Monday, July 15, 2013
I'm back !!!!!!!!!!! and just in time for Saratoga!
Well, it's been eight long months (32 weeks to be exact) since I've written about something that I hold near and dear to my heart. But, the long wait is over and just in time for the most exciting 40 days in the thoroughbred season! It's great to be back talking and writing about the "Sport of Kings" and one I've been following since 1986. The timing couldn't be any better with the 2013 Saratoga racing season a week away and the track's 150th celebration. It's going to be a banner year for the city of springs and hopefully a great one "on track" too!
I can remember well, the 150th celebration (sesquicentennial) of my hometown village; Fort Plain in 1982 the year I graduated. It's was an event that brought my little town together. So, you can only imagine just how big the event has been for the City of Saratoga Springs and especially the next seven weeks. The fascination with horses goes back hundreds of years. From horse drawn carriages, steeplechase events, show horses, harness racing, polo, horse sales and of course, flat track meet which are all part of Saratoga’s history. The one that tops the list is summer thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course. The “track”, as it is referred to, is the oldest sporting venue in our nation and Sports Illustrated has named it one of the “Top Ten Sporting Venues In The World.” The thundering hoofs racing down the stretch and the excitement of cheering on your horse in a race all make for the perfect summer afternoon.
The celebration, which started in May and will continue through September. Brings together special events to honor it's rich history. The Honorary Chairs of the Saratoga 150 Celebration are Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson. Along with their generous donations toward the celebration, the Spa city will travel back in time when pageantry and grace ruled. Over sixty-four local non-profit organizations are involved in sponsoring events ranging from duathlons, symphonies to Shakespeare, rock concerts and thoroughbred related themes. One of the very special events was unveiled just yesterday, with the "Hoofprints Walk of Fame" on the Saratoga Race Course grounds. 30 unique plaques honoring the inaugural class of inductees, of Saratoga's racing throughout the years.
There is a special contest, right up my alley which involves a little wager. On August 3, 2013, which was the date of the first race at Saratoga 150 years ago, Sesquicentennial Honorary Chairs Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson will make it possible for one lucky winner to place a bet on the Whitney Stakes. The $15,000 win wager will be on any horse in the race that they choose. The long-time racing principals and civic-minded couple are underwriting the $75,000 Saratoga 150 promotion that offers five lucky fans this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The $15,000 wager-choice promotion will be offered each Saturday, throughout the remainder of the Saratoga racing meeting. . The other designated races are: August 10, Fourstardave Handicap; August 17, Alabama Stakes; August 24, $1 million Travers Stakes; and August 31, Woodward Stakes. Each individual will be chosen randomly from a contest entry form that must be completed on the Saratoga150.com website. There are many other events ongoing through the end of September. It's an exciting time of the year just 40 minutes from our area, to go back 150 years in time makes it even better!
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