The 2022 Saratoga race meet concluded on a cold, dark, rainy Labor Day before of a sparse crowd but even such an ending could not take the luster off an outstanding season.
Live attendance figures topped one million spectators and the overall betting handle shattered all previous marks with more than $860 million wagered over the 40 days. The final three race cards of the meeting featured 37 races and saw an outstanding performance in the older horse division by Olympiad in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the upset of another champion when War Like Goddess came up short at odds of 1-5 in the Flower Bowl Stakes.
The meet had some familiar names at the top of the leader board with Irad Ortiz winning the riding title, Chad Brown the training title and Klaravich Stables wining the owner title.
Among the other stellar performers were jockeys Javier Castellano with a resurgent performance, Flavien Prat closing out strongly in his first Saratoga season and a rejuvenated Jose Ortiz with an agent change midway through the month of August. Midwest trainer Phillip Bauer had an outstanding meet with a limited number of starters. Owner Barry K. Schwartz had an outstanding meet with each of his horses as did Dan Reeves.
Notable milestones included the 1,000 Saratoga victory by Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez and the 1,000th win overall for locally-based owner West Point Thoroughbreds.
By almost any measure the meet was a success with the New York Racing Association successfully adding the Wilson Chute to permit one-mile races on the main track and introducing the new Paddock Bar as a new upscale amenity. The weather largely cooperated allowing 199 races to be run on the two grass courses.
The increase in betting handle of almost $63 million coincided with a $53 million drop in betting handle on other thoroughbred race meets during the same period. While it is always difficult to draw conclusions based on data from a short period of time, it appears bettors gravitated to the quality racing cards put forth by the New York Racing Association at the expense of other race tracks. It is important to note that when simulcasting of races began four decades ago, an expectation was that betting handle would eventually move to the larger racing venues at the expense of the smaller tracks. This may become a trend which will benefit Saratoga if it continues to put on high quality, competitive racing.
However, despite the success of the Saratoga meeting, the racing world was agog this week with a performance on the opposite coast where Flightline remained undefeated in the Pacific Classic Stakes by demolishing Grade 1 competition at San Diego’s Del Mar Racetrack. The lightly raced 4-year-old colt was so impressive in his 19-length victory in near record time that newcomer and veteran fans each were left speechless. Among the accolades bestowed by viewers were “Secretariat-like” and “Best thoroughbred since Spectacular Bid.” The performance was so impressive (as has been his entire career) that Flightline was immediately installed as the odds-on favorite for the Breeder’s Cup Classic to be run on the first weekend in November with speculation that the connections of other horses would opt for other races rather than face him there.
Trainer John Sadler, who has judiciously spaced Flightline’s races throughout his career immediately announced Flightline “would train up to the race” with his next start being the Breeder’s Cup Classic. While one cannot argue with success enjoyed by Flightline under Sadler’s care, the brilliance consistently displayed in the horse’s remarkable career has gone completely unnoticed by the general public. It would be hard to argue that Flightline was not the best horse known by the fewest people. Flightline is partially owned by the aforementioned West Point Thoroughbreds, and it is hoped his career will continue into 2023 before his eventual new career as a stallion. Flightline is breathtaking and racing and its fans would benefit by a 2023 campaign.
On a personal note, this is the last weekly column for now. It has been my great pleasure to write this column each week and share my observations, ideas and thoughts about a sport I love. Feedback provided by readers and fans is always welcome, and I truly appreciate the kind words I have received for my efforts. I may be reached throughout the year for legal or racing advice at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Drop a line to me or the editor This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to share your thoughts. Only ten and one-half months until opening day 2023.
