He arrived late. His luggage was lost. He rode in borrowed boots. He got sick. He had to leave early.

But it was worth it.

“100 percent,” said Frankie Dettori of his weekend trip to ride for the first time at Saratoga Race Course.

“It was always my ambition to get here,” he said Monday, sitting outside the Saratoga jockeys’ room before heading back to the U.K.

Continue reading at Thoroughbred Racing Commentary—

Frankie Dettori photo credit NYRA/Susie Raisher