do with horse racing, but I have always liked the horses,” she said. “I would drive to his house. He put me in his tiny red car. When I got there, I thought I was in heaven. I never knew horses had the right-of-way. When we were done, he put me back in the car and took me back. I couldn’t get enough of it after a while.”

For the next five years, Lawrence worked for trainers that included Leonard Imperio, P.G. Johnson and John Hertler, as well as learning how to break yearlings, ride horses, and handle stallions for her father-in-law John C. Lawrence, who owned one of the first stallion farms in Long Island.

The non-stop schedule and breaking her right shoulder impacted Lawrence. Instead of continuing with college and working on the backstretch, she became interested on the front side of racing.

“One day, I realized that college wasn’t for me,” Lawrence said. “I also wasn’t cut out to do this seven days a week, as much as I wanted to be trainer. So, I started to get familiar with people on the front side.”

One of her first jobs working for NYRA was horseman relations and customer service with eventual long-time friend Mary Hauswald, then she moved into marketing and communications. That communications position led her into a niche in horse racing for nearly 27 years.

Lawrence worked for TRC for about seven years before the NTRA merger. During her tenure, with mentoring from Bob Curran, Lawrence tackled a variety of jobs that included providing soundbites from a bulky over-the-shoulder SONY recorder for sports radio networks, conducting weekly polls, producing media packages, and coordinating teleconferences.

Through her job at TRC and NTRA, Lawrence covered every major racing event from Triple Crown to the Breeders’ Cup with her first assignment being Easy Goer in 1989.

Using her skills of thinking ahead, Lawrence also played an integral part of coordinating information and the teleconferences at the New Bolton Center for Dr. Dean Richardso, who was the equine surgeon for Barbaro, and she coordinated media events at Parx Racing where Smarty Jones was training during his Triple Crown bid in 2004.

“Whenever there was an opportunity, I jumped on it,” she said. “It was quite a time, especially when not everyone had the internet yet. I loved being part of that service. The writers appreciated it. I always thought ahead of what they needed. That’s how we operated.”

With about three years before retirement from the NTRA in 2015, Lawrence decided to leave the commute from Long Island to Manhattan and move to Ballston Spa. While she enjoyed working downstate, Lawrence felt she had more of a connection to Saratoga County, especially with the horses.

“I thought I would get more involved in the horses,” she said. “It’s the love of horses and the quality of life and lifestyle. I have always loved coming up here. I’ve always been an upstater. This is more me. I love Long Island and growing up there, but I was never really a beach person. I am more into the mountains. When I am here, I always identify with the area more than the beach.”

Outside of racing, Lawrence spends time doing outdoor activities that includes hiking and cross-country skiing, as well as spending time with other friends retired from racing.

It has been over 45 years since Lawrence and her mother watched horse racing replays on television. Over that time, Lawrence’s mother was impressed with her journey around horse racing.

“My mother thought I was a rock star,” she said “If she was here today, she would have been proud. I ended up having a nice career. I learned and everybody was good to me, but I worked hard around a lot of good people. It has been incredible journey when I think about it.”

Week four of the 2021 racing season at Saratoga Race Course beginning August 4 will contain a baker’s dozen of stakes races, 8 of which are graded.

The Grade I Whitney with a purse of $1,000,000 is the highlight of the week and will be run Saturday, August 7.  Friday, August 6 will see the inductions of the Class of 2020 and 2021 in the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame at a ceremony that will be live streamed to the public at 10:30 a.m. A Grade II race honoring the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame will be contested later Friday afternoon on the grass at a mile for three-year-olds. 

The biggest race card of the season so far will be Saturday, August 7. Five stakes will be contested that day with three Grade I contests – the Whitney; The Test; and the Saratoga Derby -anchoring the extended program. The Whitney at a mile and an eighth traditionally draws some of the best older horses in the country and this year is no exception. Expected starters include Maxfield who is generally considered the best horse in training; the very speedy Knicks Go; prolific winners Silver State and By My Standards and filly champion Swiss Skydiver who will take on males after missing her race last week due to quarantine restrictions. The Whitney, named in honor of the entire Whitney family, is always a matchup of speed horses and stayers and has seen some memorable performances. Having been won by some of the best horses in history, it is ironic that the Whitney is best known for Secretariat’s loss in 1973 to the Allen Jerkens-trained Onion. Secretariat’s loss in the Whitney solidified Saratoga’s reputation as the Graveyard of Champions and Allen Jerkens’ nickname – “The Giant Killer.” 

Also on the Saturday card is the Test for three-year-old fillies at seven furlongs. The Test attracts the fastest members of the class and again is a blend of horses with pure speed and those that can stay an extra furlong. Originally run in 1922, the Test for decades was used as a prep for the much longer Alabama Stakes but in recent years has acted more as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. The $500,000 purse makes the Test among the most lucrative sprints for three-year-old fillies.

The Saturday card is further bolstered by the relatively new and blandly named Saratoga Derby for three-year-olds contested at a mile and three-sixteenths. It offers an outsized purse of $1 million. This series typically attracts European entrants, and a possible entrant is European trainer Aiden O’Brien’s recent impressive winner of the Belmont Derby – Bolshoi Ballet.

The Friday, August 6 card is the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame stakes for three-year-olds at a mile on the grass. The race celebrates the induction of the newest members of the Hall of Fame earlier that day across Union Avenue. This year’s induction includes both the classes of 2020 and 2021 since last year’s ceremony was cancelled. Inductee Trainer Mark Casse told me “I have been very thankful for the success I have had in horse racing and this recognition is the pinnacle of my career.” On waiting an extra year for the actual ceremony, he added “it has allowed me to enjoy it that much longer.” He further added he was “looking to win” the stakes race that afternoon.

Among the other inductees is Trainer Todd Pletcher who is also expected to have an entrant in the race. On his induction into the Hall of Fame, the seven-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Trainer told me “It’s a great honor. I’m very happy to be able to share it with my parents, family and coworkers.”

In addition to Pletcher, the 2021 class includes Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and 13-time champion steeplechase trainer Jack Fisher. The 2020 inductees in addition to trainer Mark Casse, are jockey Darrel McHargue, horses Tom Bowling and Wise Dan, and Pillars of the Turf Alice Headley Chandler, J. Keene Daingerfield, Jr., and George D. Widener, Jr.

The Troy Stakes for older horses at 5 ½ furlongs on the grass and the Alydar at a mile and a furlong also are featured on the strong Friday card. Blue Grass stakes winner Art Collector is expected to head the Alydar.

Wednesday has three-year-old New York Bred fillies going a mile on the grass in the New York Sire Stakes Series – Statue of Liberty Division. A restricted stake- the Shine Again for older fillies at seven furlongs will also be run on Wednesday. 

Thursday highlight is the Birdstone, named after Mary Lou Whitney’s 2004 Belmont Stakes winner. Run at the unusual marathon distance of a mile and three quarters; it offers a purse of $120,000 for older horses. 

Sunday completes week with the filly counterpart to the Saratoga Derby – The Saratoga Oaks.  At the same distance of a mile and three-sixteenths but this time for three-year-old fillies a large purse of $700,000 is expected to draw a competitive field. Also on Sunday, two-year-old fillies stretch out a bit in the 6 and 1/2 furlong Adirondack – a grade II offering a purse of $200,000.

John Rotz passed away at the age of eighty-six just days before this year’s racing season began at Saratoga.

Many of those from a younger generation probably glanced over the many testimonials that were written about him. Those who have a passing interest in horse racing may have heard the name. Then there are the horse racing fans that lived during the era that brought him fame and the respect of his peers. The news surely brought back fond memories to those who witnessed his expertise on the racetrack.

It was the 1960’s and 70’s, when many of the greatest jockeys of all time plied their trade at racetracks across the country. During that timeframe, a claiming race at Saratoga could count seven, sometimes eight future Hall of Fame riders vying for the winner’s circle. Eddie Arcaro and Willie Shoemaker led the way. They were the masters of their chosen trade. Then there were Bobby Ussery and Manuel Ycaza. Both had flair and nerves of steel. Eric Guerin of Native Dancer fame and Bill Boland, who captured the Kentucky Derby at age sixteen were veterans that had the skills to compete with the best. 

Secretariat’s rider Ron Turcotte was also a member of the group. Then came Braulio Baeza, Angel Cordero, Jorge Valesquez, and Jacinto Vasquez. They arrived here from Panama and Puerto Rico to show off their talent and reap the financial rewards that America would offer. For the better part of two decades, John Rotz would match his riding skills with all of them. 

He was nicknamed “Gentleman John” out of respect for his quiet and unassuming demeanor. Do not think for one second that those are the only qualities that defined him. John Rotz was a topnotch, professional race rider. His skills were honed the hard way. He worked his way to success taking the old-fashioned route. As a teenager in Illinois, he landed a job as a groom, then graduated to hot walker and later spent his early morning hours as an exercise rider. 

In 1953 John launched his career as a jockey at the minor league tracks of the Midwest. By the late fifties he felt he had acquired the skills to hit the big time. He made the move to New York to test his mettle against the premier jockeys on the American turf at Belmont Park, Aqueduct, and Saratoga.

For the next fifteen years Rotz cemented himself as one of the go-to riders on the racing scene. A quick glance as his Wikipedia page lists the stakes races that he won in his career. It is a remarkable look at many of horse racing’s most sought-after prizes. 

The 1962 Preakness Stakes is the race that Rotz is most remembered for. He had the mount on Greek Money. In a stretch duel with his counterpart Manny Ycaza aboard Ridan, he was nearly thrown over the inside rail due to the rough riding antics of the fiery Panamanian. He was able to keep his mount steadied and nailed his first of two Triple Crown Events by a whisker. Hounded by reporters after the race, he was asked repeatedly about Ycaza’s flagrant ride in the stretch run. He refused to comment on the subject. It was just another example of why he was called “Gentleman John.”

Rotz went on to ride racing greats Dr. Fager, Carry Back, In Reality, the superb race mare Gallant Bloom, and this writer’s favorite champion Mongo. He reached the pinnacle of his success when he led the country in stakes race wins for both 1969 and 1970. 

Due to physical problems Rotz hung up his tack in 1973. He had done it all. From his beginnings as a groom to reaching the top rung of his profession, he had earned the respect of the owners, trainers, and the many jockeys that he had competed with on a world class level. 

Ten years later in August of 1983, John Rotz became the sixty-first jockey to be inducted into Horse Racing’s Hall of Fame located here on Union Avenue. It was a well-deserved and fitting tribute to this Gentleman from Illinois.