The almighty BUCK!

Hope springs eternal every opening day, every year that the Saratoga Race course season begins. The finest racing in the world makes it's way less than 30 miles from us. These 40 days during the peak of summer are the focus of the racing world and put Saratoga Springs on the map. It's no denying that this is the biggest sport event for our area, year in and year out. It's always been about the racing, but in the world we live in today sometimes that's just not enough. It becomes about the almighty dollar and how much of it the state can get from it from the track.

I know I sound like a broken record, but Saratoga has changed so much just the last ten years. Many changes were for the good, then there are others that have changed the landscape of this historic track, forever. With these more racial changes, they have came at price and involve a price. None more so than this year. Two glaring major changes trackside have put the Saratoga experience at a more costly one. The need to put a premier price tag on select picnic tables in a special area and the limiting access to the lower level carousel bar area.

Since the New York Racing Association came under charge of the state of New York, it's all been about one thing; making money. If on track attendance and low wagering handle comes into play, there will be a need to make up the money elsewhere. That is what comes into play with these two new Saratoga improvements. You can reserve a picnic table at cost and cut out trying to hunt one down in the wee morning hours. You can sit in an area and not only wager on the ponies, but also watch other sports broadcasted.

For some, this is great. But, when I go to the track, want to play the ponies and nothing else. I guess I've been used to spending my $2 or $3 at the gate, bring some food and drinks with me and spend my money, betting! It's as simple as that. When you're used to something that for many years didn't cost anything, it's sometimes tough to accept that change of a fee. But make one thing clear folks, these changes are for one thing and one thing only..... making money for the state and keep them happy. NYRA's biggest job now and the immediate future is to turn a profit for the state. Don't let anybody tell you anything different. It's a sad, but true fact and we got to get used to it!

While it's true that Triple Crown winner; American Pharoah, may or may not be making an appearance at the Spa this racing season, two of his likely opponents will definitely not. This past week, Tencendur a talented three year old NY bred colt unfortunately fractured a sesamoid in his left front leg and will be sidelined indefinitely. He recently was a sharp 2nd in the Ohio Derby and had set his sights on possibly a Jim Dandy and Travers run. He was locally based on a farm in nearby Galway N.Y. and trained by George Weaver. Also, late Thursday it was announced that Tampa Bay Derby winner; Carpe Diem had been retired due to a knee chip injury. He made a very good impression breaking his maiden at Saratoga last summer and was one of the top Kentucky Derby prospects going into that race. He had a disappointing effort, but was recently freshened up and was also pointing to the Spa. These two three year olds, along with the laminitis issues for the three year old turf filly; Lady Eli, have left a void in the Saratoga stakes schedule for the sophomore runners. Hopefully this trend of racing stars getting hurt mid-season will cease before the Fall championship road starts toward the Breeder's Cup.