As has been the case through much of its history, Saratoga is the place for juveniles. Numerous 2-year-olds who launched their careers here in 2010 went on to win graded stakes, the most notable being champion 2-year-old colt Uncle Mo, who won his debut by 14 1/4 lengths on the Travers undercard and then went on to win the Champagne at Belmont and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs. Likewise, the first two finishers in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (More Than Real and Winter Memories), won their debuts here, along with Breeders' Futurity winner J.B.'s Thunder. It is no surprise that juveniles are featured right away, with the Schuylerville (G3) for juvenile fillies on Opening Day and then the Sanford (G2) for the males 2 days later. These serve as preps for the closing weekend features, the Spinaway (G1) for fillies on September 4, and the Hopeful (G1) for males on Labor Day. It is worth noting, however, that only 2 Kentucky Derby winners in the last 19 years raced there as juveniles - Big Brown in 2008 and Sea Hero in 1994.
The Triple Crown wars of the spring continue into the summer. Refugees from the grueling Derby, Preakness, and/or Belmont show up in the Jim Dandy (G2) at July 30, the major local prep for the Midsummer Derby, the Travers Stakes (G1) on August 27. For the 3-year-old fillies, opening Saturday features the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), which leads to the Alabama (G1) on August 20. The best older horses of the east coast, prepping for the Breeders' Cup Classic and hopefully Horse of the Year honors, contest the Whitney Handicap (G1) on August 6 and the Woodward (G1) on September 3. Top older fillies and mares go in the Ruffian Handicap (G1) on July 31 and the Personal Ensign (G1) on August 28, the local preps for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic.
Inside the main 1 1/8 mile dirt oval are two turf courses, the 1 mile Mellon course and the 7 furlong inner course, which is also used for hurdle events. The highlight turf event of the meet is the Sword Dancer Invitational (G1) on August 13 for older horses at 1 1/2 miles, although this race is often overshadowed by the Arlington Million held the same day in Chicago. Top turf females go in the Diana Stakes (G1) on July 30 and possibly the Glens Falls (G3) on closing day, as preps for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. The top steeplechase race is the New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap (G1) on August 25, at 2 3/8 miles.
With such a lucrative stakes program, top jockeys from across the country want to set up shop here. Last year's leading rider John Velazquez will be back, along with 2010 Eclipse Award winner Ramon Dominguez, Javier Castellano, Eddie Castro, David Cohen, Jose Espinoza, Alan Garcia, Channing Hill, Jose Lezcano, Mike Luzzi, Rajiv Maragh, Edgar Prado, Jaime Rodriguez, Alex Solis, Maylan Studart, and Cornelio Velasquez. In from Kentucky include Julien Leparoux, Kent Desormeaux, Miguel Mena, Jesus Castanon, Robby Albarado and Frederic Lenclud, as well as Corey Nakatani, long a fixture in California, who will move east from his present base in Chicago.
There are many traditions associated with Saratoga, not the least of which is the annual hat contest celebrating its 20th renewal on Sunday July 24. Contestants compete for trophies in three categories, Uniquely Saratoga, Fashionable Saratoga, and Kreative Kids for 18-and-unders. The Hall of Fame induction takes place on August 12 at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavillion and is open to the public, with celebrity chef and racehorse owner Bobby Flay delivering the keynote address. The Travers Celebration "Moonlight over Saratoga", a cocktail reception to raise funds for the Backstretch Employees Service Team and Times Union Hope Fund will be held on August 25. The canoe in the infield will be painted with the colors of the Travers Stakes winner. And for many race fans, Saratoga is a synonym for "spinner", those who spin the turnstiles many times in order to take home more of the giveaways. This year, baseball caps are on July 31, T-shirts on August 14, sports bags on August 21, and long sleeved T-shirts on September 4. Unfortunately the jockey bobblehead giveaway, which had been a fixture for a number of years, is not back.
