Saratoga 2023

Thursday, Jul 13, 2023

Saratoga 2023 Stakes Schedule

Date Race / Distance Winner / Beyer    
Thursday, Jul 13, 2023
Schuylerville 6 Furlongs
Winner: Becky's Joker
Beyer: 75
Becky's Joker 75 Race Recap View Chart
Becky's Joker 75
Friday, Jul 14, 2023
Coronation Cup 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Unified Alliance
Beyer: 75
Unified Alliance 75 Race Recap View Chart
Unified Alliance 75
Friday, Jul 14, 2023
Wilton 1 Mile
Winner: Randomized
Beyer: 97
Randomized 97 Race Recap View Chart
Randomized 97
Saturday, Jul 15, 2023
Diana 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: Whitebeam
Beyer: 100
Whitebeam 100 Race Recap View Chart
Whitebeam 100
Saturday, Jul 15, 2023
Kelso 1 Mile
Winner: Casa Creed
Beyer: 100
Casa Creed 100 Race Recap View Chart
Casa Creed 100
Saturday, Jul 15, 2023
Sanford 6 Furlongs
Winner: Yo Yo Candy
Beyer: 71
Yo Yo Candy 71 Race Recap View Chart
Yo Yo Candy 71
Sunday, Jul 16, 2023
Quick Call 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Uncashed
Beyer: 96
Uncashed 96 Race Recap View Chart
Uncashed 96
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023
A. P. Smithwick Memorial 2 1/16
Winner: Belfast Banter
Belfast Banter Race Recap View Chart
Belfast Banter
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023
NYSSS Statue of Liberty
Winner: Orange Freeze
Beyer: 73
Orange Freeze 73 Race Recap View Chart
Orange Freeze 73
Thursday, Jul 20, 2023
NYSSS Cab Calloway 1 Mile
Winner: Itsallcomintogetha
Beyer: 86
Itsallcomintogetha 86 Race Recap View Chart
Itsallcomintogetha 86
Friday, Jul 21, 2023
Curlin 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: Scotland
Beyer: 99
Scotland 99 Race Recap View Chart
Scotland 99
Friday, Jul 21, 2023
Lake George 1 Mile
Winner: Surge Capacity
Beyer: 88
Surge Capacity 88 Race Recap View Chart
Surge Capacity 88
Saturday, Jul 22, 2023
Caress 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Roses for Debra
Beyer: 99
Roses for Debra 99 Race Recap View Chart
Roses for Debra 99
Saturday, Jul 22, 2023
Coaching Club American Oaks 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: Wet Paint
Beyer: 89
Wet Paint 89 Race Recap View Chart
Wet Paint 89
Sunday, Jul 23, 2023
Shuvee 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: Nest
Beyer: 94
Nest 94 Race Recap View Chart
Nest 94
Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023
Honorable Miss Handicap 6 Furlongs
Winner: Echo Zulu
Beyer: 112
Echo Zulu 112 Race Recap View Chart
Echo Zulu 112
Thursday, Jul 27, 2023
Birdstone 1 3/4 Miles
Winner: Next
Beyer: 105
Next 105 Race Recap View Chart
Next 105
Friday, Jul 28, 2023
Amsterdam 6 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: New York Thunder
Beyer: 110
New York Thunder 110 Race Recap View Chart
New York Thunder 110
Saturday, Jul 29, 2023
Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap 6 Furlongs
Winner: Elite Power
Beyer: 108
Elite Power 108 Race Recap View Chart
Elite Power 108
Saturday, Jul 29, 2023
Jim Dandy 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: Forte
Beyer: 105
Forte 105 Race Recap View Chart
Forte 105
Sunday, Jul 30, 2023
Bowling Green 1 3/8 Miles
Winner: Channel Maker
Beyer: 99
Channel Maker 99 Race Recap View Chart
Channel Maker 99
Wednesday, Aug 2, 2023
De La Rose 1 Mile
Winner: Technical Analysis
Beyer: 98
Technical Analysis 98 Race Recap View Chart
Technical Analysis 98
Thursday, Aug 3, 2023
Glens Falls 1 1/2 Miles
Winner: Mckulick
Beyer: 95
Mckulick 95 Race Recap View Chart
Mckulick 95
Friday, Aug 4, 2023
Saratoga Oaks Invitational 1 3/16 Miles
Winner: Elusive Princess
Beyer: 96
Elusive Princess 96 Race Recap View Chart
Elusive Princess 96
Saturday, Aug 5, 2023
Lure 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Smokin' T
Beyer: 96
Smokin' T 96 Race Recap View Chart
Smokin' T 96
Saturday, Aug 5, 2023
Test 7 Furlongs
Winner: Pretty Mischievous
Beyer: 87
Pretty Mischievous 87 Race Recap View Chart
Pretty Mischievous 87
Saturday, Aug 5, 2023
Troy Stakes 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Cogburn
Beyer: 100
Cogburn 100 Race Recap View Chart
Cogburn 100
Saturday, Aug 5, 2023
Whitney 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: White Abarrio
Beyer: 110
White Abarrio 110 Race Recap View Chart
White Abarrio 110
Saturday, Aug 5, 2023
Saratoga Derby Invitational 1 3/16 Miles
Winner: Program Trading
Beyer: 95
Program Trading 95 Race Recap View Chart
Program Trading 95
Sunday, Aug 6, 2023
Adirondack 6 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Brightwork
Beyer: 89
Brightwork 89 Race Recap View Chart
Brightwork 89
Wednesday, Aug 9, 2023
Johnstone Mile 1 Mile
Winner: Venti Valentine
Beyer: 80
Venti Valentine 80 Race Recap View Chart
Venti Valentine 80
Friday, Aug 11, 2023
National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame 1 Mile
Winner: Carl Spackler
Beyer: 97
Carl Spackler 97 Race Recap View Chart
Carl Spackler 97
Friday, Aug 11, 2023
Evan Shipman Handicap 1 Mile
Winner: Dr Ardito
Beyer: 95
Dr Ardito 95 Race Recap View Chart
Dr Ardito 95
Friday, Aug 11, 2023
Union Avenue Handicap 6 Furlongs
Winner: Grannys Connection
Beyer: 87
Grannys Connection 87 Race Recap View Chart
Grannys Connection 87
Saturday, Aug 12, 2023
Fourstardave Handicap 1 Mile
Winner: Casa Creed
Beyer: 101
Casa Creed 101 Race Recap View Chart
Casa Creed 101
Saturday, Aug 12, 2023
Saratoga Special 6 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Rhyme Schemes
Beyer: 86
Rhyme Schemes 86 Race Recap View Chart
Rhyme Schemes 86
Saturday, Aug 12, 2023
Galway 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: L J's Emma
Beyer: 92
L J's Emma 92 Race Recap View Chart
L J's Emma 92
Sunday, Aug 13, 2023
Mahony 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Closethegame Sugar
Beyer: 85
Closethegame Sugar 85 Race Recap View Chart
Closethegame Sugar 85
Wednesday, Aug 16, 2023
Suzie O'Cain 1 1/16 Miles (T)
Winner: Silver Skillet
Beyer: 79
Silver Skillet 79 Race Recap View Chart
Silver Skillet 79
Thursday, Aug 17, 2023
Rick Violette 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Ramblin' Wreck
Beyer: 87
Ramblin' Wreck 87 Race Recap View Chart
Ramblin' Wreck 87
Friday, Aug 18, 2023
Skidmore 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Ship Cadet
Beyer: 69
Ship Cadet 69 Race Recap View Chart
Ship Cadet 69
Saturday, Aug 19, 2023
Alabama 1 1/4 Miles
Winner: Randomized
Beyer: 98
Randomized 98 Race Recap View Chart
Randomized 98
Saturday, Aug 19, 2023
Lake Placid 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Aspray
Beyer: 92
Aspray 92 Race Recap View Chart
Aspray 92
Sunday, Aug 20, 2023
Bolton Landing 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Amidst Waves
Beyer: 70
Amidst Waves 70 Race Recap View Chart
Amidst Waves 70
Wednesday, Aug 23, 2023
John's Call 1 5/8 Miles
Winner: Tawny Port
Beyer: 95
Tawny Port 95 Race Recap View Chart
Tawny Port 95
Wednesday, Aug 23, 2023
Jonathan Sheppard 2 3/8 Miles
Winner: Awakened
Awakened Race Recap View Chart
Awakened
Thursday, Aug 24, 2023
Ballston Spa 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Evvie Jets
Beyer: 90
Evvie Jets 90 Race Recap View Chart
Evvie Jets 90
Friday, Aug 25, 2023
Personal Ensign 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: Idiomatic
Beyer: 101
Idiomatic 101 Race Recap View Chart
Idiomatic 101
Friday, Aug 25, 2023
Smart N Fancy 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Roses for Debra
Beyer: 102
Roses for Debra 102 Race Recap View Chart
Roses for Debra 102
Saturday, Aug 26, 2023
Ballerina 7 Furlongs
Winner: Echo Zulu
Beyer: 112
Echo Zulu 112 Race Recap View Chart
Echo Zulu 112
Saturday, Aug 26, 2023
Forego 7 Furlongs
Winner: Gunite
Beyer: 101
Gunite 101 Race Recap View Chart
Gunite 101
Saturday, Aug 26, 2023
H. Allen Jerkens Memorial 7 Furlongs
Winner: One in Vermillion
Beyer: 100
One in Vermillion 100 Race Recap View Chart
One in Vermillion 100
Saturday, Aug 26, 2023
Sword Dancer 1 1/2 Miles
Winner: Bolshoi Ballet
Beyer: 107
Bolshoi Ballet 107 Race Recap View Chart
Bolshoi Ballet 107
Saturday, Aug 26, 2023
Travers 1 1/4 Miles
Winner: Arcangelo
Beyer: 105
Arcangelo 105 Race Recap View Chart
Arcangelo 105
Sunday, Aug 27, 2023
Albany 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: Drake's Passage
Beyer: 90
Drake's Passage 90 Race Recap View Chart
Drake's Passage 90
Sunday, Aug 27, 2023
Fleet Indian 1 1/8 Miles
Winner: Ichiban
Beyer: 74
Ichiban 74 Race Recap View Chart
Ichiban 74
Sunday, Aug 27, 2023
Funny Cide 6 Furlongs
Winner: The Wine Steward
Beyer: 86
The Wine Steward 86 Race Recap View Chart
The Wine Steward 86
Sunday, Aug 27, 2023
Seeking the Ante 6 Furlongs
Winner: Caldwell Luvs Gold
Beyer: 80
Caldwell Luvs Gold 80 Race Recap View Chart
Caldwell Luvs Gold 80
Sunday, Aug 27, 2023
West Point 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: City Man
Beyer: 97
City Man 97 Race Recap View Chart
City Man 97
Sunday, Aug 27, 2023
Yaddo Handicap 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: New Ginya
Beyer: 89
New Ginya 89 Race Recap View Chart
New Ginya 89
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2023
P. G. Johnson 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Magic Cross
Beyer: 58
Magic Cross 58 Race Recap View Chart
Magic Cross 58
Thursday, Aug 31, 2023
With Anticipation 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Gala Brand
Beyer: 71
Gala Brand 71 Race Recap View Chart
Gala Brand 71
Friday, Sep 1, 2023
Saranac 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Carl Spackler
Beyer: 92
Carl Spackler 92 Race Recap View Chart
Carl Spackler 92
Saturday, Sep 2, 2023
Flower Bowl 1 3/8 Miles
Winner: Parnac
Beyer: 90
Parnac 90 Race Recap View Chart
Parnac 90
Saturday, Sep 2, 2023
Harvey Pack 5 1/2 Furlongs
Winner: Thin White Duke
Beyer: 96
Thin White Duke 96 Race Recap View Chart
Thin White Duke 96
Saturday, Sep 2, 2023
Jockey Club Gold Cup 1 1/4 Miles
Winner: Bright Future
Beyer: 103
Bright Future 103 Race Recap View Chart
Bright Future 103
Saturday, Sep 2, 2023
Prioress 6 Furlongs
Winner: Alva Starr
Beyer: 98
Alva Starr 98 Race Recap View Chart
Alva Starr 98
Sunday, Sep 3, 2023
Spinaway 7 Furlongs
Winner: Brightwork
Beyer: 84
Brightwork 84 Race Recap View Chart
Brightwork 84
Monday, Sep 4, 2023
Bernard Baruch Handicap 1 1/16 Miles
Winner: Pioneering Spirit
Beyer: 100
Pioneering Spirit 100 Race Recap
Pioneering Spirit 100
Monday, Sep 4, 2023
Hopeful 7 Furlongs
Winner: Nutella Fella
Beyer: 72
Nutella Fella 72 Race Recap
Nutella Fella 72

Saratoga News

Timberlake heads deep field in Hopeful Stakes; Muth scratched

David Grening Sep 02,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There are two key changes to Monday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful Stakes, the closing-day feature at Saratoga. First, morning-line favorite Muth has been scratched from t

Wit reboots in Bernard Baruch Stakes after seven-month layoff

David Grening Sep 02,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – On the day the Saratoga meet comes to an end, Wit will be looking to begin his career anew when he returns from a seven-month-plus layoff in the $150,000 Bernard Baruch Stak

Hopeful entrant Valentine Candy's maiden Beyer Figure upgraded to 85

Andrew Beyer Sep 03,2023
Making the Beyer Speed Figures, as most readers surely understand, is not an exact science. Sometimes we will encounter ambiguous circumstances on a day’s card, resolve them a week or two later, and

Brightwork holds off Ways and Means, notches fourth consecutive win with Spinaway

David Grening Sep 03,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - She’s never been favored, but more importantly, Brightwork has never been beaten. On Sunday, Brightwork improved her record to 4 for 4 by turning back a challenge from an

Bright Future shines in Jockey Club Gold Cup

David Grening Sep 02,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The jumbled older male dirt division welcomed another member to the club Saturday at Saratoga when Bright Future held off Proxy by a nose to win the Grade 1, $1 million

Disarm, runner-up in Travers, will not race again in 2023

David Grening Sep 02,2023
SARATOG SPRINGS, N.Y. - Disarm, runner-up to Arcangelo in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers here on Aug. 26, will not race again this year, trainer Steve Asmussen said Saturday. “Just came out o

Parnac leads the whole way to steal Flower Bowl

David Grening Sep 02,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — It’s not often a trainer can thank the track president for winning a Grade 2 stakes race. Such was the case Saturday at Saratoga after Parnac went gate to wire und

Alva Starr shoots away from rivals to take Prioress

David Grening Sep 02,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — For the second time in three years, trainer Brent Brinkman won the Grade 2 Prioress Stakes at Saratoga. Only this year, he got credit for the win. In 2021, Brinkm

McKulick heavy favorite in four-horse Flower Bowl

Mike Welsch Aug 31,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – With her much anticipated rematch with War Like Goddess failing to materialize after the latter missed some training time due to a minor illness, McKulick appears to be a st

Dazzling Blue meets other speed in five-horse Prioress

David Grening Aug 31,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Dazzling Blue didn’t win her first try in a graded stakes, but her performance in the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes on July 8 at Belmont Park made trainer Brad Cox excited t

Big Invasion hopes to get back on track in Harvey Pack Stakes

David Grening Aug 31,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Big Invasion has not accomplished at 4 all he did at age 3. There’s still time. Back from a fruitless trip to Royal Ascot in June, Big Invasion looks to get back to his

A lot riding on Faiza in Torrey Pines

Brad Free Aug 31,2023
Once beaten and always favored, Faiza is expected to begin a new win streak Saturday in the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes at Del Mar. Although the dirt mile is restricted to 3-year-old fillies, and t

Annapolis looking for big payday in Mint Millions

Marcus Hersh Aug 31,2023
Annapolis is a small city in Maryland, but the 4-year-old colt named after the place was bred in Kentucky, and that could be worth a pretty penny. Annapolis is one of a dozen entered in the one-mil

Brown duo possible for Violet Stakes

Marcus Hersh Aug 31,2023
It’s a filly-mare turf stakes race on the East Coast, so be sure trainer Chad Brown, who dominates the division, has entries for the $100,000 Violet Stakes on Saturday at Monmouth Park. As of late T

Proxy tries to punch ticket to BC Classic in Jockey Club Gold Cup

David Grening Aug 30,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – With Cody’s Wish having proven he’s better shorter than longer, Godolphin’s primary U.S.-based candidate for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic is Proxy, who will

Parnac cleared to race in N.Y., entered in Flower Bowl

David Grening Aug 30,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Parnac, one of two horses scratched by the New York Racing Association out of an Aug. 11 allowance race, has been cleared to run in New York and was entered Wednesday by tra

White Abarrio will head west on Sept. 12 to prepare for BC Classic

David Grening Aug 30,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – White Abarrio, dominant winner of the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug. 5, will ship to Southern California on Sept. 12 to prepare for a start in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classi

Saranac fills hole in Carl Spackler's schedule; $111,629 pick six carryover

Mike Welsch Aug 30,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – If anyone has seen just about enough rain during this year’s Saratoga meeting it’s trainer Chad Brown, whose stable is loaded from top to bottom with talented turf horse

Bolshoi Ballet to use Joe Hirsch Turf Classic as bridge to Breeders' Cup Turf

David Grening Aug 28,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Ireland-based Bolshoi Ballet has recorded his last two victories in the U.S, albeit two years apart. He is expected to make another cross-Atlantic trip next month for th

Arcangelo validated himself and training process with Travers victory, Antonucci says

David Grening Aug 27,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Validation was the sentiment top of mind Sunday from the connections of Arcangelo, who proved he wasn’t a one-hit wonder in the Belmont Stakes by capturing his second Grade

Trainer Martinez finds it difficult to celebrate One In Vermillion's Allen Jerkens triumph

Mike Welsch Aug 27,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Like trainer Brendan Walsh here three weeks ago, following Pretty Mischievous's victory in the Grade 1 Test, his counterpart Esteben Martinez found it difficult to celebrate a

City Man has little trouble with West Point

Matt Hegarty Aug 27,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – City Man punched the clock, put his head down, and got the job done. Again. A 6-year-old son of Mucho Macho Man, City Man ran his record to 11 wins in 30 starts by making

Ichiban breezes in Fleet Indian for first stakes triumph

David Grening Aug 27,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Ichiban came to Saratoga a maiden. She will leave a stakes winner, as she easily captured Sunday’s $186,000 Fleet Indian Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies by 5 1/4

Arcangelo takes command with Travers Stakes triumph

David Grening Aug 26,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - On another difficult day for the racing industry, Arcangelo and his trainer Jena Antonucci continued to give the sport a lift as they added Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million

Bolshoi Ballet sweeps to easy win in Sword Dancer

Matt Hegarty Aug 26,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – John Velazquez weighed out after the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Stakes, handed his helmet to a valet, put on a cap with a sponsor logo, and heard a kid on the rail shout his name.

Gunite turns the tables on Elite Power in Forego

Mike Welsch Aug 26,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — In a rivalry that will likely be renewed one more time this year at Santa Anita, on Breeders’ Cup day, Gunite avenged his two earlier losses this season to Elite Powe

Echo Zulu outduels Goodnight Olive in Ballerina Handicap

Mike Welsch Aug 26,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - After defeating the 2022 male sprint champion Elite Power with Gunite in the Grade 1 Forego, what could trainer Steve Asmussen and his team do for an encore?  Only come b

One in Vermillion wins Jerkens after New York Thunder's fatal injury

David Grening Aug 26,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — In a shocking, stomach-turning replay of what happened here three weeks ago, a Grade 1 stakes at Saratoga was decided after a horse, seemingly on its way to victory suf

Idiomatic, Secret Oath, Nest likely to meet again in Spinster

David Grening Aug 26,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Idiomatic, Secret Oath, and Nest – the top three finishers from Friday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga, are likely to meet again in the

Idiomatic splashes home to front-running score in Personal Ensign

David Grening Aug 25,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Though she had won four of her last five starts, including two graded stakes, Idiomatic had yet to tangle with the upper echelon of the older female dirt division. F

Roses for Debra scores in Smart N Fancy for new part-owner

David Grening Aug 25,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Everett Dobson had been hanging around the Christophe Clement barn a lot this summer and was drawn to a gray filly who he watched train on many mornings. Impressed by Rose

War Like Goddess to miss Flower Bowl

David Grening Aug 25,2023
War Like Goddess, the eight-time graded stakes winning mare, will miss the Grade 2, $500,000 Flower Bowl Stakes next Saturday after missing some time due to a fever. Trainer Bill Mott said War Like

Nostalgic possible for Beldame

David Grening Aug 25,2023
Nostalgic, winner of a third-level allowance race here Aug. 15, will be considered for the Grade 2, $250,000 Beldame Stakes at Aqueduct on Oct. 8, trainer Bill Mott said Friday. Nostalgic, who won

Evvie Jets eyeing Grade 1 company

David Grening Aug 25,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Evvie Jets, upset winner of Thursday’s Grade 2 Ballston Spa Stakes at Saratoga, may step into Grade 1 company next in the Grade 1, $750,000 First Lady Stakes at Keene

Outstanding Travers matches a champ vs. three Triple Crown race winners

David Grening Aug 24,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The two occasions in the last 40 years that the Travers Stakes brought together the three separate winners of the Triple Crown races, none of those horses won. In 1982, Runa

Channel Maker makes sixth and final appearance in Sword Dancer

Matt Hegarty Aug 24,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The stalwart turf distance specialist Channel Maker will make his sixth start in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga. Could he be saving his best for las

Echo Zulu, Goodnight Olive set to clash again in Ballerina battle

David Grening Aug 24,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A matchup of two Eclipse Award winners with nearly identical records is in the offing in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap for female sprinters at Saratoga.

Gunite takes another crack at Elite Power in Forego

David Grening Aug 24,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – In midstretch of last month’s Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes, Gunite looked as though he was going to avenge his loss to Elite Power earlier in the year in Saudi Arab

Unbeaten New York Thunder faces stern test against Baffert duo in Allen Jerkens Memorial

Mike Welsch Aug 24,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – In July of 2019, the unbeaten Shancelot shipped to Saratoga from his summer home at Monmouth Park and won the Grade 2 Amsterdam by 12 1/2 lengths while registering a mind-bo

Clement likes what he sees in Albany starter Drake's Passage

David Grening Aug 25,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Tonalist will go down as one of the best horses Christophe Clement trained. He won the 2014 Belmont Stakes in his fifth career start and would go on to win back-to-back runn

The Wine Steward, Caldwell Luvs Gold top respective juvenile stakes

Mike Welsch Aug 25,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After defeating open stakes company, and doing so impressively, last month at Ellis Park, The Wine Steward figures to be heavily favored when returning against statebreds in

Evvie Jets rallies for upset in Ballston Spa Stakes

David Grening Aug 24,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Evvie Jets has made a habit of pulling surprises in stakes races on this circuit. Typically, it’s when she’s been allowed to get away with easy fractions on the front en

Tawny Port ups his game as turf marathoner with strong John's Call victory

Mike Welsch Aug 23,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - After making his first 12 starts on dirt, Tawny Port has apparently found his true niche racing around three turns on the turf. He lent credence to that theory Wednesday by dr

Arrogate's dominant Travers leaves big shoes for Arcangelo to fill

David Grening Aug 23,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The presence of Arcangelo in Saturday’s 154th Travers Stakes at Saratoga elicits memories of his sire, Arrogate, and what he did in this same race seven years ago. An u

Antonucci thinks layoff will suit Arcangelo just fine in Travers

David Grening Aug 22,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- When Forte ran in the Belmont Stakes off a 10-week layoff, it was hardly by design. The 2-year-old champion of 2022 was forced to miss the Kentucky Derby and Preakness due to

Travers matches Forte against winners of the three Triple Crown races

David Grening Aug 21,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A bruised foot kept Forte out of the Kentucky Derby and subsequently the Preakness. While he made it to the Belmont Stakes, it was asking a lot to win that 1 1/2-mile classi

Travers: Saez pumped to get second chance aboard Mage

David Grening Aug 21,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – To hear Luis Saez tell it, he was supposed to be on the lead when he rode Mage in the Grade 1 Florida Derby five months ago. Instead, Mage broke slow and was last going i

Weaver has anxious moments as Amidst Waves noses Crown Imperial

Mike Welsch Aug 20,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.  - After losing an apparent victory here just three days earlier following the controversial disqualification of Let’s Go Big Blue in the Rick Violette Stakes, one could

Randomized goes gate to wire in Alabama victory

David Grening Aug 19,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Trainer Chad Brown thought enough of Randomized to move her up from a maiden victory in March to the Grade 1 Acorn in June. While that didn’t work out — Ran

Brown rules Lake Placid again behind Aspray's impressive rally

Mike Welsch Aug 19,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Chad Brown continued his dominance of the $200,000, Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, winning the turf event for 3-year-old fillies for the fifth tim

Tapit Trice to wear blinkers in Travers Stakes

David Grening Aug 19,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Todd Pletcher still believes Tapit Trice, at his best, can compete with the elite of the 3-year-old division. In his attempt to bring out the best in Tapit Trice fo

Nest works half-mile for Personal Ensign

David Grening Aug 19,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Nest, the 2022 champion 3-year-old who won the Shuvee Stakes in her 4-year-old debut, worked a half-mile in 48.59 seconds Saturday morning over the Saratoga main track in prep

Stone Age likely to end layoff with Sword Dancer

David Grening Aug 20,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Stone Age, the runner-up in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf when trained by Aidan O’Brien, had his fifth workout Sunday for trainer Chad Brown, who is likely to bring him

Ship Cadet motors through the mud in off-the-turf Skidmore Stakes

David Grening Aug 18,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - When rain forced Friday’s five scheduled turf races at Saratoga to the main track, there was some debate among the principles of Ship Cadet whether to scratch or run in the

Asmussen giving up Belmont barn, will not have year-round presence in N.Y.

David Grening Aug 18,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, a mainstay on the New York Racing Association circuit for the last two decades, will no longer maintain a year-round presence in the state

Reincarnate to skip Travers, will start in Pennsylvania Derby instead

David Grening Aug 18,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Reincarnate, mentioned as likely starter for the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes here Aug. 26, will skip that race and instead point for the Grade 1, $1 million Penn

Ramblin' Wreck placed first in Rick Violette Stakes after dropping nose decision

Mike Welsch Aug 17,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Thursday’s $125,000 Rick Violette Stakes  at Saratoga ended on the racetrack with Let’s Go Big Blue narrowly holding off 4-5 favorite Ramblin’ Wreck by a nose in a

Silver Skillet saves her best for last in Suzie O'Cain Stakes

David Grening Aug 16,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Silver Skillet had already shown herself a better horse on turf than dirt. Wednesday, she showed a new dimension that could make her an above average turf horse in the future.

Arcangelo turns in final workout for Travers

David Grening Aug 16,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Arcangelo on Wednesday had his fifth and final workout in between his Belmont Stakes victory on June 10 and the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 26, breezing fi

Sacred Wish takes another crack at Wet Paint in 10-horse Alabama

David Grening Aug 16,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After just missing pulling off a 10-1 upset in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks here on July 22, Sacred Wish will come back for another upset bid when she meets Wet P

Brown enters four in Lake Placid

David Grening Aug 16,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Surge Capacity and Tax Implications, who ran one-two in the Grade 3 Lake George here on July 31, along with Aspray and Prerequisite give trainer Chad Brown four of the eight

Disarm works in blinkers, will wear them in Travers

David Grening Aug 14,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Disarm, fourth in the Kentucky Derby and in the Jim Dandy Stakes most recently, will be equipped with blinkers when he runs in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 26,

McPeek goes for third Alabama win since 2018

David Grening Aug 14,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kenny McPeek will seek his third victory in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes in six years when he sends out Defining Purpose in Saturday’s $600,000 race for 3-year-old f

Next Casa Creed vs. Annapolis showdown? Maybe Breeders' Cup Mile

David Grening Aug 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - If Casa Creed and Annapolis meet for a third time this year, it won’t happen until the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 4. Casa Creed, who defeated

Saratoga Special victor Rhyme Schemes will point to Hopeful next

Mike Welsch Aug 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Rhyme Schemes, clearly the most exciting 2-year-old on the East Coast at this point of the season, came out of his one-sided and explosive victory in Saturday’s Saratoga Spe

Another Rice rules the day as Closethegame Sugar ($41) rallies in Mahony Stakes

Mike Welsch Aug 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - If it’s not one Rice in the spotlight this summer at Saratoga, it’s another. Linda Rice led all trainers in victories during the early portion of the meet and is curren

Deterministic impresses in debut

David Grening Aug 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The 2-year-old colt Deterministic made an eye-catching debut Saturday, overcoming a slow start and a wide trip to win a seven-furlong dirt maiden race by a half-length over Hu

Casa Creed continues Saratoga dominance, repeats in Fourstardave

David Grening Aug 12,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Trainer Bill Mott knew the connections of Annapolis were going to try and get the jump on his 7-year-old Casa Creed in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handi

Rhyme Schemes brushes off trouble at gate, takes Saratoga Special

Mike Welsch Aug 12,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Rhyme Schemes proved he was more than a one-hit wonder, and did so with a flourish, by duplicating his one-sided and well-graded maiden victory with a similarly explosive 9 1/

L J's Emma continues strong turf form, upsets Galway

David Grening Aug 12,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — A dud on dirt, L J’s Emma has found herself a niche as a turf sprinter. Saturday, she ran her winning streak to three on the grass, running by pacesetting Stone Silen

Carl Spackler uses late surge to take Hall of Fame

Mike Welsch Aug 11,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Carl Spackler, who hinted at greatness when launching his career this winter in Florida, finally got his breakthrough moment Friday at Saratoga, exploding from off the pace

Brown caps big day with Dr Ardito score in Shipman

David Grening Aug 11,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — As he crossed the finish line aboard Dr Ardito, after having passed the last of four rivals in the $121,250 Evan Shipman Stakes at Saratoga, jockey Manny Franco stood u

Grannys Connection avenges loss with Union Ave. victory

Mike Welsch Aug 11,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Grannys Connection avenged the only blemish on her record this season and did so fairly convincingly, turning the tables on Kant Hurry Love with a 1 1/2-length victory in Fri

Mage turns in strong six-furlong work for Travers

David Grening Aug 11,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Kentucky Derby winner Mage turned in a strong six-furlong workout Friday morning over Saratoga’s main track as he continues his preparation for a start in the Grade 1, $1.

Angel of Empire off for remainder of the year, will return in 2024

David Grening Aug 11,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Angel of Empire, the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner who finished third as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, will get the remainder of the year off and point to a 4-year-old

NYRA scratches two horses coming out of Robert Dick at Delaware

David Grening Aug 11,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Two horses were ordered scratched from Saratoga’s third race Friday because they last started in the Grade 3, $250,300 Robert G. Dick Memorial, a turf stakes at Delaware Pa

Asmussen reaches settlement with U.S. Department of Labor on employment violations

Matt Hegarty Aug 11,2023
Trainer Steve Asmussen has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor to reimburse his hotwalkers and grooms $130,000, the fourth time that the trainer has been cited by federal and state

Pletcher works Forte, Tapit Trice in company for Travers

David Grening Aug 10,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Stablemates Forte and Tapit Trice worked a half-mile together Thursday morning in 48.61 seconds over Saratoga’s main track as both prepare for a start in the Grade 1, $1.25

Venti Valentine scores mild upset in Johnstone Mile

Mike Welsch Aug 09,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Nobody was more anxious when the power went out midway through Wednesday’s program at Saratoga than trainer Jorge Abreu, who had two very important horses to run

Power outage cancels Saratoga race

David Grening Aug 09,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — A power outage as the result of a downed tree limb not far from the track forced the cancellation of Wednesday’s fifth race at Saratoga, continuin

Arcangelo looks sharp in five-furlong work for Travers

David Grening Aug 06,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Less than three weeks out from his engagement in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes here on Aug. 26, Arcangelo put in his most serious move for the race Sunday morning,

Brightwork runs away with Adirondack Stakes

David Grening Aug 06,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Following a maiden victory by Brightwork at Keeneland in April, trainer John Ortiz made a plan for the 2-year-old filly by targeting Sunday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Adirondack St

Saratoga moves last three scheduled Sunday turf races to dirt

David Grening Aug 06,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Due to concerns expressed by jockeys about the conditions of the Saratoga turf courses, the New York Racing Association moved the last three scheduled turf races of Sunday’s

White Abarrio will arrive early at Santa Anita for Breeders’ Cup Classic

David Grening Aug 06,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - White Abarrio’s dominant victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney Stakes earned him an expense-paid trip to the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November, and trainer Rick Dutrow s

'She just loved to run,' Giddings says of Maple Leaf Mel

David Grening Aug 06,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Melanie Giddings stood at the end of Barn 69, her face awash in sadness, as she stared down the shed row. The two horses closest to her, both grays, had their heads sticking o

Cody's Wish expected to handle Whitney distance

David Grening Aug 03,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The question being asked of Cody’s Wish in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes is one trainer Bill Mott thought would have been answered long ago. So confid

Pretty Mischievous, Dorth Vader set to meet for third time in Test

Mike Welsch Aug 03,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After chasing Pretty Mischievous to the wire in both their previous meetings, trainer George Weaver is hoping the third time will be the charm for Dorth Vader when the two 3

Rice could still face penalties from New York Gaming Commission

David Grening Aug 03,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Though she no longer faces a license revocation, trainer Linda Rice could still face some penalty from the New York State Gaming Commission for the case involving her having

Webslinger goes for another throwdown with Far Bridge in Saratoga Derby

David Grening Aug 03,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Far Bridge and Webslinger have traded decisions in their two meetings this year. Saturday, they meet again as part of a nine-horse field that includes a filly in the Grade 1

Technical Analysis shows her class in front-running De La Rose score

Mike Welsch Aug 02,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Take the class of the field coming off a much needed race returning to her favorite course and it all added up to a relatively easy and impressive 3 1/2-length victory for the

Charge It gets another chance to join the elite in Whitney

David Grening Aug 02,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When Charge It won the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes by 23 lengths last summer, there was a belief he could find his way into the mix for divisional honors in the 3-year-old division

Elusive Princess an interesting Euro invader in Oaks

David Grening Aug 02,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Elusive Princess has shown an extremely strong turn of foot in her last three starts – two at the Group 1 level in France – she just doesn’t have a win to show for it.

Channel Maker ($32.40) easy winner of Bowling Green Stakes

David Grening Jul 30,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Champions Week concluded Sunday at Saratoga when Channel Maker, the Eclipse Award-winning male turf horse of 2020, scored a two-length, front-running victory in Sunday’s Gra

Forte, Angel of Empire likely to meet again in Travers Stakes

David Grening Jul 30,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Forte and Angel of Empire emerged from their bumping battle in Saturday’s Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes unscathed and both are likely to be part of a good-sized field expected fo

Elite Power could target Forego Stakes next

Mike Welsch Jul 30,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - After celebrating his 70th birthday and Elite Power’s gritty victory in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt by hosting a party for a small gathering of family and close friends on Saturd

West Will Power, Smile Happy out of Whitney Stakes

David Grening Jul 30,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The field for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga was undergoing renovations Monday as two of the expected five starters are no longer pointing to the

Trainer Englehart gets 14-day suspension for bute violation in Victory Built

David Grening Jul 30,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Jeffrey Englehart will serve a 14-day suspension issued by the New York State Gaming Commission for an overage of the therapeutic medication Phenylbutazone discovered

Forte survives inquiry in Dandy, set for Travers run

David Grening Jul 29,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — It had been nearly four months since Forte last tasted victory in a horse race. The wait, for part-owner Mike Repole, was interminable. Even after Forte, in the fina

Mott gets special birthday gift as Elite Power takes Vanderbilt Stakes

Mike Welsch Jul 29,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Happy Birthday Bill Mott. The Hall of Fame trainer celebrated his 70th birthday in much the same manner he has celebrated so many others over the years: In the Saratoga win

Lone Rock, eight-times stakes winner, retired

David Grening Jul 29,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Lone Rock, an eight-time stakes-winning marathoner and earner of $1.4 million, has been retired from racing, his connections said Saturday morning. That decision was made t

Pretty Mischievous 'fit and ready to go' for Saturday's Test Stakes

David Grening Jul 29,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Brendan Walsh stood on the roof at Saratoga early Saturday morning to watch his top 3-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous put in her final work for next Saturday’s Gra

Drew's Gold battles streaking Ryvit in Amsterdam

David Grening Jul 26,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – As well as Drew’s Gold has run winning four of his five career starts, trainer and part-owner James Chapman expects his best performance to date when he sends him out in F

Skinner works for Travers try

Steve Andersen Jul 28,2023
Skinner, second in the Los Alamitos Derby July 8 in his first start in three months, worked five furlongs in 1:00 at Del Mar on Friday in preparation for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 26

Maple Leaf Mel sitting on ready for Test Stakes

David Grening Jul 28,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Maple Leaf Mel, the undefeated two-time graded stakes-winning New York-bred, completed preparations for next Saturday’s Grade 1 Test by working a half-mile in 49.22 second

General Jim back to turf for National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes

David Grening Jul 28,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – General Jim, a two-time graded stakes winner on dirt this year, will return to the turf in next Friday’s Grade 2, $500,000 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stake

Next pulls away at will in dominating Birdstone performance

Mike Welsch Jul 27,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Winning a race for the first time at Saratoga is a landmark moment every trainer covets. But few have achieved that milestone as impressively as Doug Cowans did on Thursday wh

Despite clunker and layoff, Rebel's Romance is Bowling Green favorite

David Grening Jul 28,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Rebel’s Romance can probably be forgiven for a disappointing performance in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic four months ago at Meydan. First of all, it was his first l

Echo Zulu leaves Honorable Miss rivals far behind; earns 112 Beyer

Mike Welsch Jul 26,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - When asked minutes after Echo Zulu dominated Wednesday’s $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap at Saratoga by 7 1/2 lengths while geared down at the end, trainer Steve Asmussen

With Forte ready for Jim Dandy, Repole ponders exit

David Grening Jul 26,2023
Six days after sending out one champion to victory in Saratoga, owner Mike Repole hopes to hit the replay button Saturday, when Forte heads a field of five entered Wednesday for Saturday’s Grade 2,

Arcangelo works for Travers, still no Castellano decision

Mike Welsch Jul 26,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – With Saturday’s Grade 2 Jim Dandy never under serious consideration, Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo continued preparations for his lone goal here this summer, the Grade 1

Nest spurts away from Clairiere in Shuvee Stakes

David Grening Jul 24,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Round One to Nest. In a matchup of two of the top older dirt females in training, Nest got the jump on Clairiere approaching the top of the stretched and sprinted home th

Wet Paint targets Alabama Stakes after taking Coaching Club American Oaks

David Grening Jul 23,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Since 2000, six fillies who won the Coaching Club American Oaks have come back to win the Alabama. Trainer Brad Cox hopes Wet Paint can join that group, which includes recent

Disarm works half-mile for Jim Dandy

David Grening Jul 23,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Extra Anejo’s fourth-place finish in Saturday’s Grade 1 Haskell leaves his connections somewhat perplexed on what next to do with the promising 3-year-old colt. Part of

Elite Power works half-mile for Vanderbilt showdown with Gunite

David Grening Jul 23,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Elite Power and Gunite each put in workouts Sunday morning at Saratoga as they gear up for a second of what could be several meetings this year in Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,0

Wet Paint takes CAA Oaks with last-to-first move, will head to the Alabama

David Grening Jul 22,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Blessed to own two of the top 3-year-old fillies in training, the team from Godolphin racing came up with a game plan that would hopefully end up with both horses winni

Roses for Debra takes Caress in first graded stakes try

Mike Welsch Jul 22,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Roses for Debra served notice that Caravel might not be the only gray filly to reckon with in the filly and mare turf sprint division during the second half of the season af

Surge Capacity gives Brown fifth straight Lake George victory

Mike Welsch Jul 21,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Chad Brown continued his dominance of the $175,000 Lake George Stakes at Saratoga with a flourish Friday, sending out Surge Capacity and Tax Implications to finish fir

Scotland goes gate-to-wire in two-turn test, will head to Travers

David Grening Jul 21,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Scotland passed his stakes and two-turn debut with high marks Friday at Saratoga, taking the $130,950 Curlin Stakes in front-running fashion by 3 1/4 lengths.

Mz Big Bucks center of attention in Statue of Liberty Stakes

Mike Welsch Jul 17,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mz Big Bucks has gotten little respect from the public, having gone postward at odds of 8-1 and 9-1 while winning her last two starts, including the Cupecoy’s Joy division

Belfast Banter suprises everyone but his connections with 16-1 A.P. Smithwick victory

David Grening Jul 19,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Belfast Banter had just finished a close third behind Welshman and Gordon’s Jet in the Grade 2 David Semmes Stakes in Virginia in May. In Wednesday’s Grade 1, $150,000 A.P

BC Turf runner-up Stone Age has first workout for Brown

David Grening Jul 19,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Stone Age, who finished second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf for trainer Aidan O’Brien, is now with Chad Brown and had his first local work Wednesday morning as he g

Our Flash Drive making most of bonus year

David Grening Jul 19,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - When Mark Casse ran Our Flash Drive in the Grade 2 Bessarabian Stakes last November at Woodbine, it was projected to be her last start. When Our Flash Drive galloped to a 5

Blazing Sevens facing easier rivals in Curlin Stakes

David Grening Jul 19,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It was nearly one year ago that Blazing Sevens won his debut here by 6 1/4 lengths, kicking off a 2-year-old campaign that would include a Grade 1 victory in the Champagne S

Clairiere, Nest square off in Shuvee; Played Hard spikes temperature

David Grening Jul 20,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Grade 1 winner Played Hard will miss Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Shuvee Stakes at Saratoga after spiking a temperature earlier in the week, trainer Phil Bauer said Thursd

Freshened Southlawn starts over in CCA Oaks

David Grening Jul 19,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Based on her two victories to begin the year, including an eye-catching 3 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks, Southlawn was sent off the second choice in th

Castellano works Arcangelo five furlongs with a big gallop-out

David Grening Jul 17,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Javier Castellano got reacquainted with his Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo on Monday morning at Saratoga, guiding him through a five-furlong workout in 1:00.52 in preparati

Uncashed takes fourth straight win with off-turf Quick Call

David Grening Jul 16,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The turf can wait for Uncashed. He’s doing just fine on dirt. When Sunday’s $175,000 Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga came off the turf to run over a sloppy main track, it

Does Brown go longer or shorter with Diana-winner Whitebeam next?

David Grening Jul 16,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Winning the Grade 1 Diana Stakes continues to come easy for trainer Chad Brown. Figuring out what to do next with the winner is more of a challenge. Whitebeam gave Brown hi

Casa Creed eyes fourth Fourstardave appearance

David Grening Jul 16,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Casa Creed came out of his one-length victory over Annapolis in Saturday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Kelso Stakes in good order and is tentatively pointing to the Grade 1 Fourstarda

Nest has final prep for next week's Shuvee Stakes

David Grening Jul 16,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Nest, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2022, completed preparations for her 4-year-old debut in next Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Shuvee Stakes at Saratoga by working a half-m

Pletcher leaving options open for Pirate

David Grening Jul 16,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Todd Pletcher is leaving his options open as it pertains to his sharp debut-winning 2-year-old Pirate, who earned a sharp Beyer Speed Figure for his three-length win a

Cody's Wish rattles off machine-like work ahead of Whitney stretch out

David Grening Jul 15,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — On a Saturday morning when there were more than 350 recorded workouts at Saratoga, Cody’s Wish nearly had the Oklahoma training track to himself shortly after 9:30 a.

Caravel, Wet Paint work for Saratoga graded stakes

David Grening Jul 15,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Caravel, the leading female turf sprinter in the country, worked a half-mile in 48.90 seconds over the Oklahoma turf course as she prepares to meet males again in the G

Disarm, Extra Anejo, Clairiere lead Asmussen workers

David Grening Jul 15,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Disarm and Extra Anejo put in a strong five-furlong work early Saturday morning as they prepare for upcoming stakes in the 3-year-old division. Disarm, pointing to t

Casa Creed moves back to mile in Kelso

David Grening Jul 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Casa Creed is a superior turf sprinter who, at least at Saratoga, has been equally effective going a mile. With the goal of a repeat victory in the Grade 1 Fourstardave H

Beyers make Gold Sweep clear favorite in Sanford

Mike Welsch Jul 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Eight of the 10 juveniles in Saturday’s $175,000 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga won their career debuts. Gold Sweep was not one of them. Despite that fact, it is Gold Sweep

Whitebeam noses In Italian to take Diana Stakes

David Grening Jul 15,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - For the second straight year trainer Chad Brown had four runners in the Grade 1 Diana field and for the second straight year he won the Grade 1, $500,000 turf race for females

Pletcher sends out Pirate to easy debut score

David Grening Jul 15,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Pirate, a 2-year-old son of Omaha Beach who was hammered down to 1-5 favoritism for his debut, didn’t disappoint, scoring a three-length victory in Saratoga’s first

Unified Alliance scores minor upset in off-turf Coronation Cup

Mike Welsch Jul 14,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The thundershowers that rolled through the Saratoga area late Thursday afternoon and into Friday morning was literally a perfect storm as far as trainer Tom M

Randomized takes lead, never relinquishes it in Wilton Stakes

David Grening Jul 14,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Randomized rebounded from a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes last month with a front-running, 1 1/2-length victory in Friday’s $125,550 Wilton St

Angel of Empire, Hit Show, Forte all work for showdown in Jim Dandy

David Grening Jul 14,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The last time they were seen together in the afternoon, Angel of Empire and Hit Show finished in a dead heat for fourth in the Belmont Stakes. The next time they will be

Haskell, Jim Dandy decision coming for Derby winner Mage

Mike Welsch Jul 14,2023
The major work seems about done, but the final decision has not been made quite yet regarding plans for Kentucky Derby winner Mage’s next start, which will come either in the $1 million Haskell this

Despite slow start, first-timer Becky's Joker scores $44 upset in Schuylerville

David Grening Jul 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Gary Contessa made quite the return to Saratoga Thursday sending out first-time starter Becky’s Joker to a 21-1 upset in the Grade 3, $175,000 Schuylerville Stakes, the open

Saratoga 2023: Opening-day handle falls 6.2% with accelerated post times 

David Grening Jul 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Thursday’s opening-day card began very much like the recently concluded Belmont Park meet with Linda Rice and Jose Ortiz teaming up to win the first race. By day’s en

Anticipation over the top as Saratoga begins 40-day stand

David Grening Jul 10,2023
Racing could use a dose of Saratoga right about now. Following a turbulent Triple Crown season overshadowed by a high number of equine fatalities, a rocky rollout of the Horseracing Integrity and W

Saratoga: Gargan has some 2-year-old firepower to challenge the big guns

David Grening Jul 10,2023
Danny Gargan has had limited success with 2-year-olds at Saratoga. Over the last six meetings, he has won with just 3 of 27 juvenile starters. He is expecting for that to change this summer. Led by

Forte will skip Haskell, point to Jim Dandy

David Grening Jul 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Forte, runner-up in the Belmont Stakes last month, will bypass the $1 million Haskell Stakes on July 22 at Monmouth Park and instead make his next start in the Grade 2, $500

In Italian aims for Diana repeat, at a much shorter price

David Grening Jul 13,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Hard to fathom now, but In Italian, at 8-1, was the longest price of Chad Brown’s four runners when she led a 1-2-3-4 finish for the trainer in last year’s Diana Stakes

Far Bridge, Charge It taking winning form to Saratoga

David Grening Jul 09,2023
ELMONT, N.Y. - For the winners of Saturday’s four graded stakes at Belmont Park, it’s on to Saratoga, where the races figure to be even more challenging. Trainer Todd Pletcher said Grade 1 Belm

White Abarrio works, will run next in Forego at Saratoga

David Grening Jul 03,2023
ELMONT, N.Y. – White Abarrio, third in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap last out, returned to the work tab Monday morning at Belmont Park, breezing five furlongs in 59.61 seconds over the main trac

New York-breds will be eligible for purse bonuses in open races at Saratoga

Matt Hegarty Jun 22,2023
New York-bred horses running in open maiden special weight races and open allowance races will be eligible for purse bonuses when racing on the New York circuit during the upcoming Saratoga Race Cours

Trainer Joseph gets OK to race at NYRA tracks; assigned 23 Saratoga stalls

David Grening Jun 17,2023
ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has been granted permission to race at New York Racing Association tracks and he could have a starter in next Saturday’s $150,000 Wild Applause Stakes at Bel

Love Reigns skips Royal Ascot, will be pointed to Saratoga

David Grening Jun 14,2023
ELMONT, N.Y. - Love Reigns was not one of the four horses trainer Wesley Ward sent to England for next week’s prestigious Royal Ascot meeting. Ward said recent works put in by Love Reigns didn’

1/ST proposes moving Preakness date; NYRA balks at pushing back Belmont

Matt Hegarty Aug 10,2023
Officials of 1/ST Racing, the owner of Pimlico Race Course in Maryland, have said that they intend to start a “discussion” about the possibility of running the Preakness Stakes at a later date, a

Chi Town Lady preps for Saratoga; Skims drops out of stakes company

David Grening Jun 14,2023
ELMONT, N.Y. – A third-level allowance for female sprinters on dirt and one for female route horses on turf highlight Friday’s 10-race card at Belmont Park. In race 3, the Grade 1 Test winner C

Gunite, Echo Zulu pointing to Saratoga and Breeders' Cup

Nicole Russo Jun 05,2023
Gun Runner hinted at talent as a 2-year-old, was a Grade 2 winner and third in the Kentucky Derby early in his 3-year-old campaign, and became a Grade 1 winner toward the end of that season. But as an

Saratoga stakes schedule reduced by six stakes, more than $1.8 million

David Grening Mar 07,2023
The New York Racing Association cut nearly $2 million in purse money and eliminated six ungraded events from the 2023 Saratoga stakes schedule it released Tuesday. In total, 71 stakes worth $20.8 m

Clapton privately purchased, will run in Jockey Club Gold Cup

David Grening Aug 28,2023
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Clapton has joined a new band, er barn. Clapton, winner of the Grade 3 Ghostzapper Stakes at Gulfstream Park in April and runner-up in the Grade 2 Suburban at Belmont Par
About Saratoga

Saratoga Race Course is a horse racing track located in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. It is one of the oldest sports facilities still operating in the country, having been founded in 1863. The Saratoga meeting runs from mid-July through Labor Day weekend every year.

Saratoga is home to some of the best stakes races in the country, as well as the best stakes schedule. Every single day of the meet features a top-class race, something no other track can boast. The Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes tops the meet, followed by the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney, and Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. The Grade 1, $750,000 Sword Dancer, Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby, Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama, Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign, Grade 1, $500,000 Forego, Grade 1, $500,000 Test, and Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave are just some of the other major races.

Saratoga, which is commonly known as The Spa, is also affectionately known as the “Graveyard of Champions” because some of the sport’s most notable upsets happened there. Man o’ War suffered his only career defeat at Saratoga in 1919, Secretariat lost the 1973 Whitney to Onion, Rachel Alexandra was defeated by Persistently in the 2010 Personal Ensign, and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah looked invincible until Keen Ice won the 2015 Travers Stakes.

Although most of the races at Saratoga are on the flat main turf or dirt course, there are several Steeplechase races that take place each year. In 2022, the Wilson Mile chute, a fixture long gone since 1972, was rebuilt for use during the races.

Recent G1 Travers Winners

Year Horse/Trainer Horse Trainer Beyer
2022
Epicenter
Steve Asmussen
Epicenter Steve Asmussen
2021
Essential Quality
Brad Cox
Essential Quality Brad Cox
2020
Tiz the Law
Barclay Tagg
Tiz the Law Barclay Tagg
2019
Code of Honor
Shug McGaughey
Code of Honor Shug McGaughey
2018
Catholic Boy
Jonathan Thomas
Catholic Boy Jonathan Thomas
2017
West Coast
Bob Baffert
West Coast Bob Baffert
2016
Arrogate
Bob Baffert
Arrogate Bob Baffert
2015
Keen Ice
Dale Romans
Keen Ice Dale Romans
2014
V.E. Day
Jimmy Jerkens
V.E. Day Jimmy Jerkens
2013
Will take Charge
D. Wayne Lukas
Will take Charge D. Wayne Lukas
2012
Golden Ticket (Dead Heat)/Alpha (Dead Heat)
Ken McPeek/Kiaran McLaughlin (Alpha)
Golden Ticket (Dead Heat)/Alpha (Dead Heat) Ken McPeek/Kiaran McLaughlin (Alpha)
2011
Stay Thirsty
Todd Pletcher
Stay Thirsty Todd Pletcher
2010
Afleet Express
Jimmy Jerkens
Afleet Express Jimmy Jerkens
2009
Summer Bird
Tim Ice
Summer Bird Tim Ice
2008
Colonel John
Eoin Harty
Colonel John Eoin Harty
2007
Street Sense
Carl Nafzger
Street Sense Carl Nafzger
2006
Bernardini
Thomas Albertrani
Bernardini Thomas Albertrani
2005
Flower Alley
Todd Pletcher
Flower Alley Todd Pletcher
2004
Birdstone
Nick Zito
Birdstone Nick Zito
2003
Ten Most Wanted
Wallace Dollase
Ten Most Wanted Wallace Dollase
2002
Medaglia d’Oro
Bobby Frankel
Medaglia d’Oro Bobby Frankel
2001
Point Given
Bob Baffert
Point Given Bob Baffert
2000
Unshaded
Carl Nafzger
Unshaded Carl Nafzger
About Saratoga
Saratoga FAQs
Q: When is the 2023 Saratoga Meet?

Saratoga runs from Thursday, July 13, through Monday, Sept. 4. Other than Labor Day, there is no racing on Mondays or Tuesdays.

 

Q: What are the best races at Saratoga?

The biggest race is the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes, which is run on Aug. 26. It is one of five Grade 1 races on the day, including the $750,000 Sword Dancer and the $500,000 Forego. Other big races include the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney and Grade 1, $600K Saratoga Derby on Aug. 5 and the Grade 1, $600K Alabama on Aug. 19.

 

Q: Who are the most famous horses to race at Saratoga?

Many of racing’s most elite horses have competed at The Spa during its 160-year history, including American Pharoah, Rachel Alexandra, Secretariat, Man o’ War, Gallant Fox, Affirmed, Kelso, Native Dancer, War Admiral, and Whirlaway.

 

Q: How do you bet on Saratoga?

DRF Bets offers daily wagering and race viewing for Saratoga.

 

Q: What time does Saratoga start?

Post time at Saratoga is usually 1:05 p.m., but it is 12:35 p.m. on Aug. 5 and Sept. 2, 3, and 4, and 11:35 a.m. on Aug. 26.