Displaying items by tag: Saratoga Race Course

My goodness, after reading through The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Safety Committee guidelines, you’d think there was something wrong with horse racing.

There’s lots of sobering material to go through, all of which has the horse’s best interest in mind. But reading through just the headings alone is mildly disturbing. Each one of the headings addresses an issue that horses have endured for the better part of, I don’t know, 100 years. 

Here’s a few juicy ones: 

Anabolic Steroids, Protocol for Investigating and Reporting Fatalities Occurring On-Track, Reformed Racing Medication Rules, Post-Mortem Database, National Uniform Medication Program, Recording Training Fatalities in the Equine Injury Database, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Regulations, Safety Riding Crops, Use of Crop and Use of the Crop and Penalties for Misuse of the Crop.

I like to picture what someone 100 years from now might infer from horse racing. Like, they raced horses? And it was normal that they died. Or they used the whip crop? That seems barbaric.

It’s this latter one that was most recently addressed by The Jockey Club. The crop, whip, whatever you want to call it, should be thrown out in place of conditioning young horses without them and training young riders to find alternative ways to “encourage” their mount to run faster and straighter. If you’ve solicited the services of your local BDSM madam you might think the horse is lucky to get that kind of attention for free. 

Way back on June 17, 2008, The Jockey Club put together its first recommendation on safety riding crops. It’s cute because instead of using the delete key, the author of the report merely drew lines through Section A1. Allow me to transcribe: 

“No whip shall be used unless it has affixed to the end of it a looped leather popper not less than one and one quarter inches in width, and not over three inches in length, and be feathered above the popper with not less than three rows of leather feathers each feather not less than one inch in length. No whip shall exceed 31 inches in length. All whips riding crops are subject to inspection and approval by the stewards.”

So eight years after the first report, The Jockey Club released a fresher set of guidelines with more granularity into the use of the whip riding crop.

So finally, finally, in 2019 we get this and The Jockey Club must be commended for coming out strongly on this. Nobody outside of Norway — that’s right, Norway — has outright banned riding crops (Norway did it 20 years ago. Norway has horse racing?)

The riding crop may no longer be used for encouragement. It shall only be used to avoid dangerous situations to horse and rider. In races where a jockey will not be using a whip, it will be announced over the PA. Should that crop make a pop on the horse’s body, the stewards are to review the use to determine if a breach of rules took place. 

For races under $100,000, a jock’s first offense comes with a minimum 14-day suspension and fined the equivalent of 50% of a jockey’s earning for that race.

For races with a total purse over $100,000, jockeys might want to consider holstering that crop. First offense is a minimum 28-day suspension and a fine of 100% of the jockey’s earnings for that race. 

One presumes that races with purses exceeding $100,000 could possibly be on national television. The penalty is brutal. As it should.

I think there’s a significant chunk of horse racing fans that are conflicted about their stewardship of the game. On the one hand it can be thrilling; these animals are gorgeous, muscular, charismatic and athletic; you can gamble on them and maybe make a buck or two worth blowing at The Parting Glass. 

On the left hand, these horses are subjected to physical rigors the likes of which few people or animals know; they can die, riders can die; horses get whipped, drugged, castrated, lip chained, injected, and then after they’ve plateaued they might get run through the claiming ranks until some generous soul decided to make a nice pet of this warhorse. And that’s the upside.

Point being, anything that ensures these horses don’t incur anymore undue discomfort or pain for our entertainment is a move worth celebrating. 

We can lament that it took this long. Hopefully there’s a steward whose only job is to watch for the riding crop in every race and hopefully they come down hard.

This sport ran out of eyes to blacken a long time ago, so taking away the whip puts a cold steak on one of the many shiners.

Brendan O’Meara is a freelance writer and author of Six Weeks in Saratoga. He lives in Eugene, OR. 
@BrendanOMeara

On a picture-perfect day fit for the Queen of Saratoga, fans from all walks of life, both fillies and colts, were resplendent in pink to honor their beloved Marylou, and to watch the 92nd running of the Grade 1, million dollar race that bears her name.

Nobody left disappointed, as even the most grizzled gamblers couldn’t complain about the beautiful weather or great racing, and anyone with a pulse had to be touched by the outpouring of love for Marylou Whitney.

The weekend started off on Friday morning at the Fasig-Tipton Pavilion where twelve Pillars of the Turf were honored, including Marylou. It seems such a shame that this much deserved honor was not bestowed upon Marylou earlier, as it certainly would’ve been wonderful if she could’ve enjoyed this shining moment while she was still with us.

Also inducted was the regal champion Royal Delta. The daughter of Empire Maker, who won back-to-back editions of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (now the Distaff), and three consecutive Eclipse Awards from 2011-2013, tragically passed away due to foaling complications in 2017 at just 9-years-old.

In a magnificent career that spanned three+ seasons, I consider myself blessed to have been able to see “Royal” race in person six times. Ironically, I saw the great champion lose as many times as she won, but the impression the big, bold beauty left was indelible.

Royal made her debut at the Spa in the 2011 Coaching Club American Oaks, but was beaten by It’s Tricky, who would become her fierce rival. Royal came right back to avenge this loss in the Alabama, where she beat It’s Tricky by 5-1/2 lengths for her first Grade 1 victory.

Following Royal’s victory over It’s Tricky in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs, Benjamin Leon of Besilu Stables waged a bidding war with Adena Springs owner Frank Stronach to purchase her rights. The gavel was struck at $8.5 million.

Leon chose to continue racing Royal in 2012, and she would return to the Spa in late August to run in the Personal Ensign. She was visibly agitated and washed out prior to the race, and ended up losing by a half length to longshot Love and Pride.

Royal would come back with a vengeance in the Beldame that September, where she dominated her rival It’s Tricky with a crushing 9-1/2 length victory. She would follow this up with another Breeders’ Cup victory when she defeated a game challenger in My Miss Aurelia.

Royal returned to the Spa as a 5-year-old and avenged her previous year’s loss in the Personal Ensign with yet another dominating performance. Mike Smith gave up the mount on Bob Baffert’s Game On Dude this same day in the Pacific Classic to remain on another Hall of Famer’s charge with Bill Mott’s Royal Delta.

In retrospect, I imagine that Mikey was very happy to have made this decision, as it would become Royal’s final victory. She would lose next time out to local owner Ed Stanko’s Kentucky Oaks winner, Princess of Sylmar, on Super Saturday at Belmont in the Beldame.

And in the final race of her career, Royal came in 4th in the Breeders’ Cup behind the winner, Beholder, in a compact field that also included Close Hatches, Authenticity and Princess of Sylmar.

Royal would become a broodmare in 2014, and Benjamin Leon sent her to Ireland to be bred to leading sire Galileo at Coolmore. She did not get in foal in 2014, and miscarried the next season. 

The joy of finding out that she was finally in foal to Galileo in 2016 quickly turned to sadness and devastation when we heard the heartbreaking news that she had died while giving birth in February of 2017.

Royal’s lone foal thankfully survived and is named Delta’s Royalty. Leon sent her to trainer Roger Varian in Newmarket, England, and hopefully we shall soon see the regally bred 2-year-old filly race. Benjamin has said that she will never be sold, because of who she represents to him as the sole offspring of his beloved Royal Delta.

Mike Smith and Bob Baffert returned to Saratoga last Saturday and continued their winning ways, as once again they departed victorious. Their 4-5 favorite McKinzie broke well, and under another masterful ride by Big $$ Mike made it look easy.

Preservationist took the early lead, while Mike stayed in the mix, sitting pretty in 2nd. Mike made one of his typical gutsy calls when he asked McKinzie to ease back and make an inside-out move, and he responded.

Mike was able to take control of the pace and the race, and McKinzie recorded a 111 Beyer for his efforts. Although Yoshida made an impressive late run, Mike was never worried, as he knew McKinzie had plenty left in his tank, and rode him in hand across the wire.

The miserable traffic jam Mike encountered in the Met Mile had left a foul taste that was still fresh. His decision to let McKinzie fall to the back of the pack on the inside rail at Belmont backfired, and Big $$ Mike was not about to let that happen again.

The stinging memory of that loss to Mitole propelled both Baffert’s and Smith’s strong desire to come back in a big way with their talented horse, and there’s certainly no better way to do that than to win a monster race at Saratoga.

Baffert and Smith expressed sadness after the Whitney that Marylou was not there in the Winner’s  Circle to present them with the coveted silver chalice. It was obviously a bittersweet victory for both Hall of Famers, who were nonetheless honored to celebrate the new Hall of Famer’s memory by winning the race just 15 days after her passing.

Surprisingly, this was the first Whitney victory in Baffert’s storied career, and only the second for Smith, who won his first Whitney 26-years-ago aboard Brunswick.

It was also a very emotional victory for Bob because McKinzie is named after his dear friend Brad McKinzie, a former racing executive at Los Alamitos and college buddy of Bob’s.

Brad McKinzie sadly passed away a couple years ago at just 62. Nicknamed “Big Brad,” which Baffert and owner Mike Pegram had actually considered when naming the horse, McKinzie was known for his equally big heart, and it’s apparent that his equine namesake possesses the same trait.

Jaime Roth credits the great Rachel Alexandra for sparking her interest in horseracing and making her a huge fan 10-years-ago. She parlayed that initial obsession into a joint thoroughbred venture with her parents, Larry and Nanci, forming LNJ Foxwoods. Dad Larry is also the co-owner of the Adelphi Hotel, along with his son David, and their three restaurants, The Blue Hen, Salt & Char and Morrissey’s, while Jaime focuses on the horses.

Jaime has to be tickled pink with the work that Alex Solis, II and Jason Litt of Solis/Litt Bloodstock have done for her. Alex, the son of the Hall of Fame jockey from Panama with the same name, has already been a bloodstock agent for 15 years at just 35-years-old. When he helped find Covfefe for Jaime it was just another feather in his cap.

The 3-year-old daughter of Into Mischief initially flashed her potential brilliance when she blazed her way to a track record in the Grade 3 Miss Preakness,  her first graded stakes victory.

Covfefe, named after the infamous Twitter blunder by the POTUS, faltered slightly last time out in the Roxelana Stakes at Churchill Downs, when she lost to her older half-sister Mia Mischief. But she was all business in the 94th running of the $500K, Grade 1 Test when she and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress engaged in a stirring stretch battle.

Although it was a shame that either trainer Brad Cox or Tom Amoss had to lose this exciting battle between their determined fillies, it was a rousing celebration filled with tears of joy for Jaime Roth, her family and
their connections.

In the inaugural running of the $750K Saratoga Oaks Invitational last Friday, the second leg of the new Turf Tiara, Concrete Rose established her dominance in the series when she cruised on auto-pilot through dawdling fractions, and then kicked clear to win by 4-3/4 lengths over Aidan O’Brien’s Irish invader Happen.

Rusty Arnold’s daughter of Twirling Candy remains undefeated in 2019, and is 5-6 in her career, with Julian Leparoux aboard for every race. Her lone blemish was in last year’s Grade 1 Juvenile Fillies Turf Breeders’ Cup when she lost to Newspaperofrecord. She avenged that loss in the Grade 3 Edgewood on the Kentucky Oaks undercard.

Concrete Rose won the first leg of the Turf Tiara in the $750K, Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational on the Stars and Stripes card, and Rusty expects to go for the crown in the third leg, the Jockey Club Oaks, on September 7, also at Big Sandy.

Arnold has also said that he’d like to run her in the Grade 1, QEII (Queen Elizabeth II) on October 12 at her Keeneland base. This will only leave three weeks between racing, however, as the Breeders’ Cup will follow quickly on November 2.

For 12 years fans have flocked to the Jockeys vs Trainers/Horsemen Basketball Game to benefit the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy, as a fun evening for a great cause is always guaranteed.

Chaplain Humberto Chavez, his wife Karen who is the General Manager, and Programs Director Nick Caras dedicate their lives ministering to the backstretch community, which is why this annual event is so important.

Coach Angel Cordero and the Jocks take it seriously, and come out with their game faces on, while Todd Pletcher and Kiaran McLaughlin sit stoically as they coach the other side.

In spite of having some “ringers” with size to match honorary Jocks teammate, former Knick Charles Smith, the speed and quickness of two-time MVP Manny Franco and the Ortiz bros is too much to overcome, as is the natural talent of Joel Rosario, Jr. The jockey’s son is a spitting image of his Dad, but over a foot taller, and he made a difference last Thursday night at the Y.

Once again the Jocks prevailed in a thriller that went down to the wire, as they pulled out a 56-53 victory. But most importantly, they honored those that are the heart and soul of the racing industry by coming out to support the charitable efforts of the Chaplaincy that serves them.

One of my favorite things about a day at the track is the people I meet hanging out at the rail by the Winner’s Circle. On Whitney Day two beautiful young girls who were at the races for the very first time struck up a conversation with me, and I quickly found out that Julie is the sister-in-law of Siena’s new head basketball coach, Carm Maciariello, Jr.

Julie, who was recently married, was visiting from Boston with her BFF since Kindergarten, Katie. Julie’s sister/Carm’s wife Laura is a nurse in the Track Infirmary, and it was just like kismet that we met.

People that know me well know that I am passionate about both horseracing and basketball, so it was like a meeting from Heaven! Julie and Katie were as nice as they were beautiful, and it was such fun to learn about the connection to Carm and his wife Laura and their 2-year-old daughter Reese.

Carm was a star at Shenendehowa and led the Plainsmen to a Section II title, and was also the Times Union Player of the Year.

He spent three years at New Hampshire before coming home to play for Siena his Senior year. After graduation, Carm played in Italy for four years, and then returned to his Alma Mater and became the Director of Basketball Operations under Fran McCaffery.

Following brief stints at Fairfield and Providence under Ed Cooley, Carm spent two years as an assistant at Boston University. He moved on to George Washington, and was on the Colonials staff when they won the 2016 NIT Championship.

He returned to Siena in 2018 as an assistant to Jamion Christian, and was elevated to head coach in March when Christian accepted the head job at George Washington.

And so it is...just another day at Saratoga, where people from all walks of life gather for a few glorious hours to forget about the real world outside the gates of the historic oval.

At this time in the meet, things get a bit drowsy. The honeymoon of the start of the meet effectively ends with the running of the Whitney Invitational. It’s hot, oh, so hot.

No disrespect intended for the fillies running in the Alabama Stakes, but it’s caught in between the Whitney and the Travers, and the weeks that bridge the two are kind of like the middle movie of a trilogy when you don’t necessarily know how the entire production ends. 

Naturally, the mind wanders.

And so it was this past week that the older horses took to the track with McKinzie solidifying his stance atop the older division. The older division, of course, eventually ages out, and this brings me to where my mind wandered this week.

We pay so much attention to the birthing of foals, the selling of yearlings and two-year-olds, the big sale, their racing careers and if they’re lucky, their amazing chances to be one of the great stallions or broodmares of a generation.

Problem is, quite literally, very little attention is given to a horse’s retirement, its aftercare, the 20 years of vibrant life still in those bones. Sure, American Pharoah gets the proper sendoff, but what about a career claimer with 50 races under his girth?

It’s barely a thought. There’s no gold watch at the end of a career for thousands upon thousands of horses that pour their guts out. Sure, some give more than others, but they run as fast as they can for as long as they can so we can place a wager and lose a few bucks. 

As it stands, thoroughbreds remind me — to no fault of their own because, you know, horses — of the type of person who fails to save for retirement. The day is coming. You don’t want to be a Walmart greeter out of necessity. And how many people don’t start thinking about saving because they need $100 today instead of what that $100 could compound to in 40 years? 

So these horses don’t get to “save for retirement.” They get spit out the other end with no 401k, no company match, no Roth IRA, no dividends to draw from, no Social Security. Horses are basically millenials.

Now perhaps I’m ill informed and, if so, that’s on me, but I don’t see the breeders, tracks, or horsemen kicking into a fund to ensure these horses have a home once they’re done tacking up. In fact, looking at the sponsors page to Old Friends, only one sponsor is a track: Keeneland. The rest are a bevy of other people and organizations chipping in their tax deductible donations for the expensive care of these great animals.

This is the problem, so what’s the solution? Frankly, if you’re going to bring a foal into this world, you see it out of the world. I don’t care what the cost is. I don’t care if stud fees and the like have to increase. Retirement is part of the cost of breeding. 

If a breeding operation will invest in foaling the next great Grade 1-winner or a flashy two-year-old that never makes it to the track, that breeder effectively takes care of the horse’s retirement. It saves up a college fund. It sets up its retirement account. That horse brought into this life won’t die in state-sponsored hospice. It guarantees the future is safe and sound for the horse that knew nothing but to give, give, give. 

We’ve all heard the horror stories of how horses past their prime that are too expensive to care for, too much of a burden, end up in slaughterhouse auctions. As if that’s not bad enough, try picturing the year or two years or maybe three years the horse was put through the paces, the borderline torture to run against all logic, to then be rewarded by the blade.

No, there are options for these great athletes. Old Friends is perhaps the most famous. It cares for so many past champions and non-champions alike. There are other farms, no doubt, and they all rely so heavily on donations from generous people with deep and shallow pockets alike.

I know we look at the major breeding operations and think that they must mint money, that their pockets have no bottoms. And maybe to some extent that’s true. But with high success also comes high cost. We need leaders. 

So what if they chose to lead? If 10% (or name any number) of every stud fee from a live foal creates a general fund where nonprofits can draw from based on need, horse population, vet bills, etc, then every single horse that sets foot on a shedrow, a training track, and maybe even makes it to the winner’s circle will have a home and care for the rest of their days. There’s other ways to shave a few dollars for this account. 

Win or lose, that horse will have all the care it needs until they eat their last oat and tug at their last tuft of grass.

I can’t think of anything more noble for the leaders to do than to guarantee that every horse born into this world leaves a grizzled old champion.

Brendan O’Meara is a freelance writer and author of Six Weeks in Saratoga. He lives in Eugene, OR.  (@BrendanOMeara)

No matter how hard Ma Nature has tried to ruin great days of racing at Saratoga’s signature meet this year, she was no match for the talent on display this past weekend.

From the record-breaking performance by Imperial Hint in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt, to the smashing dominance of Shancelot in the Amsterdam on Sunday, and from the huge win for trainer Danny Gargan with Tax in the Jim Dandy, to the hard fought victory of Channel Cat for Todd Pletcher in the Bowling Green, fans were treated to a smorgasbord of delights.

Imperial Hint, the little horse with the BIG heart, returned to a standing ovation at the Spa, as the savvy fans greeted Luis Carvajal, Jr.’s repeat winner of the Grade 1, Alfred G. Vanderbilt with thunderous cheers on his way to the Winner’s Circle. They knew they had witnessed not only a superb, encore performance by the speedy 6-year-old son of Imperialism, but also a track record being broken.

In his first victory in almost 10 months, after going winless in two dull starts in 2019, it seemed almost impossible that Imperial Hint could again dominate his competition, and particularly Steve Asmussen’s extremely talented 1-2 favorite Mitole, who was on a 7-race win streak after capturing the Grade 1 Met Mile June 8.

But dominate he did! Not only did the Florida-bred win by 4 lengths under a hand ride by Hall of Famer Javi Castellano, who sat motionless atop, he broke the 15-year-old 6 furlong track record set by Speightstown in the 2004 Vandy of 1:08.04, by blazing across the wire in 1:07.92.

Imperial Hint swung out four wide at the top of the stretch, and quickly made mincemeat out of Mitole, Strike Power and Diamond Oops, as he left them in his wake, recording a 114 Beyer for his efforts.

After a strenuous trip to Dubai, and a third place finish behind winner XY Jet in the Grade 1 Golden Shaheen, Luis suggested to owner Ray Mamone that his little rocket ship needed a temporary grounding, and Ray agreed. Luis sent Imperial Hint to the Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center, and he credits his freshening at this highly regarded facility for once again putting the wind beneath Imperial Hint’s wings.

The 47-year-old native of Santiago, Chile will most likely look to the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont to see if his Jersey-based star can be a repeat winner there, too, and will use it as his prep for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita. Hopefully he’ll be able to avenge his 2nd and 3rd place finishes behind Roy H in the past two editions with a victory this year.

Bowling Green Park in lower Manhattan is the oldest public park in New York City, having been designated as a park in 1733. It also served as council ground for Native American tribes, and was the site of the legendary sale of Manhattan to Peter Minuit in 1626.

Although the Grade 2, Bowling Green Stakes at the Spa, for which it was named after, is only in its 61st year, it is nonetheless rich in tradition, and serves as the major local prep for the $850K Grade 1 Sword Dancer on the Travers Day card.

For this reason alone, Todd Pletcher had to be very pleased to capture the mile and 3 furlongs race on the inner turf. But when you consider that his victorious Channel Cat, Calumet Farm’s homebred, is the son of English Channel, a champion horse he trained, it had to be that much sweeter.

English Channel won 13 races and six Grade 1s for Todd, amassing $5,319,028 in earnings. His final win was perhaps his most memorable, as he raced to a sloppy, seven length victory in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf, setting a race record on his way to the Eclipse Award for Turf Male.

In a stellar field of 12 that included Bill Mott’s Channel Maker, another son of English Channel, Brad Cox’s Arklow, Tom Albertrani’s Sadler’s Joy, Michael Maker’s Zulu Alpha, and three Chad Brown entries, most notably Focus Group, it was nice to see someone other than Chad win a big turf stakes.

Channel Cat’s gutsy victory and career-best 102 Beyer for Todd was a much needed breath of fresh air for many who are suffocated by Chad’s inordinate dominance.

The 56th running of the $600K Grade 2 Jim Dandy was a continuation of the feel good storyline in Saturday’s graded stakes. Trainer Danny Gargan’s $50K former claimer, Tax, fulfilled not only his dreams, but his prognostications from the entire week leading up to the big race.

The Saturday before the Jim Dandy, Tax posted a bullet half-mile breeze in :47, the best of 71 at that distance. He was switched to glue-on shoes following some hoof issues when he ran 4th in the Belmont, and it was game on from there.

Although he was understandably nervous leading up to the race, Danny was extremely confident about his 3-year-old Arch gelding’s chances of being victorious in the Jim Dandy for his loyal owners.

When Danny initially asked Randy Hill about dropping a claim slip on Tax, who was running for a $50K tag in a maiden race at Keeneland last October, Randy declined. He had just spent a wad on a share of Channel Maker, the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic winner, so he wasn’t primed for another investment 

Danny turned to his old friend Hugh Lynch who obliged, so they dropped a slip and won a 7-way shake to acquire the Adele Dilschneider/ Claiborne Farm’s gelding. A month later, Lucas Stritsman of Troy, New York wisely bought a share in Tax.

Five weeks later they entered the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct, and after a respectable third place finish in the prestigious stakes for 2-year-olds going a mile and an eighth, Randy Hill and partner Dean Reeves’ interest was piqued when Danny reached out again.

They jumped on board with a 50% share at a cost of about $175K with incentives that included making Randy the managing partner. Lynch retained an interest along with partner Stritsman and his Corms Racing Stable.

Danny has had a close relationship with the 43-year-old Stritsman since meeting him at Gulfstream in 2013. Lucas and his brother Evan own Fire Hearth and Patio in Colonie, the company their Dad started in his garage 4 decades ago.

Lucas and Danny have enjoyed great success with another claimer, Divine Miss Grey, who they got in a 4-way shake for just $16K in 2017 at Gulfstream. They subsequently brought in partners Hill and Reeves, as the determined filly was on her way to earnings of $613, 200 in 2018.

Stritsman’s good friend Matt Canfield sadly passed away far too soon at just 35 in 2011. Lucas decided to honor his friend by using his nickname “Corms” for the name of his new racing venture, and I imagine that he’s making the original “Corms” very proud today.

Animated Randy Hill, the 72-year-old native of Franklin Lakes, NJ, and a financial services executive, used to go to Monmouth with his Mom as a kid, and always dreamed of winning a race at Saratoga. A successful Wall Street deal in 2000 was the beginning of making his dream come true.

Reeves, a native of Atlanta and a 1973 graduate of Georgia Tech, where he was also a member of the Yellow Jackets Basketball team, became involved in the sport 10 years ago when he and his wife Patti formed Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. Dean is the founder of Gwinnett National Bank and the current Chairman of the Board for Reeves Young Contracting, while Patti owns a media/advertising company.

Dean and Randy Hill met in Saratoga and became fast buddies based on shared life experiences. They have formed quite the bond with Danny Gargan, and the young trainer is certainly blessed to have these guys in his corner.

Danny grew up in Louisville, a stone’s throw from Churchill Downs, where his Dad with the same name was a successful jockey, winning the 1973 Kentucky Oaks. Although big Danny very sadly passed away when the young Danny was only 4-years-old, the horses were already in his blood.

As Danny gravitated toward the backstretch growing up, one of his early mentors was my dear buddy Merrill Scherer, who just turned 80 on July 21. Danny soaked up knowledge from Merrill and Mark Hennig, among others, and at 21-years-old was hired by Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito.

Danny was an assistant to Nick for 6 years, and was with him in 1994 when he won the Kentucky Derby with Go For Gin.

Danny eventually moved on to a new endeavor when he decided to become a jockey agent. He carried the book for Jesus Castanon, Patrick Valenzuela and Brian Hernandez, Jr., before deciding to make another move in 2013.

Upon the urging of P.J. Campo, who at the time was NYRA’s Director of Racing, Danny decided to open his own stable, and a budding career began.

Although it was a shame to see the 8-5 favorite Tacitus stumble so badly out of the gate, it was still wonderful to watch the joy on Danny and his owners’ faces when Tax captured the Jim Dandy.

Under a masterful ride by Irad Ortiz, Jr., a very tenacious Tax held off the late challenge of Irad’s brother Jose aboard Tacitus, who made an amazing recovery from last to finish 2nd by 3/4 of a length. Stanley Hough’s Peter Pan winner Global Campaign held on for 3rd.

Preakness winner War of Will was no factor, as he dragged jockey Tyler Gafflione out too fast, and then tired trying to rally. Trainer Mark Casse offered no excuses, but was somewhat baffled by WOW’s change in behavior.

It will be very interesting to see how the Travers plays out when you add the likes of Jason Servis’ Maximum Security and Bob Baffert’s Game Winner to the mix, both owned by Gary and Mary West.

It also appears that Chad Brown found his Travers horse when Will Farish’s homebred Highest Honors, a grey son of Tapit, won the Curlin last Friday. He beat his previously undefeated stablemate Looking at Bikinis, multiple Grade 1-placed Rowayton, and Todd Pletcher’s classic starter Intrepid Heart.

Kiaran McLaughlin’s Endorsed finished 2nd in the Curlin and could be headed to the Travers, too, along with Brad Cox’s Owendale, the Ohio Derby winner who came in 3rd in the Preakness.

Will Farish, like Gary and Mary West, will likely have two starters in the Travers, with both Highest Honors, and Shug Mcgaughey’s Code of Honor, the winner of the Dwyer.

Although many have questioned the training “tactics” of Jorge Navarro, you can’t deny the speed created in his horses, from Private Zone to Sharp Azteca, and from XY Jet to his latest speedball Shancelot.

Shancelot, the son of Shanghai Bobby,  demolished the 11 horse field in Sunday’s Grade 2 6-1/2 furlong Amsterdam, when he blazed to a 12-1/2  length victory.

He set fractions of :21.79 and :43.94, and actually  had a 6 furlong split time of 1:07.63 that was faster than Imperial Hint’s record-breaking time set the day before. His tour de force gave him an ungodly 121 Beyer, the highest sprint figure since Midnight Lute’s 124 in the 2007 Forego.

The weekend closed on a high note with the annual PDJF Fundraiser, Riders Up/East Coast. The annual Jockeyoke contest is always a big hit for good reason, and this year was no exception.

Fan favorites Johnny Velazquez and his beautiful wife Leona once again took home the People’s Choice Award. They brought the house down with their hilarious rendition of the iconic Saturday Night Live skit/duet that featured the late Patrick Swayze and the late Chris Farley as dancers in a Chippendales audition.

They sung along to Loverboy’s Working for the Weekend, while Leona, as Chris, stripped down to a Suma wrestler-type bare chested costume, jiggling the “fake fat” to the beat!

Another memorable performance was NYRA handicapper Anthony Stabile as rapper Eminem’s alter-ego Slim Shady, with sidekick Larry Collmus along for the ride. And last but not least were Jose Ortiz and Dylan Davis singing Lil’ Nas X’s viral hit Old Town Road, and thankfully, they have promising day jobs!

Contact Louisa “Weezie” Foye at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

There’s something so refreshing about the older division in horse racing.
We get to see horses come into their own skin. 

If they weren’t super precocious as a three-year-old — the only age that seems to matter to most people who tune in to watch horse racing — seeing a horse like Thunder Snow or Vino Rosso run into maturity is as fun as it is rewarding.

Those two will be squaring off in the Grade 1 Whitney Invitational this Saturday. It’s a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. 

As nice as those two horses are, with Thunder Snow being the bank (over $16 million in earnings), it’s McKinzie who’s taking all the money as the 7-5 favorite on the A.M. line. This son of Street Sense has finished in the exacta in every race he’s run except one. That being the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic. 

Last out he lost. He suffered a bad trip (who hasn’t, am I right?) in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap but still finished second.

“He breezed [at Del Mar] yesterday and we thought it went really well,” Bob Baffert said in a NYRA release. “We’re excited and really looking forward to running in this race. He’s trained forwardly since the Met Mile and he’s come out of that race really well. It’s unfortunate we didn’t get the trip we really wanted there, but now going a mile and eighth hopefully will give him a little more time to work out a better trip.”

Nine furlongs should suit the horse. Drawing Post 6 puts him between Yoshida, a loper, to his right, and Vino Rosso, a horse of similar running style to his left. Will that leave McKinzie hung wide? Meh. It probably puts him in a tactical sweet spot for jockey Big Money Magic Mike Smith. 

When Smith saw a hole open up in the Met Mile, McKinzie took off like he was running from the cops. It was a thrilling finish, which also included Thunder Snow, the horse who only wins Dubai World Cups.

“He had a strong seven-furlong workout the other morning, which I’m sure a lot of folks saw,” Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin, said in a NYRA release. “He’s full of energy. He’s carrying great weight. He’s not short on sky miles and he’s a great traveler and very, very versatile, as you’ve seen from the Met Mile and other races around the world.

Thunder Snow, who has never won a race in America, at 3-1, seems like steal. Watching his past two Dubai World Cups was like watching a champ arrive and then watching a champ remind you he hadn’t gone anywhere. He outlasted Gronkowski (words seldom mentioned) in the most recent renewal of the World Cup. Thunder Snow has raced only twice this year. His comeback race was the Dubai World Cup. He followed that up with a one-turn mile and got clipped at the wire to finish third in the Met. Now, back to two turns, his second race back in the States, it’s time for this old saw to buzz one right over their noses.

“I think the two turns will be helpful and I think what you saw was that he was able to hang on in a very contentious field in the Met Mile,” Bell said. “A mile and a quarter is right up his alley, but I think he’ll be very competitive going a mile and an eighth.”

Getting back to the original point that the older horses grow into their skin as they get under ours (in a good way) is the remarkable meaning of why it’s important for these horses to stay in training. And good on the owners who aren’t rushing them off to stud. And good on the trainers who must, no doubt, develop programs around a more mature physique, perhaps heavier, more muscular way of moving. 

In any case, with a greater body of work, you get to feel a part of a greater journey. I watched Thunder Snow’s Met Mile when he got beat. Then I watched his 2019 World Cup where he out-manned Gronkowski (words seldom mentioned). Then I watched the 2018 World Cup when he exploded down the lane in a huge upset. 

I’m on board! I’m on Team Thunder Snow! We’re both Irish breds! Sadness runs through our veins!

I don’t share this feeling if I watch Justify’s races from last year, a truly — and I never thought I would ever in a quadrillion years say this — forgettable Triple Crown.

But with Thunder Snow et al, I’m all in, battle wounds, battle scars and all.

Brendan O’Meara is a freelance writer and author of Six Weeks in Saratoga. He lives in Eugene, Oregon. (@BrendanOMeara) 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – It is sunrise at Saratoga Race Course. On either side of Union Avenue, the work of tending to the horses by members of the backstretch community is already underway.

Here at the barns, many will work through the morning. For some, there is a mid-day break before returning for a few more hours of work in the late afternoon and early evening. Others have second jobs at the main track across the street. They work in food service, as parking attendants, or among the cleaning crews.

It is a routine much like any other year, but in the summer of 2019 the normal rhythm of the week is different. For racing fans, racehorse owners, trainers, managers, and the community of backstretch workers who live temporarily on-site, an adjustment is underway.  

Saratoga as a thoroughbred racing mecca was inaugurated in August 1863 on the north side of Union Avenue as a four-day meet. By the early 1900’s the length of the meet was extended to five weeks, the dates mostly congregated during the month of August. Overall, there were 24 such days in the 1960s as the Northway extended through the Spa City. Three decades later the number of race days incrementally increased: first to 30, then 34, and eventually 36.  For the 2010 season, the New York Racing Association expanded racing days in Saratoga from 36 to 40 racing days – which is where it remains to this day. The racing goes on six days a week. Tuesday had been designated as the “dark” day off.

In February, NYRA announced it was adjusting the racing dates for both the 2019 Belmont Park spring/summer and the Saratoga summer meet. The adjustment was made to accommodate the construction of an arena for the National Hockey League's New York Islanders at Belmont Park. This week, Michael Anderson of the website Fansided, reported that groundbreaking for the arena will get underway after Labor Day, with a completion and opening for the start of the October 2021 hockey season.

The opening of the Saratoga meet, which typically has started July 20 or later, this year began July 11. The number of racing days – 40 – remain the same. To compensate for the extended time in the Spa City a second “dark” day was added, extending Tuesday’s typical off-day to Monday and Tuesday each week.    The changes, at least at this point, appear to be temporary. 

“It’s been a learning experience for us and for the people and for the agencies to learn what are people going to do and where are they going to be,” says Nick Caras. Caras helps coordinate events and activities, among other things, for the backstretch community as programs director of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America’s New York Division.  “But, so far, I haven’t seen one person who doesn’t like the two days off. Not one,” he says.  

Mother Nature has also provided her own kinks. Two weeks into the meet, live racing was shortened  to four races due to heavy rain on July 25, and the entire racing card was cancelled July 20 due to excessive heat.  

The NY Racetrack Chaplaincy assists with the challenges facing the community of backstretch workers and their families, and helps provide resources to address those challenges at all three N.Y. racetracks, providing extensive programs and daily one-on-one meetings and counseling. The backstretch community numbers more than 800 people.

“Right now people are just getting accustomed to the two days off, there’s no norm yet,” Caras says. This is only week two, so people are still testing the waters: what do I do with these extra days? I definitely see a lot of that.” 

Eduardo Roa works in the jockey silks room. He has used the extra day off to take a ride to Cooperstown with three of his friend, as well as make it back home downstate and see his family. “I’ve been coming to Saratoga a long time, maybe 20 years or more,” Roa says. “It’s a very big difference between last year and now. The six days of races (in the past) was a lot. To have two days off, now I can go back home to the Bronx and see the family.”

“We feel more comfortable now with two days off,” says worker Fausto Morrocho, who spent some down time in the backstretch Recreation Hall, flanked by a quartet of pool tables, a foosball game and  ping-pong table. Twenty chairs sit in a semi-circle aimed at a pair of wall-mounted TVs, framed by a two vending machines: one dispenses candy snacks, the other, sodas. A posted sheaf of paper tacked to the wall announces the Monday night soccer tournaments in red hand-written marker.

“I’ve been coming up here 16 years now,” Morrocho says. ”The two days off are nice because we can go back and see our families. My family - my wife and my step-daughter – are back in New York. So, it’s much better. And it helps the riding work with the horses.”

“This week, with the extra day off from the horses, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association paid for a bus for 55 people to go to New York. In the past, with one day off out of those 55, that may have been one person who was able to go back,” Caras says. “They’re able to schedule their day off and go home. So right there that’s a big difference.”

About 70 percent of the Saratoga backstretch population come up to work from the Belmont and Aqueduct areas, says Caras, who has been involved with the Race Track Chaplaincy for several years and previously worked for NYRA for more than a quarter-century. “They’re loving the extra day off. Whether they get to go home, just sleep an additional 10 hours or go shopping. Eight people I know of went over to Brown’s Beachand another group of people went up to Lake George. The biggest difference this year with years past is they’re doing things more – even recreation – with a relaxed frame of mind.”

Backstretch activities include soccer games on Mondays and learning English as a Second Language on Tuesdays and Thursdays – the latter run by Saratoga EOC. John Hendrickson and the late Marylou Whitney helped create backstretch programs that this year run through August. The backstretch calendar depicts trips to the bowling alley and the rodeo, bingo games, a cruise on Lake George and a series of Sunday dinners that range from Italian to Mexican and a night of hot BBQ.

Downstate racing with days off is a different scenario because the majority of the backstretch community people are home, Caras explains. “When you’re at Belmont or Aqueduct you’re home. You have familiar surroundings. You know where you’re going to go to shop, where you do your laundry, you know where the eateries are and when things are open, so the lifestyle and our role in activities is much different at Belmont and Aqueduct than it is here, because that’s home base for 70 percent of the people. And when you’re home base, you’re a lot more self-sufficient. While we still pitch in and create activities, it’s not as necessary,” he says.   

“Our Chaplaincy in New York is located in all three racetracks. As a matter of fact, right now I’m fine- tuning a trip today that’s going to leave Belmont and Aqueduct and go to South Street seaport and they’re going to ride that speedboat called The Beast,” Caras says. “Last week, 55 people from both those racetracks, families and those who work there, went to Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night. We received some free tickets for that, and the Horsemen paid for the bus. On Thursday, 55 people went to Coney Island and used the beach. Friday night the families gathered, and there were 25 kids at a soccer clinic at Belmont. So, there’s still stuff going on down there, because while Daddy may be up here working, the majority of the families and kids by far are still there.”  

Friday, July 26

• CURLIN
Friday will feature the $100,000 Curlin for 3-year-olds at nine furlongs.

• TASTE NY: CRAFT BEER & CIDER
Taste NY: Craft Beer & Cider will allow guests the opportunity to sample numerous craft beers and ciders produced exclusively by New York State breweries and cideries. Live music will accompany the tasting each Friday from noon to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Guests will enjoy five samples for $5. Must be 21 years or older to participate.

Saturday, July 27

• JIM DANDY DAY
A trio of graded stakes headlines one of the most highly anticipated Saturdays on the Saratoga calendar. The traditional local prep for the Travers, the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy presented by NYRA Bets, will be joined by the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green.

• 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 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a suggested donation to PDJF. Fans who donate $5 will receive a commemorative "Riders Up!" poster, while supplies last, and will be entered to win a framed limited edition "150 Years of Racing at Saratoga" print.

• FASHION SATURDAYS
Designed to showcase the tradition of style in thoroughbred racing, the weekly event will feature women’s and men’s fashion apparel from local retailers, as well as a selection of home décor and jewelry items. The event will be held each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion.

• WOODFORD RESERVE BOURBON SATURDAYS 
Fans will be invited to enjoy specialty drinks and selections from Woodford Reserve at the Jim Dandy Bar each Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. 

• KETEL ONE SATURDAYS
Fans are invited to sample the new Ketel One Botanicals from 3 to 5 p.m. each Saturday outside the entrance to The Stretch. 

Sunday, July 28

• AMSTERDAM
Sunday's card will feature the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam for 3-year-olds at six and half furlongs.

• FAMILY FUN DAY AT THE RAIL, THE 1863 CLUB
Racing fans of all ages will have the opportunity to experience Saratoga's newest hospitality venue during this family-friendly day at the 1863 Club. Guests will enjoy a kid-friendly buffet and ice cream sundae station within the first-floor banquet space. Activities will include a magician, balloon animal maker and face painting. Tickets are $75 for adults and $45 for kids and are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX.

 • 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. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. The theme for this week's event is "Hocus Pocus," featuring magic spell lessons, a giant cauldron and a create-your-own witch hat station. Children are encouraged to wear costumes.

• LOW ROLLER CHALLENGE
Every Sunday will include the Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest, which allows aspiring handicappers the opportunity to experience the thrill of tournament play for $40, with $30 going towards live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar with early entrants receiving a special NYRA Bets promotional item.

Wednesday, July 31

• TASTE NY: FOOD DAY
Taste NY: Food Day welcomes fans to enjoy a lively on-track market of numerous food vendors featuring products made exclusively in New York State, including crackers, granola, preserves, gelato, olive oil and dessert cakes. The market will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion.

NOTE: Dark Days are Monday and Tuesday
Season admission passes may be purchased at NYRA.com/Saratoga and at Stewart’s Shops locations. A season pass provides admission to all 40 days of racing at Saratoga Race Course. The cost for a 2019 Grandstand season pass is $50. A Clubhouse season pass is $75. Season passes do not include reserved seating. For more information visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

In a shortened week dominated by torrential  downpours, heat and scorching humidity, it was ironically fitting that the track went dark the day after its beloved patron saint, the Queen of Saratoga, Marylou Whitney passed away.

Since time immemorial the Spa has been graced with Marylou's philanthropy and joie de vivre. From the backstretch to the ballroom, and from the farm to the finish line, she dignified every mission with her timeless style and class, and her love of horse racing, and the people behind the scenes that are its heart and soul.

Marylou will very sadly miss her long overdue induction into the Racing Hall of Fame next week, but her eternal legacy and spirit will certainly be very much present and alive at the ceremony.

Marylou won the Eclipse Award of Merit in the Pillars of the Turf category in 2011, and is the only woman to have ever owned and bred a Kentucky Oaks winner.

In 2003 her homebred Bird Town went off at 18--1 under new rider, Edgar Prado, but went on to win the Oaks in the record breaking time of 1:48.64 for the 1-1/8 mile race. This record still stands today.

One month later, Bird Town captured her second Grade 1 with a victory in the one mile Acorn at Belmont, cementing her Eclipse Award later that year as Top 3 Year Old Filly.

In 2004 another of Marylou's homebreds, Birdstone, gave her perhaps her greatest thrill in horseracing when he upset the Triple Crown bid of Smarty Jones in the Belmont. Marylou was typically gracious, however, as she actually apologized for thwarting history, saying that she'd told Edgar before the race to come in 2nd.

Birdstone came back to capture the unforgettable edition of the Travers that August, when a treacherous, blackened sky loomed over the darkened oval, and equally soaked and delighted the crowd, including a jubilant Marylou, and her loyal friend and soon-to-be Hall of Fame trainer, Nick Zito.

Wednesday's card was highlighted by the inaugural running of the Rick Violette Stakes for 2 year old New York-breds going 6 furlongs. How apropos it was that Heaven let loose and reminded us of Rick's rain soaked, triumphant Whitney in his twilight last year, when his wonderful New York-bred, Diversify, brought him such joy, only two months before his passing.

Although there was no prophetic rainbow following his race this year, there were plenty of wet hugs and tears of joy, as longtime friends and colleagues gathered in the Winner's Circle to pay tribute to a man who fought passionately for them and for New York racing.

As a rookie trainer Rudy Rodriguez occupied Barn 7 at Aqueduct next to Rick's Barn 6. The lessons Rudy learned watching the veteran trainer ply his trade have been very valuable during his successful career, and Rudy will never forget the impact Rick made not only on him, but on every life he touched on the backstretch.

For this reason, it was an emotional honor for Rudy to win the very first Rick Violette Stakes. His longshot, Sky of Hook, under a superb ride by Luis Saez, broke well and sat in third behind the favorites. When it looked like he had no hope at the eighth pole with Listentoyourheart ahead by two lengths, the chesnut colt roared over the sloppy going and nailed the frontrunner at the wire by a nose.

Sky of Hook paid $20.60 for the win, and for Luis it seemed most fitting that he should capture the first Rick Violette Stakes, as he was aboard Rick's last winner, Byself, when he won an AOC at Belmont last October.

Before Wednesday's inaugural running of the Rick Violette, an announcement was made that was surely sweet music to Angel Rick's ears. Executive Director Gordon Boyd and Bethesda Episcopal Church, in conjunction with B.E.S.T. (Backstrech Employees Service Team) and its Executive Director,  Paul Ruchames, announced the groundbreaking of Mercy House, a 6000 square foot facility that will serve veterans, domestic abuse victims, and backstretch workers.

The top floor of the four story Mercy House will be dedicated to and named after Rick Violette. It will house backstretch workers recovering from injuries,  substance abuse, or general hardship, and I cannot possibly imagine a finer way to honor Rick's tireless work and dedication to these very people.

Bravo to NYTHA (New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association) and President Joe Applebaum for their $25K donation to initiate this project in memory of their longtime President and fearless advocate, Rick Violette.

In Thursday's feature, The Stillwater, a $100K, 6 furlong stakes for 2 year old New York-bred fillies, Jeremiah Englehart and Al Gold's My Italian Rabbi survived a thrilling stretch battle with the 2-5 favorite, Fierce Lady, to win by a nose.

Red hot Luis Saez once again rode a longshot to victory, as My Italian Rabbi paid $19.80 for the win.

With each passing season, I realize more every day how much I cherish certain things in life, with family and old friends at the top of my list. One of these "things" represents both family and old friends, and is the arrival from Cincinnati of my good friend Steve Sylvester and the wonderful guys in his family for their annual Saratoga trip.

Although this year's pilgrimage started off on a rocky note when Syl's flight was cancelled out of Cincy early Thursday morning, and continued with the weather issues and cancellation of Saturday's card, nothing will ever rain on Steve Sylvester and his crew's parade.

As the proud son of Vito Sylvester, who was a member of General Patton's 3rd Army that rescued American forces at the Siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, Syl will never sweat the small stuff. His positive nature, kind spirit and generous soul will always reign, as his never say die attitude is contagious.

While the boys were arriving at the Holiday Inn before the first night tradition of dinner at Pennell's, the heat that would put a stamp on their long weekend was close at their heels.

Friday's card was nothing to write home about, as even the Grade 3 Lake George for 3 year old fillies going a mile on the turf was diminished to a 3 horse, Chad Brown only field, after four fillies scratched out.

When it's slim pickings at the Track, and you can't cut the air with a knife, it's time for an early arrival at Siro's, where coveted bar stools in the corner and cool air are greeted like a trip to the Winner's Circle!

Syl, a member of Ara Parseghian's undefeated 1973 National Championship team at Notre Dame that upset top-ranked Alabama 24-23 in the Sugar Bowl, was a longtime NFL veteran with the Oakland Raiders, where he collected three Super Bowl rings in 1976, 1980 and 1983.

Syl loves the corner seat that once was occupied by our beloved Pop Warner Football Coach, Spike O'Hara, and although local artist and icon Hud Armstrong has retired from bartending, and a beautiful young girl named Briea is now in his spot, somehow one could sense the passing of history, and believe that Spike and Syl are kindred spirits with their love of people, football and horseracing.

The night continued at Mama Mia's, another favorite spot for the guys, which for me is oddly reminiscent of Cincinnati's old Sorrento's, a place that is near and dear to my heart. It is here where I was introduced to Syl some 40 years ago by our dearly departed friend, Willie DeLuca, Sorrento's owner, and a veteran of the Saratoga trip.

While putting my then husband through Medical School, I worked days at the University of Cincinnati and nights at Sorrento's. Sweet Mama did all the cooking, and Willie was the "host with the most," ever the entertainer out front, while Papa Enrico ruled in stern silence out back.

Tragically, Papa died following a fire in their kitchen, and Willie passed away far too soon only a year or so later in 2006. I know that the Saratoga trip in 2005 was forever etched in Willie's memory as a beautiful highlight. Syl, with his huge heart, continues to look out for Willie's son Enrico who now lives in Toledo.

The brainchild behind this annual trip is Syl's cousin, John Sharbell, who wanted to honor his late Dad, who also passed away far too soon at 50, by establishing this tradition, now in its 17th year.

John's Dad "Junior" was married to one of Syl's Dad Vito's sisters, and along with Joe Raphael, who was also married to one of Vito's sisters, became best friends in business and life, through their shared love of horseracing, gambling and River Downs. This tightknit trio, with their unique blend of Italian and Lebanese blood, created a powerful family bond that is strong to this day.

"Junior" ran a very significant bookmaking operation in Cincinnati, and Vito and Joe, who also served in the military, were his loyal "runners" after returning from WWII. John, with his Hollywood good looks and easy smile, was his Dad's best student, and carries the family torch proudly today.

The lucky recipients of John's idea and expertise include his brother Joe Sharbell, who is an avid Xavier fan like me, Tommy Raphael, the original Joe's son, who is a semi-retired union electrician, and his son Timmy, who went to Ohio State and lives in Columbus.

The family tree continues with Mike, a longtime Cincinnati area school teacher, who married one of Tommy's sisters, and his son Vinny, who also graduated from Ohio State, with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Brothers Kevin and Johnny are also grandsons of Joe Raphael, as their Mom is one of Tommy's sisters, too. Johnny works at my old GE Credit Union, while Kevin works at the University of Cincinnati, and is about to become a proud papa for the first time,  with a baby girl on the way.

The elder statesman of the younger generation who is also a regular on this eagerly anticipated trip is the oldest Raphael cousin, JD. He is the son of Tommy's older brother Joe, who sadly passed away recently. JD is an HVAC salesman.

Rounding out the lineup is Adam Stowe, who interestingly, but probably coincidentally, has the same last name as my mother's ancestor, Harriett Beecher Stowe. Harriett actually lived in Cincinnati in the 1830's when her Dad Lyman Beecher was President of the Lane Theological Seminary. She met and then married her husband, Calvin Stowe, during her Dad's time in Cincinnati.

Adam's Grandfather was the longtime beloved Clubhouse Manager for the Cincinnati Reds, Bernie Stowe, whose son Mark married another Raphael sister, Adam's mother. Adam and cousin Kevin were Reds' batboys as kids, just as Grandpa Bernie was at the beginning of his legendary 67 year career with the organization. Bernie passed away in 2016.

Adam went to my beloved Xavier, like his Uncle Joe Sharbell, and works downtown for 5/3 Bank. He also moonlights as the owner of The Exchange, a bar close to 5/3 headquarters.

I would be remiss not to mention one of the other trip regulars, "Happy" Fein, who like me is not an actual member of the family, but as a good friend of Syl's is welcomed with open arms. Happy, who was the official scorekeeper for the Boston Celtics during their heyday from 1969-1979, drives up from his Ridgewood, New Jersey home every year.

As I said my goodbyes to Syl and the Cincy crew after a day at The Rivers Casino Sportsbook, necessitated by the cancellation of racing at the Spa, I was filled with gratitude for them, and also for my beloved hometown, as I realized that it is the allure of Saratoga that brings them back every year, and serves as our conduit.

I am honored to be included as just one of the guys during their epic adventure each year, and can never thank Syl enough for his generosity, or his crew for allowing this gal to interrupt their all male family affair, and for linking me to my 35 year history in Cincinnati.

So Long, Farewell! Same Time, Next Year

It’s hard, I know, looking out onto that Saratoga Race Course dirt and think anything but sunny things about it.

Fact is, the data is in, and dirt tracks must go.

Few sports have a tradition with deeper roots than horse racing. So if you change the racing surface — as several high-profile tracks once did — you fundamentally change the breed.

Or do you? All else being equal, if all surfaces are the same, then what does it matter that American Pharoah ran on dirt and his offspring will run on, say, Tapeta? Do you look back at Barry Sanders’ career and think more or less because he spent eight games a year playing on AstroTurf? And let’s not trivialize the damage that surface did to any number of football and baseball players.

Fact is, there’s an old guard in horse racing. (Isn’t there always an old guard?) And they like it a certain way. We race on dirt because we have stallions that make dirt runners who win dirt classics. Well, dirt is killing horses at a rate that far exceeds the synthetic surfaces. 

Santa Anita’s deadly year is the tinder lighting up this debate.

“We’ve had all of this catastrophic publicity, this onslaught against our industry, and yet nobody is willing to recognize one of the most obvious things that we can do by conversion to safer surfaces,” said Bill Casner in a Louisville Courier-Journal story. “The data is there. It’s not speculation ... (But) we’ve always been an industry of ostriches. We bury our heads. We think these problems will go away.”

Burying its head in the sand is an apt metaphor for the racing industry in general. The ones that make the kind of island-buying money are the ones who breed these horses. That’s always been the case. And the fear, one speculates, is that a brilliant dirt stallion won’t translate into a producer of synthetic winners. 

For years, synthetic tracks tended to favor closers, a more “grass-style” of running. 

According to the C-J story, equine fatalities on synthetic tracks added up to 1.2 deaths per 1,000 starts. Grass was 1.47 and good, ol’ fashioned, American dirt was 1.97, nearly double the amount of synthetic surfaces. 

Now, on its surface that doesn’t seem like much, but when you extrapolate that over 10 years, synthetic surfaces resulted in 2,031 fewer race-related deaths. That’s an equal number — if not way more — devastated owners and caretakers.

When the leading tracks — Keeneland and Santa Anita, namely — switched from dirt to synthetic, I’ll admit, playing and handicapping those tracks didn’t feel like real horse racing. But you know what? After enough repetitions, and watchiing enough replays, and giving the horses and the jockeys and the trainers enough practice, it’ll normalize. We as fans or horseplayers will get over it.

Yeah, the Blue Grass Stakes and the Santa Anita Derby and the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita when Raven’s Pass beat Curlin all felt cheapened and annoyingly un-handicap-able, but that’s because we’re messing around with all these different surfaces. Move to a universal “new dirt” and things will play out just like they have for decades over old dirt.

“We know Keeneland is run by a small group of powerful people that have stallions,” Casner told the C-J. “That was the reason Keeneland switched. They blamed it on the trainers. I talked to I don’t know how many trainers and I asked them if they’d been called in and interviewed. There wasn’t one. You couldn’t find one trainer — Charlie LoPresti, Nick Zito, Mark Casse — none of them were questioned on it. It was a spin they put on it so they could reconvert to dirt so that dirt stallions could have the advantage... In short, decisions in our industry never seem to be made in the best interest of the horse. They’re always made for individual agendas. And it’s catching up with us now. We’re fixing to lose our industry. And unless decisions are made that are in the best interest of the horse, we will lose it.”

Sad to think that the horse was always just a tool. Same goes for all professional athletes, but at least the labor relations in the major sports put a halt to the abject exploitation we saw before free agency and arbitration. But where’s the horse’s union? Sure, there are animal activist groups, but this issue is too layered to burn it all down, as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals would want.

So what’s the solution? If the breeders worry about what synthetic surfaces will do to their studs, then maybe the industry needs to kick in a subsidy until the breed course-corrects itself. Let the grandfathered dirt stallions age out. 

If we normalize every race surface with the same material, then what’s the hang up? The Derby will still be the best two minutes in sports. The average fan won’t know the difference. The seasoned one, sure, yes, she will pine for the days of dirt, but she’ll get over it.

This sport, in many ways is brilliant and fun. But in other ways it’s barbaric, brutal and backwards. Do we really need whips? Or can we teach our jockeys to be better riders in as they come up?

Get busy livin’, ‘cuz the horses are dyin’.

Brendan O’Meara  is a freelance writer and author of Six Weeks in Saratoga. He lives in Eugene, Oregon. (@BrendanOMeara)

This week begins the tradition of “Breakfast at Saratoga.” The breakfast will take place on The Porch of the Clubhouse at Saratoga Race Course. Breakfast will be held from 7 - 9:30 a.m. daily through Labor Day, September 2, with the exception of Saturday, August 24 -Travers Day. The morning breakfast buffet is $18.50 for adults and $9.25 for kids ages 12 and under. Admission is free during breakfast hours. Admission must be paid to re-enter the track once gates formally open for the day.  After breakfast guest will be able to explore behind the scenes with a bided backstretch tram tour, courtesy of the Capitol District Transportation Authority. Tours will run from 7:30 - 9 a.m. departing the Clubhouse entrance approximately every 15 minutes. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are 45 minutes. Tram tours are not offered on Travers Day. 

Friday, July 19

• LAKE GEORGE STAKES
Friday will feature the Grade 3, $150,000 Lake George Stakes one-mile race on the turf.

• TASTE NY: CRAFT BEER & CIDER
Taste NY: Craft Beer & Cider will allow guests the opportunity to sample numerous craft beers and ciders produced exclusively by New York State breweries and cideries. Live music will accompany the tasting each Friday from noon to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Guests will enjoy five samples for $5. Must be 21 years or older to participate.

Saturday, July 20

• COACHING CLUB AMERICAN OAKS
Saturday will be highlighted by the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, during which 3-year-old fillies will take center stage to compete for an upgraded purse of $500,000. The day’s card will also include the $200,000 Caress for 4-year-olds and up on the turf.

• MOON LANDING ANNIVERSARY 
Saratoga will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic first moon landing, which occurred on July 20, 1969. Fans are invited to enjoy a variety of lunar-themed activities from the Museum of Innovation and Science in Schenectady, including displays of meteorites and moon craters, as well as sun observations using a special telescope that allows for viewing of solar flares and spots. All activities will take place adjacent to Horse Sense across from the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• FASHION SATURDAYS
Designed to showcase the tradition of style in thoroughbred racing, the weekly event will feature women’s and men’s fashion apparel from local retailers, as well as a selection of home décor and jewelry items. The event will be held each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion.

• WOODFORD RESERVE BOURBON SATURDAYS 
Fans will be invited to enjoy specialty drinks and selections from Woodford Reserve at the Jim Dandy Bar each Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. 

• KETEL ONE SATURDAYS
Fans are invited to sample the new Ketel One Botanicals from 3 to 5 p.m. each Saturday outside the entrance to The Stretch. 

Sunday, July 21

• SHUVEE HANDICAP
Sunday’s card will feature the Grade 3, $200,000 Shuvee Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at nine furlongs.

• BRUNCH AND BUBBLY AT THE RAIL AT THE 1863 CLUB
Fans are invited to enjoy brunch, mimosas and more while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space at the all-new 1863 Club. Tickets are $75. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX.

 • 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. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. The theme for this week’s event is “Christmas in July,” which will include photos for children with Santa Claus.

• LOW ROLLER CHALLENGE
Every Sunday will include the Low Roller Challenge which allows aspiring handicappers the opportunity to experience the thrill of tournament play for $40, with $30 going towards live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Entrants will also have an opportunity to qualify for the Saratoga Challenge on Friday, August 9. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar with early entrants receiving a special NYRA Bets promo item.

Wednesday, July 24

• MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY 
Saratoga Race Course will pay tribute to active military members and veterans in appreciation of their sacrifice and service to our nation. Guests can stop by the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion to view exhibits and activities throughout the day and all veterans and active duty military will receive free Grandstand admission with military ID. Veterans from World War II to those currently serving will be recognized prior to several of the day’s races, including a special ceremony in the Winner’s Circle following the third race.

NOTE: Dark Days are Monday and Tuesday
Season admission passes may be purchased at NYRA.com/Saratoga and at Stewart’s Shops locations. A season pass provides admission to all 40 days of racing at Saratoga Race Course. The cost for a 2019 Grandstand season pass is $50. A Clubhouse season pass is $75. Season passes do not include reserved seating. For more information visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.