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This year NYRA will offer something new for the Saratoga meet. The Saratoga Sudden Death Contest is a totally different type of online contest from in the past. In this one, you select one horse that will finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a race on each card during the meet. The last contestant left standing wins a $5,000 betting voucher to be redeemed at any NYRA track. You must make your daily selection by noon EDT every race day. If your horse doesn't get in the money or you fail to make a selection each day, you are eliminated from the contest. You must register for this contest between July 16th and 24th to participate. If you don't want to deal with a daily contest entry, they will also run the Saratoga Fantasy Challenge again where you pick your fantasy stable for the meet which will also give out prizes.
Saratoga marks the beginning of the serious two year old racing season. The Breeders' Cup juvenile favorites often come from Saratoga and such prestigious races as the Saratoga Special and the Hopeful for the colts or the Adirondack and the Spinaway for the fillies.
The three year olds are also in the spotlight at Saratoga with the Travers, known as the Mid-Summer Derby. The Whitney for the older horses expects last year's Travers runner-up Albert the Great to make this race his main target for the summer. Major races will be run in all divisions including the Alabama for the 3-year-old fillies and the Personal Ensign for the older distaffers.
Saratoga is also noted for its turf racing and steeplechases. There will be several major turf stakes for the older horses of both sexes, with the premier events being the Sword Dancer Invitational for the males and the Diana Handicap for the females.
Misty morning workout at Saratoga, photo by Deborah Kral
Saratoga, the August place to be!
More Saratoga Info:
- Saratoga 2001 Overview - from NYRA
- Saratoga Racing Info - my collection of links to entries, results, charts, weather, live race calls, etc.
- Elegant Resorts and Inns of Saratoga Springs - the best places to stay in the area from Jana Jones our guide to Hotels
- Saratoga Springs - a guide to where to go and what to see in Saratoga
- National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame - a must-see spot for racing fans
- Saratoga Photos - several gorgeous photos from Saratoga courtesy of Guy Biegler and Moonlight Photography which also has a bunch more gorgeous racing photos on their website
- 2000 Saratoga Journal - daily recap of racing at the Spa from the Thoroughbred Times.
- Impressions of Saratoga - Saratoga souvenirs
- Jenness Cortez's Saratoga Collection - beautiful paintings
- The Professor - he will have a free opening day offer
- Saratoga's Best Bets - free selections for the races plus lots of other info about Saratoga
- Saratoga Green - free selections for Saratoga and other tracks
- Racing History at Saratoga:
- Stephen Dobyns mystery series set in Saratoga:
- Saratoga Backtalk
- Saratoga Fleshpot
- Saratoga Haunting
- Saratoga Strongbox
- Saratoga Trifecta - includes "Saratoga Longshot", "Saratoga Swimmer", and "Saratoga Headhunter"
- They're Off! Horse Racing at Saratoga by Edward Hotaling, an excellent historical look at Saratoga. Also available in paperback.
Title graphic from 1907 Saratoga postcard in the author's collection, licensed to About.
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