The 2011 Saratoga race meet is in the books and for a second straight year it was very successful one on all fronts. It was another 40 day meet (39 really because of Hurricane Irene) and with the extra days added, the handle and attendance was not hurt. Also, the quality of racing was much better than at the Belmont summer meet or Monmouth Park this summer. Mostly full fields (especially on grass and in the claiming races) was the rule of thumb. This year there was a plethora of two year old races, since there seems to be a limited amount carded at Belmont Park and the juveniles get started later every year. With the closing of New York City OTB, on track attendance has increased at Belmont Park this year. With the meet moving to Saratoga for six weeks, those numbers continued to go up with simulcast wagering at Belmont Park . The New York Racing Association and their leaders can be very proud once again for the product they put "on track" during the "Summer Place to Be" at the Spa.
We saw some exciting horses racing the last 39 days also at Saratoga . Older handicap runners, top turf horses and those young two year old horses were all a part of an exciting stakes schedule that PJ Campo put together for the race meet. The gritty, sometimes wacky It's Tricky showed she would win at any cost in the Coaching Club American Oaks, a few week's later; Royal Delta would turn the tables on her with a late explosive winning move in the Alabama Stakes. But, maybe the "best" three year old filly could have been; Turbulent Descent, who bounced back to her winning ways in the Test Stakes for sprinting fillies. On the three year old boys side, there was just one word to say my friends; Stay Thirsty. He captured BOTH the Jim Dandy Stakes and Travers Stakes and most likely locked up three year old championship honors. Don't forget either; Caleb's Posse, who also had a three year old sprinter double with victories in the Amsterdam Stakes & King's Bishop Stakes.
The older filly and mares had an surprising star in the front-running; Ask the Moon, who also captured both major stake races (the Ruffian Handicap & Personal Ensign) for the Distaff division. Turf runners like; Winchester , Winter Memories, Emerald Beech were the stars on the "proper surface" winning key turf stakes at the Spa this season. For the older handicap runners saw two horses have a "renaissance" turn in their careers. Both Tiznow and Jackson Bend both came back to the races with great wins and now possible contenders for Breeder's Cup race championships. The "babies" are always in the spotlight and this year is no different. We saw exciting "future" stars like; Overdriven, My Miss Aurelia, Union Rags, Grace Hall and Currency Swap show their wares in winning stakes at Saratoga this meet. But, it was a filly that captured the hearts of Saratoga racing season and SHE is the best horse in training at the moment. Havre de Grace took on the "boys" in the Woodward Stakes and just like Rachel Alexandra did two year's ago, she beat them!
It was also another good year for myself with my Saratoga daily selections for the RECORDER. We broke the hundred win barrier for a second straight year with 101 winners and a $700 ROI for those winners picked. Plus, on the radio-side; we had 10 winners from my "Horse to Beat" play of the day for WCSS 1490am each week day. But, most of all personally for me; it was a "winning" season nearly from start to finish with my "personal" bankroll. I was only down $3.00 at any point for the 39 day meet and showed a profit at the end. When you can say that you; finished "in the black" during a race meet, you've really accomplished something!
No comments:
Post a Comment