Saratoga Diaries: Opening Day

To me, visiting Saratoga for opening day is my pilgrimage to American horse racing’s most hallowed environs. Some of the greatest names in the sport’s history have graced these grounds: from Man o’ War to Citation and Secretariat to Ruffian, Saratoga has seen the masters of the game, and with a new season opening, who knows what this year will bring?
I decided to head up to Spa City on Thursday morning; I had no intention of delays hindering my opening day plans, so I hopped on the Amtrak in Penn Station and enjoyed the beautiful ride up next to the Hudson River to Saratoga Springs, N.Y. It’s my favorite way of traveling to Spa City, since the entire ride provides breathtaking views as you journey closer and closer to the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.

I arrived at the Saratoga train station just a little after noon on Thursday and hopped straight into a taxi and headed downtown. Luggage in tow, I decided to grab a bite to eat. That’s when I stumbled upon Seven Horse Pub, which I highly recommend. The food was delicious, the staff was amazingly friendly, and they had free Wi-Fi. It was the perfect trifecta to start off my weekend!
After my lunch, I decided to head to the track to drop some gear off and experience the calm before the Saratoga storm. I’m so glad that I did, because one of the first people I ran into upon my arrival was Sam the Bugler, who was wearing a Sam the Bugler shirt. Samception!

My trip to the track was brief, and after dropping off my stuff at my place I grabbed some dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in town: Hattie’s. The fried chicken here is some of the best I’ve ever had (and I’m from the South!), and I knew that I couldn’t go without it on my first day in Saratoga. 

After that, it was an early bedtime for me since I had big plans to go to the racetrack in the morning for workouts.
My alarm went off bright and early, and my housemates (ABR ambassadors Dan and Victoria as well as our friend and ABR contributor Acacia Courtney) and I hopped in the car and made our way to Saratoga Race Course.

Thanks @DanonymousMan for taking this photo of @itsmevictoriag, @acacia_courtney and @Lookitsemmap! #Saratoga pic.twitter.com/G7R3JDYyhP
— Penelope P. Miller (@PenelopePMiller) July 24, 2015
It was a perfect morning, and we were treated to a visual feast as hundreds of Thoroughbreds emerged from their stables to take in their daily exercise at one of the most picturesque racetracks in the world. 

One of the (many, many) reasons that I love going to the track in the morning in Saratoga is that you never know when a famous horse will go by. I spotted 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red galloping Friday morning, and I am very happy to report that he looked sensational.

I also got the chance to admire Oreo, one of the cutest stable ponies up here. Look at that face! 

I wasn’t alone in glorying in the beautiful Saratoga morning; there was a big crowd gathered around the breakfast area as well as several tours taking in the backside scene.

I also got the chance to wander through a section of the barn area called Clare Court, which is a favorite area of mine. Time stands still under the towering elm trees as Thoroughbreds gallop around the half-mile exercise course or stretch their legs on the lush carpet of grass.

Horses who have finished their morning gallops relax under the ministrations of their caretakers or await their breakfasts in thickly bedded stalls.

Clare Court is also the final home of some of Saratoga’s most legendary heroes, including Fourstardave. Known as the "Sultan of Saratoga," Fourstardave won here for eight consecutive years. I was lucky enough to witness a few of his 100 lifetime starts, and I’m not alone in remembering the gutsy gelding fondly. In fact, when I went to go pay my respects at his grave, someone had left a bobblehead of him to mark the occasion of opening day.

With that as the perfect way to end my first morning training hours at Saratoga for the year, it was time for me to head to the main area of the racetrack to get ready for opening day to kick off. The gates had been open to fans since 7 a.m. ET, and by the time I arrived at about 10:30 a.m. the place was already filled with racegoers out for a fantastic day at the Spa.

I spotted so many stylish people today, too – my hat envy was real.

And the dapper gentleman in the photo below? None other than New York’s most famous and revered track announcer Tom Durkin! This is the first summer that he’s not calling races at Saratoga, and he was having a blast socializing with other fans around the track all day.

Before I knew it, the moment had arrived: it was time for the very first race of Saratoga’s 2015 racing season! To kick off the racecourse’s 152nd meet, Sam the Bugler (now wearing his traditional red coat) played the "Call to the Post".

Then, Saratoga’s new track announcer (and voice of the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup World Championships!) Larry Collmus instructed the crowd on the traditional start to the races here: as the horses spring from the starting gate, the crowd roars as one, “And they’re off at Saratoga!”

Then, a little over one minute and 51 seconds later, Sea Raven and John Velazquez became the 152nd pair to win the first race of a Saratoga season.

Very soon, it was time for the first major race of the day: the Schuylerville Stakes. This is a contest for 2-year-old fillies (AKA female horses) traveling three-quarters of a mile on the main dirt track. I love these types of races, because you never know when you’ll see the sport’s next superstar in the making. Eight young Thoroughbreds were lined up to compete, and they were a beautiful sight as they paraded around the paddock before the Schuylerville. 

The fillies then made their way to the starting gate, and after six furlongs (furlong is horse racing’s esoteric terminology for a distance equivalent to an eighth of a mile) Off the Tracks was an easy winner.

At that point in the afternoon, the skies over the Spa began to darken (thanks, weather websites, for once again convincing me to leave my rain gear at home!) and soon things really began to look ominous.

Not long after, Collmus’ voice came over the loudspeakers to urge fans to take cover: there was a tornado watch for the area, and conditions were not safe. People scattered to safety; meanwhile, I decided to climb onto the roof because that sounded like an amazing opportunity for a photo. (I realize how dumb this is. I do. But it was a cool picture.)

Fortunately, the storm bypassed us, and once the weather was deemed safe the races resumed for the afternoon.
The second big race of the day was the Lake George Stakes. This is another race for fillies, but this one is for 3-year-olds who compete on the turf course at 1 1/16 miles.  As the horses warmed up before the race, fans crowded to the rail to catch a glimpse of the contenders.

And then they were off in the Lake George! Nine fillies surged out of the gate and into the first turn as one with the roar from the grandstand urging them on.

And the crowd was treated to an excellent race: it was an absolute cavalry charge to the finish with a very game Mrs McDougal and Irad Ortiz Jr. gutting it out to snag the victory in the Lake George.

Her ecstatic grooms and caretakers were waiting for their filly to return after the race, and graciously agreed to pose for a photo for me before reuniting with Mrs McDougal.

As opening day drew to a close, a rainbow emerged over the iconic cupolas of Saratoga.

It was a perfect end to a sensational first day of the summer Spa race meeting, and I can’t wait to come back for more on Saturday. Thank you as always for joining me on my adventures, and I’ll leave you with a few more photos from Friday’s action at Saratoga.