Mike Watchmaker

There are so many things that Saratoga gets right. But as the end of the meet rapidly approaches, one of the things I find particularly special about Saratoga is the way it says goodbye. For many, myself included, the conclusion of Saratoga is bittersweet. Beyond the best race meet in this country in an unparalleled setting coming to a close, it marks the end of summer, and all the great things that goes along with it. And it will be a long time, almost a year, before the next Saratoga meet comes around, which is a not-so-subtle reminder that none of us are getting any younger.

Saturday’s Travers at Saratoga doesn’t look nearly as sexy as it did the Monday morning after Paynter dominated the Haskell because, of course, Paynter won’t be running due to illness. And this Travers has a lot of work to do to match what transpired at Saratoga this past Saturday, which, thanks to Questing and Point of Entry, was one of those unforgettable days Saratoga has long been known for. But this is the Travers we are talking about, a truly great race that is still worthy of our time and attention.

Although Fort Larned, the great Allen Jerkens, and Include Me Out all deserve the spotlight for their weekend exploits – Fort Larned was clearly the best in the Whitney, Jerkens continued his Onion-like work with Emma’s Encore, getting her to win he Prioress, and Include Me Out added to what is becoming an imposing resume winning the Clement L. Hirsch – I want to talk 2-year-olds.

It seems a bit funny now, but it was only a couple of weeks ago, right after the retirement of Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags and the announcement that a minor illness forced Bodemeister to miss training at a crucial time, when there was much anguished handwringing over how terrible this year’s Travers was going to be. It’s amazing how quickly perceptions can change.

For a lot of racing fans across the country, for many east of Kentucky, and for almost every fan in the Northeast, Friday is one of the biggest racing days of the year. Friday is opening day at Saratoga.