Saratoga 141st meet concludes. That's all folks!

[Glimmerglass]

While Sunday July 26th is the traditional open house for Spa, the formal start will be Wed July 29th in the 141st season of Saratoga.

That opening day’s stakes race being the Grade 3 $100,000 Schuylerville for 2-yr old fillies at 6-F and goes through September 7 with the Grade 3 $100,000 Glens Halls Handicap for fillies/mares 3-and-up at 1 3/8 mi on turf.

This year new on the grounds will be the Curlin Cafe (not sure why the name choice) which is really a private 24-person a/c’d area with butler service, et al. Cost? $200 per person, per day. Hey NYRA has to pay for this whole show somehow

No bobblehead give-aways this year. Just a long t-shirt (Aug 23) and cap (Sep 6)

The biggest day being Aug 29 with the 140th running of the [Shadwell] Travers Stakes (the 3rd oldest in North America) which if plans come into place with Mine The Bird, Summer Bird and Rachel Alexandra all meeting up then attendance numbers could be shattered. The ‘undercard’ that day being the NetJets Kings Bishop (G1), Ballerina (G1), Ballston Spa Handicap (G2), and Victory Ride (G3) …

No word if the turned away Moose will be returning from the Adirondacks - word had it she was looking to buy tix to the Travers to sell on craigslist

A nice resource: NYRA’s 2009 Saratoga brochure (pdf)

[JstMyLuck3]

What a nice little write up for Saratoga! I’m psyched myself because I just moved into an apartment right next to Fasig Tipton about 2 blocks from the track!! Can’t wait

[Glimmerglass]

With all due respect this has to be one of the most bizarre bits of feedback from a consultant I’ve seen. Is this person for real?

Troy Record July 9, 2009 "Consultant: ‘Saratoga Track doesn’t do history well’

Paul Roberts of London-based Turnberry Consulting outlined general track needs …

“There are owners worldwide who do not come to Saratoga because it doesn’t have the facilities they’re used to,” he said. “A lot of owners self-insure their horses. They don’t like putting horses in wooden barns.”

I will however concur on the aesthetic criticism on the consumer side as people may love Spa for what it is but it downright fails next to a Keeneland in areas such as being efficient, tidy, clean, and welcoming.

He criticized the grandstand’s rooftop press box, and interior infrastructure such as exposed pipes, ducts and electrical apparatus.

“There hasn’t been sufficient attention paid to the original integrity of the building,” he said.

[Barnfairy]

I’m going! I’m going! (In time for the Sword Dancer.)

'So excited. 'Never been before.

[Glimmerglass]

You’ll enjoy it Barnfairy! Just be prepared for it to be somewhat thick with baba booey new-yawker types

Video: Saratoga advertisement

[Linny]

@Barnfairy;4226294

I’m going! I’m going! (In time for the Sword Dancer.)

'So excited. 'Never been before.

Let me know when you’ll be coming. I should be around that weekend.

[Glimmerglass]

Mine That Bird’s connections reaffirmed their plans for the Travers Stakes. They also nixed the “invite” from Monmouth to challenge Summer Bird and Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell:

“They have been after me for a while,” Woolley said from Churchill Downs Wednesday afternoon. “I guess we would have a slight interest but, probably not. I would say no. We are not going to go to Monmouth Park.”

“It would take a lot more money than they are offering,” said Woolley, who declined to say what the offer was. “But it’s not about the money. I am doing what I think is right for the horse.”

Monmouth officials will continue to try and lure Woolley to the Haskell with bonus money for the winner of an American Classic race. I don’t think Woolley’s “no” is the last word.

Even if MTB runs in the Haskell or WV Derby he’ll be at the Travers. Then again if he looses badly in his next effort it will have a lot of the luster taken off …

[Glimmerglass]

For the second year Saratoga will boosting their purses as the field sizes exceed a defined number which just makes sense: NYRA 7-17-09

Any dirt race that leaves the paddock with more than eight betting interests will receive the following purse increases:

Maiden, Maiden Claiming and Claiming Races: 10 percent
Allowance Races and Overnight Stakes: 15 percent

For dirt races at nine furlongs (1-1/8 miles) and longer, NYRA will provide incremental increases for every betting interest above six that leaves the paddock:

Maiden Races: $4,000/horse above six
Allowance Races: $6,000/horse above six
Money Allowance Races and Overnight Stakes: $8,000/horse above six

For turf races longer than nine furlongs (1-1/8 miles), NYRA will provide incremental increases for every betting interest above eight that leaves the paddock:

Maiden Races: $4,000/horse above eight
Allowance Races: $6,000/horse above eight
Money Allowance Races and Overnight Stakes: $8,000/horse above eight

If a carded turf race is taken off the grass and leaves the paddock with eight or more betting interests, NYRA will offer a 20 percent increase in the total purse.

[Glimmerglass]

This Sunday 7-26-09 is the traditional open-house which essentially is the goodwill invitation by NYRA to come on out and see some non-wagering steeplechase jumping, check out the facilities, and be entertained with a host of activities for all ages.

Admission and parking are free at the open house. The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The 4 steeplechase runs:

1st Ninepines Maiden Hurdle (Post time 1:30 EST): 2 1/16 Miles for $25,000

2nd Roberts Communications Network Maiden Claimer (Post time 2:05 EST): 2 1/16 Miles for $15,000

3rd NBC Universal Sports Maiden Hurdle (Post time 2:40 EST): 2 1/16 Miles for $25,000

4th Sport of Kings Claiming Hurdle^ (Post time 3:15 EST): 2 1/16 Miles for $25,000
^For the Sport of Kings, all assigned 145-lbs with the minimum claiming price of $15,000; for each additional $1,000, 1 lb. extra.

And then one flat run for chasers …

5th Thorofan Training Flat Race* (Post time 3:50 EST): 1 1/2 Miles; all assigned 150-lbs
*The result of this race does not count toward a horse’s official record.

[Glimmerglass]

The actual opening day - Wednesday July 29th - looks to be bursting at the seams with entries: NTRA 7-24-09

A total of 134 horses were carded for Wednesday’s 10-race opening-day program, including a strong field of 13 juvenile fillies for the Grade 3, $100,000 Schuylerville Stakes going six furlongs. Six of the 10 races overfilled, and the total in purses for opening day is $557,700.

Plus there is an overnight stakes race that features a few names of recent interest:

The card includes the $80,500 James Marvin Stakes, an overnight event at seven furlongs that more resembles a Grade 2 stakes with the likes of Pyro, Honour Devil, Silver Edition, Riley Tucker, and Finallymadeit in the field.

[Linny]

I’m leaving for Saratoga in 5 minutes. Trackfacts Live then Open House for a while, then back home to clean the house…

[Glimmerglass]

For opening day, in case anyone thinks Mr/Mrs. Jerry Moss have sent out an unknown sister to Zenyatta I can dispell that now: Synchronicity (an Also Eligible) in race 2 ($45k Maiden Special Weight at 1 time on the inner turf) is a New York bred owned by Gulf Coast Farms LLC.

Flashback for those too young for Sting sporting the Billy Idol haircut on the Jerry Moss A&M release of Synchronicity.

[DLee]

I am hoping to get up there and visit my family as well, but if I don’t, I still have a couple of paintings in Beresford Gallery for the first time ever. :yes:

[colliemom]

Hubby and I are going this coming Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Haven’t been there in 30 years, I’m really excited! We got lucky because our journalist friend who covers racing is headed down for the Haskell, so we will have his apartment and box seats!!

If we were to pick one of those days to NOT go to the races (thinking of possibly taking a day trip for something else in the area) which would be the one to miss?

Any other words of wisdom?

Thanks!

[Linny]

@DLee;4264432

I am hoping to get up there and visit my family as well, but if I don’t, I still have a couple of paintings in Beresford Gallery for the first time ever. :yes:

That’s exciting. It’s a lovely gallery. Might I ask which paintings they are, I’ll certainly look for them.

Colliemom, I’ll be there all weekend, I hope. I may be dragging an exhausted child though!

[mroades]

That filly I want…is running in the 4th I think on thursday. If anyone is there, tell me how she does, as I will be at a show and not able to watch tv.
Her name is Stayawaystella…trained by Mark Hennig…its a claimer…

[foundationmare]

three days in Saratoga

Colliemom,

You REALLY want to do something ELSE besides the track while you’re in Saratoga??? OMG, that’s blasphemy!

Just kidding! (Well, not really…) I’ve spent two years away and want to be there so badly I can taste it! There’s something about that place that just grabs me and won’t let me go, although I don’t struggle much!

I envy your three days there and, if I were you, I’d wander the grounds in the morning, go to the races in the afternoon and visit every nook and cranny of the frontside. I’ve always camped out near the paddock and made “trips” to various vantage points in the grandstand, all of which are unique and fascinating. It’s a great place for people watching which, if it were a career, I would command top salary!

I’ve been fortunate to experience the Spa from a VIP POV and loved it as a run-of-the-mill plebe as well. There is no wrong way to “do” Saratoga. I love everything about it.

[wylde_sage]

Ah Saratoga!

I lived in upstate NY for the first portion of my life. I adore Saratoga. Its beautiful. I had a summer job while in college Many moons ago working at
the the nearby amusement park and actually drove THE Mrs. Whitney in
the Cinderella pumpkin coach in the Travers Day parade. It was a hoot!!
The ponies I drove were beasts however…:lol:

[DLee]

[QUOTE=Linny;4265968]
That’s exciting. It’s a lovely gallery. Might I ask which paintings they are, I’ll certainly look for them.

Colliemom, I’ll be there all weekend, I hope. I may be dragging an exhausted child though![/QUOTE]

Thanks! Please find them and rave on them for me, lol. There is a closeup of a horse’s eye with an odd blinker (sunshade) and two foals kind of playing bitey face.

It is such a very nice gallery with some great work. I hope I make it up there!

[Glimmerglass]

My wife and I will be there Thursday and likely Friday or Saturday.

Handicapping angle: Mott on his birthday
DRF July 27, 2009

If you see Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott at the track on opening day, wish him a happy 56th birthday. Then go to the window and bet his horses.

Eight times since 1994, Mott has won a race here on his birthday, including 2006 and 2007. Last year, July 29 was a dark day.

On Wednesday, Mott has four horses entered on the card, though two need to draw in from the also-eligible list in order to run. Auteur, who is entered in the first, and Evolutionist, entered in the fourth, each need one scratch to get into the field. But both are live if they do get in.

“They’re both coming off very good races, they’re the right kind of horses to have,” Mott said. “Certainly, they’re horses in with a chance.”

Mott also has a pair of 2-year-olds entered on the card. In the fifth, for New York-breds, Mott sends out Come From Behind, who finished fourth in his debut.

“He ran well enough,” Mott said. “You got to believe he’s got some kind of a chance.”

In the seventh, Mott sends out the first-time starter Antenna, a half-brother to six winners. He is coupled with Double Partner, a colt trained by Todd Pletcher whose mother is a half-sister to Serena’s Song.

Anyone else note that Steve Asmussen seems to have a lot of “K” lettered horses running these first few days? In Wednesday’s Grade 3 Schuylerville he sends out Kinsolving, who has lost two stakes after winning her debut at Keeneland. On Thursday, he’ll start the second-time starter Kinsey. And on Saturday he’ll will send out Dwyer Stakes winner Kensei in this year’s Jim Dandy.