Previously on ATP (At the Post), we looked at the state of the game and recent racetrack closures. The path NYRA has endured in recent years and it's future will place a load of expectation on the Saratoga meet. We summarized that it will be the public support on track and revenue intake that will determine the future of the sport. We also focused on the fall out of this year's Breeder's Cup Classic, the non-disqualification and when the dust settles, who will be the top thoroughbred of 2014. Fast forward to a new year and with my first column of 2015, we move forward for our 17th year discussing the Sport of Kings, it's leaders both on track and behind the scenes with trends of the public and what the future holds ...... at this moment.
We truly had an "old fashioned" winter, one for the record books. It affected all the east coast tracks right down to Florida. The month of February was the snowiest and coldest in at least twenty years, if not longer. The winter of discontent affected the New York circuit and the inner-track at Aqueduct big time. A record amount of race day cancellations plagued NYRA this winter. Even with the shorten live racing schedule, the amount of lost racing dates will effect NYRA's bottom line this year. Lost revenue will have to be made up and I'm sure NYRA will start to look to ways of getting back the monies lost in various ways. Days that NYRA was supposed to be close during the late winter / early spring meet at Aqueduct will most certainly be made up and even more emphasis will be placed on the Belmont summer meet plus the 40 days at Saratoga. It will be an interesting year for New York racing. The soap opera continues, one that has endure for nearly 15 years. Thoroughbred racing vs. the powers to be in N.Y. state government.
Shared Belief was one of the best juvenile runners of 2013, but foot issues held him back for the early part of his three year old season last year. But, he returned with a vengeance at mid season and remained undefeated headed into the Breeder's Cup Classic. But, a very uneventful start hindered his chances and the undefeated streak was snapped. The controversial disqualification decision was the talk of the racing world after his defeat the public outcry for more uniformed steward decisions, especially in major graded stake races was brought to the forefront.
But the outcome did not stop Shared Belief proving that he is the best older horse in the country so far this year. At the top of his game by winning the seven furlong Malibu Stakes the day after Christmas and defeating Horse of the Year - California Chrome in the San Antonio Handicap impressively, this past Saturday he faced 13 other runners in the historic Santa Anita Handicap going the classic distance of a mile and a quarter. As the 3-10 favorite, he proved that he is the BEST main track horse to come along in recent years by destroying the field under a hand ride. This son gelded son of Candy Ride is now 10 for 11 lifetime and will make his next start outside California, in Arkansas at Oaklawn Park. He made me a believer and the sky is the limit with the Dark Bay gelding.
So, as we start a new season on ATP we pick up on the story lines of five months ago and look forward to the excitement with Shared Belief and a bit of apprehension with the state of thoroughbred racing in New York and the battle that NYRA will have the remainder of the year and the "bottom line" with the state. All this with the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown awaits us, along with the 2015 Saratoga season and the next 38 weeks of ATP (At the Post) will be exciting for me and the weekly readers of this column. Come along for the ride, fellow horse racing fans!
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