Saratoga Spotlight: The Intimacy of Saratoga
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Unlike most professional athletes, jockeys are accessible at Saratoga. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
The special bond between horse racing fans and jockeys is just one of the many things that makes Saratoga Race Course a unique sporting venue.
Imagine going to a professional basketball or baseball game and trying to get an autograph from LeBron James or Derek Jeter. That's certainly no easy feat. However, it's the total opposite at Saratoga.
As the jockeys navigate through the crowd to get back to the jockeys' room, you will find that they are extremely accommodating. Whether you want a picture with them, an autograph, or to simply say 'hi', the jockeys will acknowledge you. And let me tell you, it's a neat feeling when they take the time to look you in the eye and interact.
LUIS SAEZ SIGNS AN AUTOGRAPH FOR A YOUNG FAN
Photo courtesy of Billy Blake
One of my favorite things to do as a kid at Saratoga was to ask the jockeys for their goggles after the race. I usually waited until the last couple of races because I knew they would need them for the rest of the day, but some of the jockeys were willing to pass them off to me. And I never cleaned the dirt off of them!
Life-long memories are made during the precious time jockeys spend mingling with fans. Maybe it's that signed program you will keep forever, or the photo smiling from ear to ear with a jockey who just won a race - it's these instances at Saratoga that make it the ultimate destination.