The anticipation for SARATOGA is at a fever pitch!

Anybody who knows me or is a friend of mine on Facebook, can tell that I'm very excited for the upcoming Saratoga race meet. I've been counting down the past month with videos from Saratoga on my home page and now, we're less than one week away. This year marks the 25th year of myself following the sport of thoroughbred racing. I've been handicapping the race meet since 1988 and here in the Recorder since 1998. Last year was my best year with winners (119) and overall one of my most enjoyable meets. I also got my first "winners circle" photo when, Ausable Chasm broke her maiden the day after the Travers Stakes. Coming off such an fun race meet, it will be tough to top the success. But, my attitude toward Saratoga 2011 is a good one and it's a time in my life where I'm striding for my very best and out to prove a point. Hopefully, the next 40 days my work will be proven out.

Two events leading up to next Saturday are on tap, tomorrow is the 31st annual Saratoga open house. A Saratoga tradition, it offers a full day of attractions, games and activities for ALL ages. Presented by Hannaford Supermarkets, a major partner with Saratoga racecourse this season, it will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission and parking are free. The popular Jockey Autograph Book will be available for the first time this season with a voluntary contribution to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The autograph books will be distributed on track by Hannaford Supermarkets. The 20-page book features a full page for the top 12 leading jockeys by the number of wins at Saratoga in 2010, along with photos and fun facts for each. Also, The National Steeplechase Association will get a jump on the racing season by presenting three hurdle races and one on the main turf. No pari-mutuel wagering is available on these races which get underway every 45 minutes beginning at 1:30 p.m. The backyard will play host to a variety of activities including pony rides, inflatables, face painting, caricatures and a petting zoo. For those looking forward to the upcoming meet, Saratoga 2011 season passes will be available for purchase at the Grandstand Customer Service Center. The passes, $75 for clubhouse admission and $35 for grandstand, are good for the entire 40-day Saratoga meet, including Travers Day on Saturday, August 27.

One day before the meet starts, Hannaford Supermarkets will invite racing fans to meet Saratoga ’s world-class jockeys and obtain their signatures at 95 Weibel Avenue store in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, July 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The autograph session will feature Saratoga ’s top three jockeys from 2010; John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Ramon Dominguez. Velazquez, won this year’s Kentucky Derby, captured the 2010 riding title at Saratoga with 57 wins followed by Castellano with 54 wins and Dominguez with 46 victories. Several other of Saratoga ’s leading riders will also be in attendance. Hannaford Supermarkets is the official sponsor of the 2011 Jockey Autograph Book. The autograph books will be available at the signing with a voluntary contribution to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). This marks the first time since introducing the Jockey Autograph Book that fans will be able to pick up a copy outside of the race course. There also is a surprise in store for 20 lucky owners of the new Jockey Book. Hidden exclusively in the pages of the Jockey Books that are at Hannaford stores are a total of 20 golden tickets. Each golden ticket will entitle the holder and three companions to a complimentary breakfast with the jockeys at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, August 31.

I will be handicapping the 40 day race meet each race day in the Recorder and my column will appear on Saturday as usual along with both Saturday's and Sunday's selections. During the week, I'll be giving out my "selection of the day" on 1490am WCSS at 8:15am during Mike Mancini's morning show. You'll have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2011 Saratoga meet each day here at the Recorder and hopefully the success of last year will continue this year. I'm ready for it, are you?