The Saratoga racing season has always been about transition - one where youthful glamor transitions to mature elegance, where the serene early morning is transformed into afternoon excitement, where timeless traditions slowly give way to new ones. Each nod to the past is met with equal enthusiasm for the future; each two-year-old winning performance evokes comparisons with past winners while conjuring up lofty expectations for the future.
It is with that backdrop that racing insiders, year-round fans and casual vacationers all recognize the Saratoga racing season as one that looks backward and forward at the same time.
Everything about this time of year is transitional. The weather begins with summer heat only to transition to fall-like mornings; vacationer’s transition from celebrating a break from work to preparing for the final quarter of the year; students and parents transition from the carefree summer break to an increasingly early return to classes- and so is it with the racing.
The meet’s marquee races all simultaneously seek to validate or invalidate prior performances and provide guidance as to the Breeders’ Cup and fall championship campaigns. The Saratoga race meet is a transformational one. It has its own beginning and end. (Whatever one thinks of trainer Linda Rice’s actions and looming suspension, most racetrackers understood her contention that gifts she gave racing officials at the end of the Saratoga season were “season-ending” in nature - a sentiment that was clearly lost on the hearing officer.) To many the Saratoga season is its own world.
The recent Fourstardave weekend is the inflection point in the Saratoga meet when things get serious; and focus begins to shift towards the end of year championships.
I have always viewed the Fourstardave as a Grade 1 race with skepticism. This middle weekend was sardonically referred to by one of my friends as “the Lost Weekend.” Taking nothing away from this year’s winner - Casa Creed – the Fourstardave weekend mostly signifies that racing at Saratoga is about to get real. And get real it does - the next two weekends will define the meet with the Alabama and Travers determining which horses are the best three-year-olds while ushering them into the world of older competition for the rest of their careers (notwithstanding newer three-year-old only races that now mar the racing calendar).
Such is the timeless pattern of graduation from one aspect of life to another. For some fans this will be their last Saratoga; for others their first - for most fans the Saratoga meet “stays the same - only different”.
Things change but the Alabama and Travers remain constant.
The erstwhile philosopher Ferris Buehler once cautioned “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” The same can be said about the Saratoga meet. My advice - get out there these next two weeks. See the beauty of the animals, watch the interplay between older and younger fans, embrace the excitement. It’s about constancy and change - ying and yang - fortune both good and bad – friendships new and old.
A very good way to participate is to support the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. This week the NYRTC held their 15th Annual Brunch at Saratoga National to raise funds for their mission of assisting the backstretch workers who help feed and care for the horses that make the races happen. This year’s honoree – Andy Serling - in keeping with his lifelong focus on numbers, expressed gratitude to the backstretch workers “who care for the horses 365 days a year, 366 days in a leap year.” In a humble and good-humored acceptance speech he emphasized both the tireless work of those in the backstretch and the vital work performed by the NYRTC.
Karen Chavez, the General Manager of NYRTC, gave the attendees a full and dynamic explanation of the multiple services her organization provides for the financial, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of backstretch workers and their families. In a fast-paced, captivating and emotional speech Ms. Chavez simultaneously expressed admiration for both hard-working backstretch workers and loyal supporters who help fund the organization. Her first-hand account of the tremendous impact of providing opportunity to others, gave the crowd great incentive to respond to Anthony Stabile’s Fasig-Tipton-like auction of items benefitting the cause.
The large crowd included luminaries from the world of politics, entertainment, finance, real estate and racing, including many high-profile and high-net-worth donors and supporters. It should be stressed that the average racing fan and bettor can play a role in assisting those that care for the equine stars of the industry by making small donations – the cost of an exacta box or another meal or drink during the racing day can make a difference. It is yet another way to participate in the Saratoga season – providing opportunity to others – be involved. Donations can be made atwww.rtcany.org.
