2013 Saratoga Meet - celebrating 150th Anniversary

[Glimmerglass]

No Fort Larned in the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes this weekend. That race will be aired on NBC Sports Channel Saturday. That leaves (for now) a field of six for the Woodward including Paynter and Mucho Macho Man among others.

Today was the final two steeplechase races for the meet. Worth mentioning is that in Race 2 the Walter M. Jeffords Jr. Stakes (fillies/mares) going 2 and 1/16 miles for a $65,000 purse the winner, The Grey Express (GB), toting 147-lbs did so without lasix. The brit import wasn’t bothered in the least and gave a really nice kick over the final fence for trainer Janet Elliot.

Video replay: Race 2, hurdles, Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords Stakes - August 29, 2013

The first race video is not yet available

[Glimmerglass]

In case anyone thinks that NYRA is rolling dough with the injections from the VLT at the Big A … nope. In fact Aqueduct could even be shut down to stem losses:

Finance Committee Chairman Stuart Subotnick said that because of years of losses, NYRA has $19 million to carry over in accumulated income tax exemptions. He said VLT revenues and such tax loss adjustments don’t prove NYRA can run “on its own.”

NYRA received $54.3 million in racino proceeds from Genting New York LLC’s Resorts World Casino at the Aqueduct track. Of that money, $27 million was earmarked for purses and stakes races, $15.6 million for capital projects and $11.7 million to help cover NYRA’s operating expenses.

NYRA Chief Financial Officer Susanne Stover said NYRA lost $1.7 million in its second quarter, compared with a $1.05 million loss in the same quarter of 2012. Operating expenses continue to rise, she said, because of labor costs and increased marketing and promotions.

Subotnick indicated that saving money by closing Aqueduct, which is used for racing in the cold months, is a possibility. He said funds earmarked for upgrades at the Queens track should be spent prudently in case assets are eventually transferred to Belmont Park or Saratoga Race Course should Aqueduct be shut down. He said no such decision has been made, but the future of Aqueduct is unclear.

[CVPeg]

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;7144345]
No Fort Larned in the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes this weekend. That race will be aired on NBC Sports Channel Saturday. That leaves (for now) a field of six for the Woodward including Paynter and Mucho Macho Man among others.

Today was the final two steeplechase races for the meet. Worth mentioning is that in Race 2 the Walter M. Jeffords Jr. Stakes (fillies/mares) going 2 and 1/16 miles for a $65,000 purse the winner, The Grey Express (GB), toting 147-lbs did so without lasix. The brit import wasn’t bothered in the least and gave a really nice kick over the final fence for trainer Janet Elliot.

Video replay: Race 2, hurdles, Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords Stakes - August 29, 2013

The first race video is not yet available[/QUOTE]

Too bad about Fort Larned. Looking at pictures of, and comments about, his works, he looked great…

Regarding the steeplechase, per The Saratoga Special’s FB page…

A script made in Hollywood. Hall of Fame trainer Janet Elliot, sidelined by a fractured vertebrae, treks back up to Saratoga via the Woodville Express a week after undergoing surgery to saddle underdog The Grey Express in the final steeplechase of the Spa season. The horse wins and the fairytale is complete. The whole story can be seen in photos at www.todmarks.photoshelter.com - tod marks

(Pictured: Janet Elliot pats The Grey Express after the Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords Stakes)
accompanied by lots of Todd Marks photos.
http://todmarks.photoshelter.com/gallery/August-29-Day-36/G0000wf42EeRaJtI/

[Glimmerglass]

CVPeg - thanks, that explains why she was in a neck brace as Jimmy Dugan on TVG wasn’t explaining nor did Zoe on HRTV. I’m glad she got a win at Spa as its a nice feather in the cap, even for a Hall of Fame trainer like her.

[Glimmerglass]

The Saratoga meet almost over and sadly I’m leaving on a trip overseas so I’ll miss Friday through the close. Hopefully my DVD will be able to store the last big races …

Friday: Riskaverse Stakes;
Saturday: Forgo Stakes, Grade 1 Woodward;
Sunday: Grade 3 Saranac, Grade 1 Spinaway;
Monday (closing day) Grade 3 Glens Falls, Grade 1 Hopeful

Today (Thur) when Rosie Napravnik was nipped aboard 4-5 favorite Brandys Secret in the 11th race today I wasn’t paying attention to the odds of the winner; try 34-1 long shot Hunter Forward.

That resulted, in the vernacular of TVG hosts, “big balloons” for the Pick 6. You have to be amazed in the size of the return for a $2 wager picking the winner of six consecutive races at a single track - theoretically a fairly straight forward wager. In this case even with largely favorites winning the payoff for each of two tickets picking the sequence correct: $424,936

Not bad

[CVPeg]

Watching from home tomorrow. Going Monday! :yes: Always loved watching The Hopeful, and the crowds are reasonable as well, as everyone is packing up.

Even though the meet is longer, and there is “more of” a lot of things, the summer is never long enough, and end of Saratoga truly means it. :sigh:

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=CVPeg;7145159]
Even though the meet is longer, and there is “more of” a lot of things, the summer is never long enough, and end of Saratoga truly means it. :sigh:[/QUOTE]

I’m sure you watched this already off the Paulick site but I think it’s a nice video giving anyone a glimpse into what the Saratoga track feels like:

Video: ‘Easy to Love This Place’: A Video Postcard From Saratoga (4M 44sec)

The closing day of Spa tends to be rather empty which always makes for an easy decision to attend, if the weather cooperates

[CVPeg]

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;7145272]
I’m sure you watched this already off the Paulick site but I think it’s a nice video giving anyone a glimpse into what the Saratoga track feels like:

Video: ‘Easy to Love This Place’: A Video Postcard From Saratoga (4M 44sec)

The closing day of Spa tends to be rather empty which always makes for an easy decision to attend, if the weather cooperates ;)[/QUOTE]

Hadn’t caught it, GG, thanks! (I’ve been a bit put off by Paulick for sometime- only go there if no news anywhere else! )

Always regret not having gone more/done things differently each year. Haven’t had an owners card now for a couple of years, and miss being able to observe from a quieter spot on the crazy days, let alone the stuff you see in the backstretch.

And you do take it for granted if it’s nearby… Truly best when living nearby! :yes:

[Madeline]

After watching the jump races yesterday, I wondered if I had strayed into a time warp. First race to Jonathan Sheppard, second to Janet Elliot. Was this 1983 or 2013? Great job , conditioners now/formerly from Unionville.
When these two horses retire from racing they’l make a pretty flashy pair…

[keepthelegend]

Sad day today with Saginaw breaking down and being euthanized. What a great record he had.

[saratoga]

[QUOTE=keepthelegend;7146640]
Sad day today with Saginaw breaking down and being euthanized. What a great record he had.[/QUOTE]

So sad when I read this in the paper today. A terrible year…I never remember this many fatalities at Saratoga. I am going today and tomorrow…praying everyone comes home safe.

[CVPeg]

[QUOTE=saratoga;7147449]
So sad when I read this in the paper today. A terrible year…I never remember this many fatalities at Saratoga. I am going today and tomorrow…praying everyone comes home safe.[/QUOTE]

Don’t know what’s been happening of late! Have they changed the groundskeeping routine? Was it the result of the heavy rains in June doing something to the underlayment? Although there have been breakdowns on both turf and the dirt course.

Probably just coincidental, considering the number of races/horses. But frankly, with all the multiple factors previously discussed, maybe more of a surprise that everyone was doing so well at the beginning.

Going on Monday, and hoping the same. Love The Hopeful. May all have a safe journey to the finish, and then home.

[saratoga]

Actually, I read that there were 4 fatalities at the meet last year (assuming that is just during the races) so I guess it isn’t that much worse…just seems like it.
I’ve enjoyed the Woodward since its been here…I
was there when Rachel Alexandra won and that was my most favorite day at the track ever. Hope today is good and I am enjoying the cool weather…a nice break from AZ!

[danceronice]

Got a couple wagers in the Woodward…with Fort Larned out Paynter might have the pace all his way but then there’s Successful Dan and Mucho Macho Man (used almost everyone in various exotics…) Should be an exciting race.

My lord, it’s wet today.

[skydy]

Wow, I hope this isn’t found to be true. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80398/jockey-saez-accused-of-buzzer-use-in-travers

[Drvmb1ggl3]

I don’t usually get excited about, or even pay much attention to, 2yo races… but did anyone see Honor Code in the 3rd race (MSW) at Toga today?? :eek::eek::eek:

That’s a whole lot of horse, and look at the pedigree :eek::eek: … http://www.pedigreequery.com/honor+code3

[Toadie_s_mom]

[QUOTE=skydy;7148362]
Wow, I hope this isn’t found to be true. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/80398/jockey-saez-accused-of-buzzer-use-in-travers[/QUOTE]

You should definitely “consider the source” on this accusation.

[danceronice]

Yeah, somehow I doubt they’re going to hold that one up…

[skydy]

[QUOTE=Toadie’s mom;7149709]
You should definitely “consider the source” on this accusation.[/QUOTE]

I’ve read that. I don’t see how the accusation could be proven at this late date. Not cool to accuse someone this far after the fact, when you can’t prove it.

[CVPeg]

Watched the replay of The Travers. Seemed to me that WTC ramped it up as he glanced to the right and saw Palace Malice coming on. Plus he has quite a stride, and didn’t need to do much to get it going when needed. Also, during the Woodward coverage, Jerry Bailey played close-ups of Saez switching the stick, with each hand being wide open at times, and nothing “hidden”. :rolleyes:

That was some Woodward! Loved Alpha’s drive to the finish, but also love Flat Out.

Really interesting to watch some horses’ effortless movement across the slop.