Saratoga News & Notes

[Ballerina]

Report Documents Economic Impact of Saratoga

By Blood-Horse Staff
Updated: Thursday, November 17, 2011 10:45 AM
Posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 10:47 A

A report on the economic impact of the summer race meet at Saratoga has concluded that the Saratoga Springs, N.Y., track contributes about $200 million annually to the economy of a nine-county region that comprises the greater Capital Region.


Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz1dzPExmuo

[PJMIII]

Saratoga television schedule set

The NBC Sports Group finalized its lineup of five television shows that will originate from Saratoga this summer.

http://www.drf.com/news/saratoga-tel...n-schedule-set

[PJMIII]

Saratoga Open House scheduled for July 15

The familiar gates of Saratoga Race Course will open five days early as the New York Racing Association prepares to host its annual pre-season preview party, the 32nd annual Open House. A Saratoga tradition held prior to the start of racing season at North America's most historic thoroughbred racetrack, Open House returns to kick off a full day of fun and attractions on Sunday, July 15, to benefit dozens of local non-profit organizations.

http://www.thoroughbredchampions.com...6843&noquote=1

[PJMIII]

Pricci - Detention Barn for Saratoga Bad Political Theater

Last week, when we were dealing with issues resulting from a corrupt server, there was a Daily Racing Form story that trainer Larry Jones decided to decline the 11 stalls he was allocated for the upcoming Saratoga meet.

http://www.horseraceinsider.com/on-the-line

[second_glance]

@Ed DeRosa: Saratoga limiting starters in 2yo races to 8 for sprints and 10 for routes

[algobbi]

The New York Racing Association board of directors’ racing committee announced July 3 the field size of 2-year-old maiden races at sprint distances during the upcoming Saratoga Race Course meet will be limited to eight starters. The field size for two-turn juvenile maiden races will be limited to 10 starters.

“The catalyst behind limiting the field sizes in the maiden races for juveniles was two-fold,” said NYRA vice president and director of racing P. J. Campo in a release. “The smaller fields are expected to produce more cleanly run events while also creating the opportunity to showcase more high-quality betting races during the meet and beyond. We expect this change will strengthen NYRA's juvenile stakes and allowance programs by helping horses gain the experience they need to compete successfully at higher levels.”

“Protecting our horses is an important mandate,” added New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association president and NYRA board member Rick Violette Jr. in a statement. “Larger fields of inexperienced, young horses often result in roughly run races. This approach will offer a kinder, gentler and, perhaps, wiser introduction to racing for young horses, and could, in fact, extend their careers.

Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz1zbxstugk

[second_glance]

@ChristinaTVG: For the first time in his career, trainer Wayne Catalano is taking a string of 20 to @saratogatrack. #goodluckcat

[Ballerina]

An end to Hattie's at the track? Maybe! Hattie's, the 2nd most popular food concession, may not be returning to Saratoga's this year. Centerplate has been playing games with Hattie's moving them to an out of the way place and only letting them know 3 weeks before the track opens of such a move - one which they have to pay for all new set-ups and hook ups. NYRA strikes again.

http://saratogian.com/articles/2012/...1766719999.txt

[PJMIII]

Saratoga stakes targeted by McLaughlin runners

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said this morning that multiple Grade 1 winner It's Tricky will most likely make her next start at Saratoga, either in the Grade 1 Ballerina on August 24 or the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on August 26.

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/edito...e.cgi?id=30065

[PJMIII]

Saratoga kicks off 2012 season

The nation's finest horses, top jockeys and best trainers will once again gather in upstate New York when historic Saratoga Race Course commences its 144th season of racing on Friday, with the Grade 1, $1 million Travers the centerpiece of a glittering 40-day meet that runs through Labor Day, September 3.

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/edito...e.cgi?id=30147

[second_glance]

Some glitches today. The much-vaunted free wifi went down. Problems with the in-house audio. And now, says Jerry Bossert, there's no water in the grandstand or the jocks' room .

[Jeff]

Some glitches today. The much-vaunted free wifi went down. Problems with the in-house audio. And now, says Jerry Bossert, there's no water in the grandstand or the jocks' room .

Not an opening day to be proud of.

No PA at the start of the day. Crist and Serling were unable to do their handicapping segment because of the sound system failure.

Water failed.

The number of non-operative or malfunctioning betting machines had to be a record.

People told me the WiFi simply didn't work.

The racing was excellent. The performance of NYRA on-track was not. I have lived here for 30 years and have missed only a couple opening days. This was by far the most inauspicious.

And that is being charitable.

This racetrack sits virtually idle for 10 months a year. And somehow, when opening day rolls around, it's not ready for prime time. No excuse for that, in my view.

I love the place. But today was a disgrace.

[PJMIII]

Wise Dan to Fourstardave off five-furlong move; Successful Dan targeting Whitney

Trainer Charles Lopresti only has five horses on the grounds at Saratoga, but two of them rank among the top runners in training.

Lopresti, in his third meet based at Saratoga, is pointing five-year-old Wise Dan toward the Grade 2, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap, a one-mile turf race on August 11. His six-year-old Successful Dan will run in the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Handicap, a 1 1/8-mile dirt race and one of the marquee events of the meet, on August 4.

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/edito...e.cgi?id=30215

[PJMIII]

From Brisnet

Following a difficult Saturday sequence in which only one favorite was victorious, Saratoga's first Sunday card of the season will be highlighted by a two-day Pick 6 carryover of $280,309.44. Sunday's Pick 6, which spans the final six races, commences at 3:13 p.m. (EDT) with the 5TH race. The sequence has 79 entries (including also-eligibles and main-track-only horses) and features the Grade 2, $200,000 Sanford for two-year-olds.

[Jeff]

From Brisnet

Following a difficult Saturday sequence in which only one favorite was victorious, Saratoga's first Sunday card of the season will be highlighted by a two-day Pick 6 carryover of $280,309.44. Sunday's Pick 6, which spans the final six races, commences at 3:13 p.m. (EDT) with the 5TH race. The sequence has 79 entries (including also-eligibles and main-track-only horses) and features the Grade 2, $200,000 Sanford for two-year-olds.

A $28,666 payout for a winning Pick 6 ticket yesterday. Today's card looks tough enough to possibly set the table for a new carryover into Wednesday.

A good opening three days, racing-wise. But frustrating: Despite the fact that local newspapers are reporting that all opening day issues appear resolved, that is NOT the case.

The PA is not working in several areas of the grandstand. In some other areas of the track, it works sporadically -- cutting in and out.

There are still way too many betting machines that are not working. In some sections -- even yesterday -- up to half of the machines are inoperable.

It was better yesterday than Friday or Saturday, but it's still not there yet.

But both the Saratogian and Times Union have reported the glitches have been worked out. I guess things are working in the press box.

[PJMIII]

From Brisnet

A field of 10 sophomores has been entered to go 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga Thursday in the $100,000 Quick Call Stakes, and each one will be seeking his first black-type victory in the race. Drago's Best owns the best finish against stakes rivals, running third last out in the Charlie Barley at Woodbine while making his turf bow. Also trying the green for just the second time on Thursday is Love Those Boots (Love of Money), a half-length second on the grass at Colonial while going the distance two weeks ago. Saratoga's Thursday card will get underway with 11 steeplechasers bounding over 2 1/16 miles worth of jumps in the $75,000 Jonathan Kiser Novice Stakes.

[EquineAnne]

I can't wait!!!

Barbara Banke, owner of Stonestreet, will visit Saratoga Race Course this Friday, July 27, to announce the name of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra’s first foal, a colt by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin born on January 22.

http://www.stonestreetfarms.com/info/?page_id=144

[serenassong]

Not for anything, but the name "Taco" has kinda grown on me.

[second_glance]

Not for anything, but the name "Taco" has kinda grown on me.

Yeah. As GinTalking pointed out on Stonestreet's FB page -- at this point, it doesn't matter what they name him, his fans are going to be yelling "Taco!!!!!", when he hits the track.

[EquineAnne]

Yeah. As GinTalking pointed out on Stonestreet's FB page -- at this point, it doesn't matter what they name him, his fans are going to be yelling "Taco!!!!!", when he hits the track.

And they seemed quite emphatic that Taco was NOT his registered name. LOL.