This Saturday (August 7th) at Saratoga Race Course is the 93rd running of the Whitney Stakes. This years contest will feature a surrogate Queen of Saratoga.

For decades, that nickname was bestowed upon Marylou Whitney, the socialite, philanthropist and Thoroughbred breeder/owner who graced Saratoga Race Course, especially on the race day that bears her family name.

Marylou died at the age of 93 in 2019, two weeks before she was inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame.

Two years later, the field for the $1 million Whitney, one of the hallmark races of every Saratoga meet, will include a champion filly who knows Saratoga well, having won the Grade I Alabama as a 3-year-old last year.

SWISS SKYDIVER will run against male horses for the third time (2-0) in her career in the Whitney.

Several top fillies or mares have previously Won the race as well, including GALLORETTE, LADY’S SECRET, and PERSONAL ENSIGN.

The Whitney is a staple of summer racing at Saratoga. First run in 1928, the race was run as a handicap through 2013 and has been contested at the 1 1/8-mile (9 furlongs) distance since 1940.

The race is for older horses, three-year-olds and up, is held annually in late July or early August and has has attracted many of Thoroughbred racing’s biggest stars over the years.

Top Thoroughbreds to have Won the race include WAR ADMIRAL, KELSO, ALYDAR, EASY GOER, VICTORY GALLOP, MEDAGLIA D’ORO, LAWYER RON, and HONOR CODE.

On Friday the Daily Racing Blog will take a look at the field for this year’s Million Dollar Whitney Stakes. So be sure to stop back.