Saratoga Race Course continues its tradition this year with a nod to the past and an eye towards the future.
The return of the Wilson Chute affects the actual racing and the paddock area suites affect fans - but both are reactions to the evolution of the modern race day.
The Wilson Chute reclaims an area of the parking lot to permit one-mile races on the main track. While not visible from the grandstand or clubhouse seating areas, the Wilson Chute provides a straight run to the clubhouse turn a one and one-half turn mile race. I use the term “reclaim” intentionally as the original Wilson Chute was dismantled in 1972 to provide an additional 100 or so badly needed parking spaces at the time. The more things change the more they stay the same as the need for flat mile races at Saratoga has returned.
A less formal starting position for one-mile main track races was implemented in the early 1990s but abandoned when that configuration proved unworkable in terms of fairness and safety. The inside post positions had a decided advantage and the riding into the first turn proved dangerous. Trainer and bettors alike felt the disadvantage of an outside post position was too difficult to overcome. It is expected the implementation of an actual chute will provide fair racing conditions.
The need for one mile dirt races is to bridge the gap from the elongated sprint distance of seven furlongs and the testing two-turn mile-and-one-eighth races that the main track naturally accommodates. These limitations become particularly troublesome when races originally carded at a mile or longer on the grass are switched to the main track due to adverse weather or track conditions. Often grass horses find negotiating the full two-turn distance on a wet or muddy main track too taxing and the races become non-competitive and unattractive. The alternative of running those races at seven furlongs proves too short for many runners. The Wilson Chute will permit those races to be run at the middle mile distance.
This need is an acknowledgement that horizontal wagering has taken on increased importance in recent years and grass races that are switched to the main track after entries are taken can play havoc with those betting sequences. One can surmise that the option to use the Wilson Chute in those instances might make it more likely that races will be shifted to the main track in borderline conditions.
While the configuration is new to jockeys and bettors alike a similar one has been successfully used at Ellis Park in Kentucky for some time. As of this writing, the permitted field size in races starting from the Wilson Chute has been limited to ten but a final determination will be made once the local riding colony gets to experience the safety of the new run up.
The other new feature to this year’s meet is the construction of a two-story structure to replace the paddock tent bar between the paddock and the racetrack. The paddock tent was simply that – a tent stretched over a square bar near the exit form the paddock. It permitted fans an up-close view of the horses prior to entering the track and proved popular as fans eased into the late day. What it lacked in charm and comfort it made up for in ease of entry and informality.
The new two-story structure seeks to modernize and upgrade the experience. However, it is not without controversy.
The structure continues the trend of building areas of the racecourse to provide food and drink. The modern reality of the race-going experience is that since the majority of the betting handle originates from off-track sources, a longer race day leads to higher handle. The longer race day also requires that race-goers be afforded eating, drinking and resting opportunities and those have become an important source of revenue and exclusivity. This new structure continues that trend. As of now, it appears that only the second level suites will be exclusive areas- let’s hope that remains the fact as the racetrack experience has become increasingly fragmented thereby reducing the shared experience that previously benefited both the wealthy and the working-class thoroughbred fan.
A more immediate concern regarding the new structure is its height and proximity to the walking path from the paddock to the track. Sitting areas directly above horses has raised concerns by horsemen that blowing paper, falling programs or glasses could pose a hazard to skittish thoroughbreds and riders on the way to the track. Obviously, strict policing of behavior on or near these areas will be required to minimize danger to horse and rider.
