It’s over. It’s OVER. And while there are plenty of folks out there happy to see the Spa meet come to an end, I will respectfully submit that they are out of their minds, because there is, simply, no better place to be. Though sentimental temptation infused my ride back to Saratoga last Friday, it’s…
Though the Woodward has been run at Saratoga only since 2006, Mr. William Woodward was no stranger to the old Spa. Owner and breeder extraordinaire from his Maryland farm, Woodward was a New Yorker: he was born in New York City in 1876, and he died there in 1953. His horses won five Belmont Stakes.…
On Monday, I got a release informing me that today, NYRA would unveil its proposed capital improvements for Saratoga Race Course, and that tonight, it would hold a community forum to get public opinion on the proposals. Really? Really? On one of the FOUR days of the whole meet that I won’t be there? Really?…
School obligations led me southward earlier this week, away from Saratoga and back to Brooklyn, which looks remarkably verdant and beautiful after two months’ absence. I am happy to be home…I will also be happy to make my way north tomorrow, back for closing weekend at the Spa. Among the many things to look forward…
My Travers weekend started like this. Friday morning, out on the Oklahoma to meet an early interview, and I got blessed with one of Saratoga’s perfect mornings. For the first time since 2000, I wasn’t at Saratoga to see the sun rise on Travers morning; I missed the day’s first race, the annual sprint for…
If Angel Cordero, Jr., is known as the King of Saratoga, maybe trainer Winbert F. “Bert” Mulholland should be known as the King of the Travers. No one – jockey, trainer, owner – won Saratoga’s signature race more often than he did, teaming up with owner George Widener, Jr., for a record five Travers Stakes.…
On Monday night, Saratoga’s jockey colony turned out in full force to sing for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. This karaoke event, first held during the Keeneland meets, was moved to Saratoga this year, in part, said jockey John Velazquez, to take advantage of the notice that racing gets here, and to increase awareness of…
If you missed last night’s evening for jockey karaoke to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, you missed one of the most fun nights of the summer…and my karaoke début, which I don’t think was a complete embarrassment. But I could be wrong about that. Don’t miss out on these upcoming opportunities to do good…
Being Brendan Shanahan is a pretty good deal. In a 20-year playing career, he won three Stanley Cups and two gold medals with Team Canada, along with a Canada Cup championship. When he retired in 2008, he led the NHL among active goal scorers. Upon retirement, “Shanny” took an executive position with the league, serving…
The poor Triple Tiara. It’s been poked and prodded and tweaked and changed multiple times in the last half century; it might be the Rodney Dangerfield of Thoroughbred racing. Even the trainer whose filly might become the first Triple Tiara winner in 18 years isn’t that excited about it. In fact, Kiaran McLaughlin indicated that he…
Brooklyn Backstretch 