Saratoga News & Notes

[Horse's Rear]

I think because the majority of people, especially the racetrack newbies, were still using the tellers- if they still had 10 tellers for every 30 machines (which is what I counted on Thursday), the lines would have been unmanageable.

I would have a different guess, but also based on a crowd of newbies.

One thing that has been very noticeable at Del Mar over the years is that on days that draw a lot of first-timers, the lines at the machines back up quickly. This is frequently because first-timers go to the machine without getting a voucher first, and start punching buttons, trying to figure out how to make the machine take cash or their credit card. On days like that, the attendants are running around like mad trying to explain to first-timers how to get a voucher first; I suspect that they tried to steer people toward tellers who can take cash for the wager.

[Ezariah]

Yes, it was very bad. The favorite, Doing Great, brokedown just before the stretch. Castellano was at first thrown clear, but she may have rolled or fell on him. It was hard to tell. She knocked down part of the temporary rail when she fell. He tried to pull her up, but it looked like it broke even worse and that caused her to fall suddenly. Looked to me like a hindend injury, but not sure.

Hearing via Twitter that there was a very bad breakdown in the Lucy Scribner; Javier Castellano taken off on a stretcher.

[Railbird]

Press office confirmed cardiovascular collapse. I was figuring it was something like that - she never did get up.

Javier says he's OK and did not want to go to the hospital, but has not been medically cleared to ride.

[second_glance]

Jerry Hollendorfer today at his HOF induction ceremony: “I’d like to dedicate this plaque to all the racing fans of America. It will remain at Saratoga and it is forever yours.”

[EquineAnne]

Naughty New Yorker retired. Again. As per Pat Kellly.

I hope he can stay retired.

[honneerider]

I wish Naughty New Yorker all the best. I always cheered him on.

[second_glance]

I wish Naughty New Yorker all the best. I always cheered him on.

I did too. But . . . I bet the the NY-breds had a party in the barns last night -- and the drinks were provided by Icabad Crane and Stud Muffin (both of whom have won at SAR this meet, and could afford it).

[Slewbopper]

I got converted this week. When I arrived last Wed, in the upper grandstand, there were 2 machines for every teller. After the first race, I bought my very first voucher. I gently talked to the machine and said "go easy on me, I'm a 63 year old virgin". I was amazed at how easy it was, and infuriated with myself for not switching a very long time ago. I'm sure I will never use a teller again, even when back home.

The crazy thing was that today with a huge crowd, they converted to double the number of tellers and half the number of machines. I'm not sure why that makes any sense?

As for being easy to use.......way too easy. I had to reel myself in after the first day, when I realized I was making far more bets than usual.

Rick...I am shocked it took you so long. I have been using SAM machines since they started....mid 80s? My first computer lesson 15 years before I bought my first PC.

I trust the machines over tellers. Had a bad experience with a teller at Belmont on BC Preview Day a few years ago. It was the Vosburgh (4th race?). I loved Speightstown at 2/1. Told the teller 50 to win on No.2. When I went to cash my ticket, it came back. I looked at the ticket closely. The teller had punched out the 2 in the 4th race at Santa Anita. I did get my money back since the race was still two hours from going off, but it cost me $100.

Rick, the novelty will wear off and you will bet the same way you did using tellers.

[Ballerina]

I became acqainted with the "machines" whe the 10 cent superfecta came into being - tellers don't handle them.

BUT, I usually place my bets with the tellers. I don't wait until the last minute to place a bet when the lines tend to be long, and those tellers can spit out those tickets faster than I can at a machine If too many people go to the machines, then some tellers will be out of a job. I do the same in the supermarket or Lowes or Home Depot - no self-service for me. I want interface with a live person. And, it's not like they're giving mee a discount for doing the job myself. Too many machines taking over the job of people

But, that's me.

[Rick1323]

Rick...I am shocked it took you so long. I have been using SAM machines since they started....mid 80s? My first computer lesson 15 years before I bought my first PC.

I trust the machines over tellers. Had a bad experience with a teller at Belmont on BC Preview Day a few years ago. It was the Vosburgh (4th race?). I loved Speightstown at 2/1. Told the teller 50 to win on No.2. When I went to cash my ticket, it came back. I looked at the ticket closely. The teller had punched out the 2 in the 4th race at Santa Anita. I did get my money back since the race was still two hours from going off, but it cost me $100.

Rick, the novelty will wear off and you will bet the same way you did using tellers.

The novelty wore off after a couple of days. I am strictly a horizontal bettor. Doubles, pick 3s and 4s. I found myself throwing in exactas and even a few tri's just because it was easy and I had money on the voucher. By the third day I didn't play a single exacta or tri.

I really don't know why it took so long. I am fairly computer literate and the screens didn't intimidate me at all. I guess it is because that the tracks I frequent have had the same tellers for years. I used the same guy at Finger Lakes for over 20 years, and an older woman at the IRS window at Saratoga for equally as long. I used the SAM at Finger Lakes yesterday and stopped by to see my favorite teller just for a voucher and a chat.

[second_glance]

Tweet from Claire Novak at SAR -- overheard press box: "What time is Uncle Mo working tomorrow? "6am." "I only get up that early for Rachel Alexandra, and she's not here."

ROTFL.

[PJMIII]

St. John's River brings Leggio back to Saratoga

The first time Andrew Leggio Jr. ran a horse in a Grade 1 race came 35 years after he took out his trainer's license. At age 71, the longtime fixture on the Louisiana racing circuit traveled north in 2005 for the Ballerina S. (G1) at Saratoga Race Course with a four-year-old filly named Happy Ticket, who had won nine of her first 10 starts, but never on a major stage.

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/edito...e.cgi?id=23447

[PJMIII]

From brisnet.com

Friday is "Fabulous Fillies Day" at Saratoga Race Course. The day will feature a number of special events and activities designed to honor women of the Thoroughbred industry while raising funds to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). The first 25,000 fans through the admission gates will each receive a pink breast cancer support bracelet, courtesy of BCRF. The centerpiece of the day-long affair will be the Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. (EDT) in the Upper Carousel. BCRF Founder and Chairman and The Estée Lauder Companies' Senior Corporate Vice President Evelyn H. Lauder will serve as Honorary Co-Chair of the Luncheon. The luncheon will also honor Anne Campbell of Dogwood Stable for her extensive community service and role in the Thoroughbred racing community. General tickets are $150 per person. All proceeds benefit BCRF. Tickets may be purchased by contacting NYRA Director of Community Relations Joanne K. Adams by phone at 718-659-2262 or via email at jadams@nyrainc.com.

[Slewbopper]

The novelty wore off after a couple of days. I am strictly a horizontal bettor. Doubles, pick 3s and 4s. I found myself throwing in exactas and even a few tri's just because it was easy and I had money on the voucher. By the third day I didn't play a single exacta or tri.

.

It doesn't take long to figure it out. Sometimes when I am thinking of a complex bet, I might miscalculate what it will cost. The machne will tell you before you punch your ticket. Always good to know a ticket is going to be $24 instead of $60.

[second_glance]

Delightful story by Claire Novak on the Clancy brothers (Joe and Sean) and their newspaper, The Saratoga Special.

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/stor...864708/special

[Ballerina]

Delightful story by Claire Novak on the Clancy brothers (Joe and Sean) and their newspaper, The Saratoga Special.

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/stor...864708/special

It's a wonderful publication, and it's FREE. I marvel at how they can crank such a newsworthy paper day after day. I save all my copies.

[PJMIII]

Saratoga: On-track handle, attendance showing gains

On-track wagering at Saratoga Race Course continues to climb compared to 2010 totals while attendance is up slightly and all-sources handle down a fraction through week four (22 days) of the meet, according to The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA).

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/th...showing-gains/

[PJMIII]

Travers Festival features charity benefits, Restaurant Week and giveaways

For the 16th consecutive year, the Travers Festival returns to Saratoga and the greater Capital Region in anticipation of one of the highlights of the summer -- the $1 million Travers S. (G1).

The Travers Festival kicks off on Saturday and continues through August 28. The festival offers a variety of entertainment for the Spa City community and visitors, all in celebration of Saratoga's crown jewel and the summer's biggest and most anticipated race -- the 142nd running of the Travers on August 27.

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/edito...e.cgi?id=23467

[Ballerina]

September issue of Money magazine list Saratogs Springs #75 of the top 100 small towns and cities to live in the USA. #1 was Louisville, CO.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/money...011/index.html

[Jeff]

September issue of Money magazine list Saratogs Springs #75 of the top 100 small towns and cities to live in the USA. #1 was Louisville, CO.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/money...011/index.html

Complete with a photo of the Neilsen House -- located on the grounds of the Saratoga National Battlefield, which is miles from Saratoga Springs in the towns of Stillwater and Saratoga (which is a town unaffiliated with the city of Saratoga Springs).

Also, a squib about Saratoga Springs that doesn't even mention horses or racing.

Great job, guys.