It was a long, long time ago, but I remember it like it was (almost) yesterday. I was 15-16 and I was at the Saratoga Race Course with my Uncle Louie. And while I had been to this fabled course as a wee lad on a few occasions, I had never been given a race program. My Uncle Louie felt it was time to ramp up my … Continue reading Remember Your First Time ?
Monday the Daily Racing Blog wrote about the basics of the Breeders’ Cup Championships, and it’s history. We mentioned how the end-of-year event rotates each season to different iconic racing venues. This year being Keeneland. So, in what has become an annual question since its inception- why hasn’t the oldest race course in America ever hosted this extravaganza? That’s right, Saratoga has never been home to the Breeders’ Cup. The … Continue reading Why No Breeders Cup At Saratoga?
There’s a bit of a twist in the New York racing schedule this fall. NYRA and crew always return downstate following the end of the Saratoga meet on Labor Day. But this year, instead of the usual fall meet at Belmont Park, racing will move to Aqueduct for a 28-day fall meet which will be referred to as Belmont at the Big A. A construction project … Continue reading Belmont At The Big A
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced that the all-sources wagering handle during the 2022 summer meet at Saratoga surged to a record $878,211,963. That WOW number eclipsed the previous record of $815,508,063, established last year, by 7.7 percent. The record setting 40-day meet generated average daily handle of $21,955,299, which is also the highest such figure in the history of Saratoga. On-track handle, which … Continue reading Toga 22′ By The Numbers
This is the time of year (in horse racing) when, as you reach a certain age, you realize just how difficult it is to keep time from slipping past us. Old friends reemerge while others disappear or pass away. Acquaintances become friends as mutual admiration takes hold. Saratoga has (seemingly), mastered at least the illusion that time, while still slipping away can do so at … Continue reading The Spa Is Over
Legendary may be a word that is over-used in the world of sports these days and horse racing is no exception. But when speaking about former track announcer Tom Durkin– legendary might very well be an understatement. On a recent rendition of Fox Sports Network Cart Talk with Jonathon Kinchen, we were all reminded just how special Mr. Durkin was to racing and is to … Continue reading The Legendary Tom Durkin
The Daily Racing Blog has, for the most part, felt that Labor Day is synonymous with the end of the Saratoga Summer. Monday is Labor Day– the last day, the last race, the last push as the horses drive down the home stretch. The last flash of the tote board, and knowing that MTP now stands for Months To Post. A lump is present in … Continue reading Enjoy The Final Days Of Saratoga
Alas, the summer at Saratoga is coming to an end. But we shan’t bid adieu before the famous Jockey Club Gold Cup kicks off the final weekend at The Spa. The road to the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic will make one final stop at Saratoga Race Course this Saturday, September 3rd, as some of the best male dirt horses in training will square off in the $1.25 … Continue reading Jockey Club Gold Cup
Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes drew a field of eight 3-year-olds that will face the 1 1/4-mile distance at Saratoga. Here’s a look at the field: 1. CYBERKNIFE [ML 7-2] Trainer: Brad Cox. Jockey: Florent Geroux. Has Won four out of his last five races with the only loss coming in the Kentucky Derby (G1) when he beat only two horses to the wire. Among his … Continue reading Who Wins The Travers?
Saratoga Race Course has a vivid history in all things horse racing. But perhaps The Spa is most well-known for this: it’s the racetrack where favorites lose and longshots score the biggest Victories of their lives. MAN O’ WAR and SECRETARIAT lost at Saratoga. A horse named JIM DANDY Won the 1930 Travers Stakes over that year’s Triple Crown Winner GALLANT FOX at amazing odds of 100-1. … Continue reading Travers Upsets
