Well, we’ve reached that time of the year……the annual Saratoga Race Course press conference. It will be the 13th that I will be attending as the horse racing writer for the Amsterdam Recorder. It will be the 142nd race meet at this historic track and it will have the longest calendared racing days ever. We top out at the 40 day race meet adding 4 extra days this year to the schedule. Like the hit disco song from 35 years ago said; “More, More, More…..how do you like it?” If your asking this veteran handicapper the question, the answer is NO.
Now I know it is Saratoga , the premier thoroughbred meet in the world. It is also located less than an hour from my driveway on the Sand Flats. It is the place were all the best throughout the county come to race in July and August. The is problem; with the horse population down and the “million dollar” Monmouth meet of this summer, 40 days with six days of racing a week will not be exciting as it once was for this player of the ponies.
There was a day; long ago I remember when this race meet meant everything to me. It was the “August place to be” when the meet was less than a month. Where there was a top quality stake race each day during that 24 race meet. It was a time where there was the usual “daily” nine race card and no more. Those 24 days had top quality thoroughbred racing from the NYRA circuit with claiming races that were carded no less than 25k. We didn’t have a constant barrage of turf sprints and claiming races with “winter” type horses. It was a simpler time when racing took center stage and all the frills and other hype was not involved. That time is gone and the Saratoga race meet means more to NYRA’s future more now than ever.
We started on July 23rd, back to an opening day on a Friday which is alright by me. The last 15 years though, we seen an influx of staple Belmont Park stakes races move up the Northway to the Spa. First, with the Sword Dancer and then the Woodward Stakes and this year; The Coaching Club American Oaks for the three year old fillies and it’s because the people are not coming out for these races down south. With the longer meet, it means also more New York overnight stake races. These which are named after every locality surrounding the Saratoga Springs area usually pit the same group of horses against each at least three times during the former 36 day meet. As a public handicapper that only usually makes selections for only one full race meet, it becomes a little dishearten seeing the same group of runners facing each other time after time. After handicapping the Saratoga race meet since 1988 and seeing this tremendous drop off in higher quality races, it really makes some days worth sitting out when it comes to wagering.
The even bigger question will be what effect this summer’s Monmouth meet will have on the stake horses choosing to come here. While we will have a full slate of state breds, it will be interesting how many high profile outfits that are currently racing at Monmouth will decide to come here during the 40 days. One good thing is the most of the Kentucky based horsemen will come to the Spa for the summer since Ellis Park will be the only track running there. Another good thing is that Saratoga is also a showcase for the young two year old runners and this always makes good betting events. But, the 40 days may seem like an eternity right after the Travers Stakes will be run, when most of the better horse will be shipping else where. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Saratoga for its history of great racing and highlighting future stars. But, it may seem like “ New York North” when the first 15 claimer is run with horses that last raced for half that price (7,500). I’m just saying!
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