Spectacular Saratoga Summer 2015

The 2015 Saratoga meeting was highlighted by glorious weather for virtually all 40 days. The typical late afternoon thunderstorms were almost non-existent, the extremely hot and humid conditions were rare, and mornings were frequently cool and crisp. Turf races were abundant, fields were large, purses were high, and the result was records in all-source and on-track handle.

Saratoga fans ultimately did what they always do and embraced a new track announcer, the new red jacket Walk of Fame, the change in picnic table policy, and the Carousel sports bar.

Horse racing was at its best as fans old and young along with experienced and beginning handicappers enjoying the round the clock Saratoga racing experience.

To wrap-up the summer I give you my favorite moments of the Saratoga meeting. They are arranged in no particular order, but if you know me you can probably guess my favorite.

Travers

American Pharoah brought the excitement to Travers Week that only a Triple Crown winner could supply. 15,000 fans came out on Friday morning to see him train and attendance on Travers Day was capped at 50,000. Although many fans left disappointed when their superstar finished a bit behind Keen Ice, the American Pharoah phenomenon was in full effect at the Spa.

Rachel Alexandra and Stonestreet Stables

Rachel Alexandra added to her legacy at Saratoga this summer when both of her foals were victorious. First it was Rachel’s Valentina winning at first asking followed by Jess’s Dream’s amazing rally from far behind in his initial race. Rachel’s runners stayed unbeaten when Valentina won the Spinaway (G1).

Stonestreet Stables had quite a Saratoga meeting with their runners winning seven of 14 starts. Rachel’s progeny went three for three and Cavorting was the only horse to win two graded stakes when she dominated the Test (G1) and the Prioress (G2).

Whitney and Woodward

The two most important grade ones for the Older Male Dirt division produced two standout performers. First in the Whitney, Honor Code was able to back up his breakout performance in the Met Mile with another dramatic stretch run in which he caught Liam’s Map just before the wire. Then in the Woodward, Liam’s Map was able to take the field gate to wire to win and record the top speed figure of the meeting.

Lady Shipman

Lady Shipman burned up the turf course at Saratoga with two blazing 5 ½ furlong victories. First this daughter of Midshipman won the Coronation Cup on August 3^rd in 1:00.85 earning a BSF 102 and she backed it up with an August 30^th win in the Smart N Fancy in a new track record time of 1:00.46 that got a 104 BSF. The wins moved her career stats to 10: 8-0-2 and $338,800.

Runhappy

When Runhappy (11-1) crushed the field in the King’s Bishop (G1) many people were asking, ‘Who is that horse and who is that trainer?’ Runhappy should not have been a surprise to members of Horse Racing Nation. HRN featured a video interview and blog with trainer Maria Borell previewing Runhappy’s goal of running at Saratoga.

Flintshire

Flintshire, who had run second in last year’s Breeder’s Cup Turf behind Main Sequence, came to the Spa and put on a display of turf racing prowess when he easily won the Sword Dancer (G1). In doing so, Flintshire stamped himself as the favorite for this year’s BC Turf.

Private Zone

After backing up his win in the Belmont Sprint Championship (G3) with a powerful victory in the Forego (G1), Private Zone moved to the top of the Male Sprint division. The six-year-old lead the Forego every step of the way. A six-furlong spllt of 1:08.53 didn’t slow down Private Zone as he continued to widen his lead to a final margin of 3 ¾ lengths.

Irad and Todd

Todd Pletcher won his 12^th Saratoga training title, which is also his sixth in a row. On August 31^st, Chad Brown had a 30-26 lead over Pletcher, buta 0-26 streak allowed Pletcher to get a four win lead during the final day of meeting.

Irad Ortiz Jr., the 23-year-old native of Puerto Rico, won his first Saratoga jockey title with 57 trips to the winner’s circle, beating Javier Castellano who won in 2013 and 2104. Although Castellano finished second in wins, he did lead in money won and he dominated the grade one stakes with victories in the Vanderbilt, Hopeful, Alabama, Travers, Whitney, and Woodward.  Noteworthy newcomers to the Top 10 were Kendrick Carmouche, who spent last summer at Monmouth Park, and apprentice Eric Cancel.

Best Beyer Speed Figures

The best Beyer Speed Figures of the Saratoga meeting came in grade one stakes: Liam’s Map 114 in the Woodward, Runhappy in the King’s Bishop and Honor Code in the Whitney both recorded a 113, and Flintshire got a 112 in the Sword Dancer.