JC / Railbird

Saratoga Archive

A Cold Season?

“There was a chill in the air Monday morning in the backstretch at Saratoga Race Course, perhaps as much a metaphor of the mood of this meeting as a herald of the change of seasons. People working on the inside and fans alike just didn’t seem to warm up to this six-week session as they usually do. I can’t put my finger on all of it, but there was a negative buzz surrounding this Saratoga session,” writes Matt Graves. Hm … perhaps it was all the Getnick & Getnick Integrity Hotline signs plastered everywhere. (Times Union)

Posted in Saratoga on September 7, 2004

The Pair to Beat

With only one day left in the meet, Todd Pletcher has saddled 35 winners at Saratoga; John Velazquez has ridden 34 of those 35. “To their rival trainers and jockeys, the names Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez have been the most discouraging words at Saratoga Race Course this summer.” (New York Times)
Related: “Training Todd’s labor of love” (New York Daily News)

Posted in Saratoga on September 6, 2004

More Like a Nightmare

Matt Graves imagines opening day at Saratoga, 2007: “Smith: ‘We’d also like to introduce you to some of the members of the new team at Saratoga — Martha Stewart, vice president of food and beverage; Ivan Boesky, chief financial officer; Alfonse D’Amato, general counsel and director of parking; Tom Ridge, head of security; and Bobby Hull, chief of promotions. By the way, Bobby tells me we’ll be having ‘NHL Day at the Track’ every Sunday during the meet. We hope to see you all back here on Labor Day.”‘ (Times Union)

Posted in Saratoga on September 5, 2004