Saratoga Race Course
Great late summer thoroughbred racing in Upstate New York By Carl Danbury
Photo courtesy of Hulton Archive | Morgan Collection
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friend of mine makes two trips to Saratoga every summer, and each trip lasts for three to four days. Sometimes his wife or a friend accompanies him, and sometimes he goes alone. His favorite time of the day is when the sun peaks over the horizon or the fog lifts in time to see a stunning thoroughbred completing a morning workout on the main track or the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course. Yes, Chris Tomaso is a devoted horseplayer, but he’s not getting up with the roosters to watch just any horse work out. He arises early at Saratoga because he knows he is likely watching a champion or former champion run. That typically isn’t going to happen too often at Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Mass. or Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Ill. Once he returns to his overpriced hotel, he lounges by the pool armed with a cup of coffee, and a copy of the Daily Racing Form or Post Parade Racing program. His cell phone is muted, and his thriving mortgage business seems light years away. “If someone asked me if I want to spend the entire winter in Hawaii or August in Saratoga — I’d probably get divorced as a result but I’m going north of Albany,” Tomaso said. And Tomaso isn’t alone in his zeal. While many other tracks suffer from declining attendance and plummeting average on-track daily wagering, Saratoga has thrived. The 350-acre facility located in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. will host 36 days of live thoroughbred racing from July 25 to Sept. 3 this year. Home to the 138th running of the Travers Stakes (Aug. 25), horse racing has been a part of this landscape since 1863. Visitors have been drawn to the area for the mineral springs in both Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs for years, and the healing waters beck-
Photo courtesy of Time & Life Pictures | Eileen Darby
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oned members of fashionable society Key Races During The Saratoga Meet each summer. These days, the nearby villages swell to capacity in August — July 25 The Schuylerville 2-year-old Fillies primarily for horse racing, fine dining, July 26 The Sanford 2-year-olds social gatherings, and rubbing elbows July 28 The Diana 3-year-olds & up Fillies & Mares with celebrated horsemen and horsing The Whitney Handicap 3-year-olds & up celebrities. July 29 The Jim Dandy 3-year-olds Hotel rooms during this time are August 8 The A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Steeplechase) scarce. Studies project 83 percent August 25 The Travers 3-year-olds capacity during the peak weekends. The Bernard Baruch Handicap 3-year-olds & up On Travers weekend, that figure is August 31 The With Anticipation 2-year-olds even closer to 100 percent. The same Sept. 1 The Forego Handicap 3-year-olds & up room you’ll pay $250 per night for The Woodward 3-year-olds & up in August, is a fraction of the cost in Sept. 2 The Spinaway 2-year-olds Fillies November or April, but of course there Sept. 3 The Hopeful 2-year-olds isn’t much reason to be in Saratoga Springs during those months. However, during the 36 days of live racing (the track is closed Tuesdays), the quality of the horses and fields, the notoriety of horsemen and jockeys, and the marvelous atmosphere on the grounds is akin to what you’ll find at Keeneland. Entering the gates at Saratoga is similar to what you may have enjoyed as a child at a county fair. The paddock and surrounding picnic areas seem perfect for a red checkerboard cloth covering the ground or picnic table, a two-handled wood picnic basket, and a little fried chicken, potato salad, and a cold beer or two. A full canopy of trees provides a welcome respite from the summer heat and humidity, as needed, but the upstate New York climate seems not oppressive at all (although it can be) in such a setting. Combining that bucolic feel with fabulous thoroughbred racing and upscale off-track shops and restaurants in the historic Victorian town is why we love Saratoga.
6 furlongs 6 furlongs 1 1/8 miles (Turf) 1 1/8 miles 1 1/8 miles 2 1/16 miles (Turf) 1 1/4 miles 1 1/8 miles (Turf) 1 1/16 miles (Turf) 7 furlongs 1 1/8 miles 7 furlongs 7 furlongs
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Photo courtesy of Time & Life Pictures | Eileen Darby
etting all that aside, focusing squarely on the horses and horsemen, Saratoga attracts the best from around the country, including regulars from the Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana, and California circuits. Everyday purses swell for the connections of top horses. Three years ago the average purse per race was nearly $68,000. “When it comes to racing it’s the cream of the crop,” Tomaso said. “The lowest level they run is a $20,000 claiming race and that happens maybe once or twice the whole meet. A Monday card at Saratoga is like a feature race day at most tracks around the country.” And mid-summer is when some well-bred two-year-olds hit the track, and according to Tomaso, that’s a huge draw. “It’s the best two-year-olds meet. You’ll have a chance to see a potential Breeder’s Cup participant, or even a future Kentucky Derby winner win their first race at Saratoga. Horses that are regally bred going postward for the first time is fun to watch. It also gives you the opportunity to say ‘I was there when…’” Tomaso added. “If you want to see the best thoroughbreds in the world race, any day at Saratoga will scratch that itch,” Tomaso stated. Unsold seat tickets and “Sun Seat” tickets go on sale each race day at 8 a.m. at the Reserved Seat Booth located at Gate A (Union Avenue) and are available the night before from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs. Some tickets also might be available at 7 a.m. on Travers Day. If reserved seating is sold out, seats may be available each day on a first-come, first-served basis in some areas. The Grandstand, Clubhouse, and trackside apron offer free benches, and there are
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tables in the backyard picnic area. Children under age 12 are admitted free with parent or guardian. A long-time tradition exists that if a customer places a newspaper or article of clothing on a bench or picnic table, it’s acknowledged that the seat is taken. Elegant attire is a tradition at Saratoga Race Course and is appreciated. Sunset racing, which begins at 3 p.m., was very popular with racing fans last summer and is offered twice during the meet this year (July 27 and August 31). Our first trip to Saratoga was Labor Day Weekend last year. As some of you know, we have been to countless racetracks throughout North America and Saratoga was always on our list of must-attend sporting venues. The lasting impression that Saratoga made was similar to Wrigley Field, as it is quaint, outdated but harkens you back to simpler, perhaps easier times. A walk around the village of Saratoga Springs or a walk around the paddock at the track seems to displace unwanted stress. Sighs are replaced by satisfying breaths and even though your heart might skip a beat when your horse runs fourth or you receive your hotel bill, there is simply no better place for horse racing and some summertime relaxation than Saratoga. SU
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Saratoga Performing Arts Center www.spac.org Opened in 1966, SPAC is the summer home for the Philadelphia Orchestra, New York City Ballet, the Lake George Opera and top performers of jazz, pop, and rock. This summer’s calendar includes: Kenny Chesney (July 25), The Moody Blues (July 28), The Allman Brothers Band (August 5), Itzhak Perlman (August 9), Incubus (August 13), Dave Matthews Band (August 14), and Toby Keith (August 25). Saratoga National Golf Club www.golfsaratoga.com A well-maintained layout that golfers of all abilities will enjoy, but like everything else during the race meeting, greens fees are at a premium from July 16 through Sept. 3. Dine www.dinesaratoga.com Tomaso’s favorite featuring “global comfort food” and an excellent atmosphere. Forno Bistro www.fornobistro.com Casual, yet upscale dining on Broadway. Pasta dishes are superb. The Publik House The name isn’t catchy, but the pizza, calzones, sandwiches, and pastas certainly are. We went back for a second visit. Located at 2727 Route 9 in nearby Malta. Saratoga Race Course www.nyra.com/saratoga General information available at www.saratoga.org or www.saratoga.com
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