Destination Saratoga.......duh, we know!

It seems every year, the Saratoga Racing season starts earlier and earlier. It hasn't been the "August to Be" in years! With the approach of the racing season, comes the yearly press conference unveiling the goings on of the historical track on Union Avenue. Every year it's something new, but the bottom line in my opinion is the racing product. That is first and foremost in my opinion, we all know that Saratoga Springs has been and always will be a destination vacation place, so it doesn't need the track to exist. So when the powers to be start talking about everything else besides the racing product at the Spa, I start to "zone out".

As I've stated many times, I'm all about tradition when it comes to summer thoroughbred racing in New York. We get 40 days of it, less than 40 miles from our front door. There have been many changes the past twenty years since the meet has expanded. Some good, others not so good. But, with new NYRA racing secretary; Martin Panza in charge, I see a change. And that change is a good one in my opinion.

First off, we have less racing than last summer. To this I say, thank god! There will be 15 to 20 fewer races, from the record 420 run last year. As a public handicapper for the last 16 years and handicapping the Saratoga meet overall since 1988, the 40 days at Saratoga has become very watered down. We have nine race cards on Monday's only and ten race cards on both Wednesday and Thursday. Those days include steeplechase racing start at 12:25 and there will be 12 races for the jumpers during the 40 day meet. A little more than I prefer, but at least on those days, the final race will be run at 5:15 (like on Mondays) . I agree with Martin Panza's assessment that, no one needs to be at the track 7 to 8 hours a day.

I also like the stakes schedule and the way it's set up this year. Everyday there is a stakes race and on week days, a new overnight stake. Putting the graded stakes together on the weekends and creating a "super card" much like on Belmont Stakes day is the way to go also. The creation of a N.Y. bred Showcase Day on the Sunday after the Travers is a great idea. Those races that were spread out during the meet, are better condensed for this one day event. The Whitney Handicap has become the equal to the Travers Stakes this year in purse and stature. The older handicap ranks is stronger than ever. The "win and your in" Breeder's Cup program has enhanced this race and many others. Tradition has stayed well with the Saratoga stakes schedule throughout the years and this is a good thing.

Other than the racing product, the upheaval at NYRA over the last decade has continued to hurt the organization. The constant changing of the guard with people in charge never gives stability to the company. This is a product of being run by N.Y. state and like most things regarding to that are never good! The Saratoga region has ALWAYS been a vacation destination spot. The popularity of the racecourse increased 30 years ago with the expansion of the backyard picnic area. The fusion-in of all the N.Y. "stuff" with the racetrack means little to me. I know all about the New York business products and don't need a day at the track to realize that stuff. The marketing of NYRA has gone beyond horse racing and this could be troubling in the future. A very well known business called the United States Postal Service, went that same route a few years ago with their marketing and see where they are at now. I hate to see the best thoroughbred racing in the world be overshadowed by other things can be showcased in other venues other at the track.