Another Saratoga racing meet in the books! We had 40 days of 417 races, which were a record of any past Saratoga race meet. That's 20 more races than in 2011, which in turn made the overall handle rise than the pervious year. The was no doubt that the upstate Saratoga weather was the best in recent years. Not too hot and with little bad weather that effect the grass racing. Sometimes although, NYRA did jump the gun with taking races off-the-turf when there was just a little rain felt (August 17th - Friday, 10th race finale). There was plenty of "cheaper" races this year, lots of "beaten" claimer races usually for 20k. I guess you'll see plenty of these races when, 37 of the 40 days have 10+ races each day.
I have never seen so many nine-plus race cards in the 26 years that I've been going to Saratoga . Way too many races, in my opinion! With advent of VLT money for the NYRA races, purses have ballooned to an all time high. Unfortunately, bigger purse mean cheaper horses running with more opportunities. Great for the small-time horseman on the NYRA circuit, especially during the long Aqueduct Inner-track meet. But, when it comes to Saratoga and the "best" thoroughbred racing in the world, this causes a problem.
When I started following thoroughbred racing in the mid 80's, the Saratoga meet was the "August, place to be". But with life, things change throughout the years. I've seen the historic Saratoga meet bloom from 24 days to 40. From nine races a day, to ten or more. From the "lowest" claiming level from 35k to 20k and even lower in recent years, BEFORE the added VLT monies. Thank god that the Recorder is a morning newspaper and that NYRA post entries early. If not, my job handicapping would be even tougher!
The trend of "more" racing at Saratoga is a disturbing one. It seems that the "powers to be" are more concern with the money wagered, than the quality and traditional races that made Saratoga the premier thoroughbred racing meet in the world. Is this because, NYRA has it's back to the wall with the state of New York and it's governor? These are questions I've been asking myself, since the change in regime in the New York Racing Association earlier this year. If the "state" decides to conduct Saratoga thoroughbred racing from July 4th to Labor Day next year, six days a week like Saratoga has been for years, here would be the schedule; racing would start on a Thursday in 2013. The total amount of days between then and Labor Day on a six day week would be; 53 racing days. If NYRA went to a five day race meet (like Aqueduct & Belmont) it would be 45 days. That would be a bit easier to digest, but 10.4 races a day (in 2012 for 40 days) would be 468 races for the meet or 51 more races! Really, is this what the "state" wants Saratoga racing to become?
Don't get me wrong, the Saratoga thoroughbred race meet, means the world to me. I've looked forward to when the races comes north from Belmont each year since 1986. But, if racing becomes like Aqueduct during the winter months with the extension from July 4th until Labor Day, this guy will sit on the sidelines for most of the meet!
My Saratoga final totals for the 2012 racing meet are as follows; 102 winners out of 416 races with a ROI of $623 on a $2.00 wager of "top" selection winners. My "Horse to Beat" Play of the Day had 8 winners, 8 places and 4 show winners out of 38 races.
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