Oklahoma Sunrise: a Saratoga photo blog

Even though the racing season does not start until later in July, the training track will open Monday. This track is located across from the main track on Union Avenue, and the Whitney Viewing Stand provides expansive views. The public can watch, and hear, the horses from the rail every morning during track season. In anticipation of the opening of the Oklahoma track, I’d like to share a few of my favorite photos from this little paradise.

As the racehorses move into their barns in April, the backstretch is still a barren, almost moonscape-like. But the thoroughbreds warm the place with their radiant grace and energy, like this lone racehorse being hot-walked after training last April.

Contrast this with the lush greens on a summer morning: Christophe Clement exercise riders, led by Jordan Erwin, cooling down their horses after a workout ....

Outrider Natalie Rutigliano peeking into the rising sun to check on the racehorses while her pony is still half asleep:

A Rudy Rodriguez exercise rider flying by in a blur, transitioning from dawn into the sunrise, wheels up, with just his face and the chest of the horse being touched by the sun's first rays: 

Gun Runner loved his early morning training, getting onto the track often before sunrise. Here this 2017 Horse of the Year is heading into one of his regular early morning gallops:

Exercise riders following the glowing guide rails through the thick morning fog into the rising sun on a golden Saratoga morning:

A James Jerkens exercise rider demonstrating some flying team work with his guide pony:

A Peter Pugh exercise rider is released into the thick morning fog by her pony rider just before sunrise:

A stunning Saratoga Sunrise at the track fills your heart for a whole year, or at least the long winters up here in the Northeast. So when you are in town for the racing season this summer, don’t miss to go to the Oklahoma track, not just for parking, but especially to watch the magic unfold each morning ….