Great Racing, Strong Yearling Sales

In what seemed like the true opening of the Saratoga race meet, the New York Racing Association hosted a full house for the running of a stellar Whitney Stakes card. On a perfect weather day, Saturday’s stakes-filled racing card produced a robust betting handle, making up lost ground from the first two weeks. 

After the unveiling of a slew of expensive first-time starters in the early races, the sundrenched crowd saw Sierra Leone prove best in the Whitney. Fierceness, the even money favorite, disappointed with a lackluster effort. Sierra Leone now seems destined to seek a repeat of his victory in last year‘s Breeders’ Cup Classic, while questions remain about Fierceness’ future.

Saratoga Yearling Sales

The annual Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sales, (also benefitting from beautiful weather), were held this week with stunning results across the board. Total sales exceeded $100 million with the average price up a whopping 18% at $629,469 and the median price up 8 % to $450,000. A combination of recent tax cuts for the upper brackets, newly enacted accelerated depreciation for race horses, and a strong expectation of increasing inflation fueled the appetite for investment in equine assets. The sport, at least at the upper end, remains on firm footing. 

Disqualifications

From coast-to-coast, racing saw several controversial disqualifications this week. In what seems to be a reversal of the general hands-off approach of racing stewards when it comes to non-contact interference or contact out of the starting gates, bettors were generally surprised by these disqualifications. This new strictness is partially a result of the use of drone television footage, which more clearly and dramatically shows if a horse deviates from a straight path. This may lead to a trend of more disqualifications, which is usually an unsatisfactory outcome, but let’s hope the racing stewards are careful not to overreact to this new technology.

Computer Assisted Wagering

Last week’s column spoke of the dramatic effect computer assisted wagering (“CAW”) is having on the payouts on certain bets and the need to assure a level playing field for bettors. As if on cue, two glaring examples occurred at Saratoga this past week when the lightly bet quinella wager actually paid more than the same race exacta. In an efficient market, a quinella should NEVER pay more than an exacta…NEVER. It is clear this inefficiency in the market is caused by the outsized influence of CAWs on the exacta pool. Since the quinella bet is only offered on races 2 and 4 and is lightly bet, it is not targeted by the CAWs. For the small player, it is a bet worth considering (twice a day).

Rosemary Pasquarello – Clerk of Scales

It is always nice to see a true racetracker move up the ranks within the sport and the appointment of Rosemary Pasquarello as the new Clerk of Scales squarely fits the bill. Ms. Pasquarello began her career in racing as a hotwalker (as did this writer), and worked hands-on with horses for more than a decade with Gary Sciacca’s barn. 

Entering NYRA’s employment in 2016 first in the Horse Identification Department, and then the racing office, Ms. Pasquarello admirably performed in numerous roles. In July 2025, she was named NYRA’s Clerk of Scales, a role that makes her responsible for ensuring jockeys carry the correct weight, get to the paddock on time, are wearing the correct silks, and generally overseeing all the preparation necessary for racing. It’s a position that “wears many hats” and one that requires the type of experience and dedication Ms. Pasquarello possesses. A wise choice.

NYRA teams with Emerald Ecovations on track sustainability

The huge Whitney Day crowd did more than their share of eating and drinking on Saturday. Over the past decades, the Saratoga Race Course has become as much a food service location as a betting location. This volume of activity inevitably leaves its mark on the environment and by teaming with Emerald Ecovations, the industry leader in sustainable food service, the New York Racing Association is greatly softening that mark.

Emerald Evocations will provide a variety of sustainable food service products for use across Saratoga Race Course, including cups, bowls, containers, napkins, and utensils.  You will see their name emblazoned throughout the racetrack.

Ralph Bianculli, president/CEO of Emerald Ecovations and a horse owner on the circuit, sees NYRA leading the way in sporting facility environmental stewardship.

Your day at the races should leave behind only memories, not environmental refuse,  so kudos to NYRA and Emerald Ecovations and here’s hoping other venues follow.