From Saratoga to Belmont
In considering the reasons why Saratoga 150 was so successful, one has to begin, as always, with the fact that so many of the best horses showed up here. Eight of the 10 highest-rated active thoroughbreds in the latest NTRA weekly poll ran at Saratoga this summer. The exceptions were the California-based Accelerate and Catalina Cruiser.
Sure, Saratoga has certain advantages. Its purse structure is the most lucrative in the country. And, yes, it’s legitimate to point out that outside of Del Mar and one Saturday each at Monmouth and Arlington, where else are top horses going to compete during the summer, if not at Saratoga? And yet if a poll were taken, the vast majority of people surveyed would admit that the best thing about winning a race at Saratoga isn’t the money. The best part is winning a race at the oldest and most prestigious major track in the country.
This summer’s meet saw established stars such as Abel Tasman, Monomoy Girl, Elate and
Imperial Hint validate their reputations with outstanding performances in Grade 1 races. This summer also saw a number of promising and/or already-accomplished horses take their game to another level. One thinks first of Diversify’s Whitney, Catholic Boy’s Travers and Yoshida’s Woodward. This list should also include Sistercharlie, Promises Fulfilled, Whitmore, Voodoo Song, Glorious Empire, Raging Bull and Eskimo Kisses.
And finally, who can forget 9-year-old Kharafa winning the West Point Stakes at 17-1 in the 50th start of his career?
The numbers from this year’s meet were impressive, especially considering that the weather was not ideal: unusually hot, humid days with frequent rains that resulted in 50 turf races – most with reduced fields – having to be run on dirt. Despite this, all-sources handle was the second-highest ever at $659,083,459. On-track handle totaled $148,826,388.
Paid attendance – which is not the same as actual attendance – was 1,124,149.
NYRA racing resumes today at Belmont Park, with the opening day of what is still referred to as the “Fall Championship Meet.” This meet is no longer the “must” destination it was before the coming of the Breeders’ Cup. And developments since – the transfer of a half-dozen races to Saratoga and the Belmont spring meet, the downgrading of other races, changes in how often and when horses are campaigned – have not helped.
Still, the 36-day meet offers 44 stakes worth over $10 million, including a number of great, historic races. Most of these will be run on three weekend days: the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and Vosburgh (Sept. 29); the Beldame, Champagne and Hill Prince (Oct 6); and the Flower Bowl, Frizette and Futurity (Oct. 7). All but the Beldame and Hill Prince are Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” races.
Belmont’s future is unclear, but the 113-year-old facility remains one of this country’s great sports venues. Most lists of the best places to watch live racing would probably include Keeneland in April, Saratoga in August and opening day at Santa Anita in December. But horse racing never feels more “right” – or to be taking place in a more appropriate setting – than it does on a crisp fall day at Belmont Park.
Jeff Scott writes about horse racing Friday in The Saratogian. He may be reached at utahpine1@aol. com