It becomes all the more important then, to remember what brought you to horse racing and what keeps you in. For me, the annual summer sojourn I'm lucky enough to take to Saratoga Springs, N.Y.,  each August contains a lot of the things that warm my already-cold, already-hardened reporter's heart. In case they also warm yours, here are a few of my favorites:

• The children who line the jockey walk between the winner's circle and the jockeys' quarters, shyly asking for autographs and pictures. There is no bigger smile at the track than a kid who has just met a super hero, and for some of them it's clear jockeys are pretty close. The riders demonstrate incredible patience for what must feel like a never-ending parade of young fans, even as they have to hurry back to change for their next ride.
• The hush of the people who gather along the rail at the Oklahoma Training Track for turf works, peering through binoculars. They're almost silent as the horses come by to watch their strides more closely, in very much the same way I turn down the car radio when I'm trying to read a road sign. But in their attention there is also reverence.
• The toll of the bell to let race patrons know the horses are in the paddock – because at this track, at this meet, almost everybody knows what the paddock is and interested in knowing that the horses are entering it.
• The family who assembled an elaborate set-up which included color-coordinated table cloths, balloons a gift table and a homemade spread of endless food and a decorated cake for someone's birthday in the Backyard – making it appear as though it was their own backyard on a Saturday afternoon. In a way, I suppose it was.
• Morning barn rounds with longtime Albany Times-Union contributor Tim Wilkin. Tim has been in the business for longer than I've been alive (sorry, Tim) and he is of the old breed of New York turfwriter. They're a serious bunch with an air of 'been there, done that' because they have. Mornings with Tim involve trips to the top trainers' barns and there is work, yes, as he conducts interviews, runs down news tips, plots out his content for the day. But when he's done, he has a pocket full of peppermints and he visits his favorite horse in the shed row. Often times it's a graded stakes horse, but sometimes it's a more anonymous competitor he has taken a shine to. He'll feed the horse a candy and smile at them. Swiss Skydiver is his favorite right now. “Isn't she amazing?” he'll say.
• Ken McPeek assistant Francis Chiumiento, who recalled letting a young girl and her family in to visit Swiss Skydiver, not knowing until later the child had just beaten cancer and he had made her birthday extra special.
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• Late mornings on Clare Court, which is a series of jogging paths underneath huge pine trees behind the chute of the main track. The light comes in golden and dramatic, and horses take time over their work. They seem to take a deep breath back there, looping through figure eights or strengthening through their first canters off a lay-up. Ponies nibble the grass. The backstretch tour tram stops by, and a carefully-chosen Thoroughbred ambassador greets the families calmly as they ooh and aah and snap his picture.
• The ponies who stand like generals overlooking a battle as the gates thunder open, as field after field scampers by, unfazed by the water truck or the harrow.
• The sounds of Reggie's Red Hot Feet Warmers, the swing band whose horn and clarinet sing out through the front gates. Nothing is quite so bad after you've heard them play I'll See You In My Dreams or I Double Dare You or All Of Me.
• Barn dogs, who really believe they're assistant training. Barn cats, who are spoiled beyond belief and really believe they deserve it. Barn goats who care for no one and nothing.
• Watching the races from the roof, where you can see everything perfectly and hear a perfect mix of announcer John Imbriale, the conversations and cheers from the apron, and the jockeys calling to their mounts in the stretch.
• The track tradition of blaring New York State Of Mind through the loudspeakers at the end of the card. I am not much for Billy Joel, and the song really doesn't have a lot to do with Saratoga Springs, but it's become a sad, dramatic, strange goodbye at the end of the last race card of my trip. The world is an uncertain place, but tomorrow they'll be doing this same thing, in this same place, just like they have for years. And if I'm very lucky, I'll be here to see it all over again next summer.

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In capturing the Breeders' Cup “Win And You're In” qualifier, Got Stormy earned an automatic entry into the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile on November 6 at Del Mar. Four of the last ten editions of the Fourstardave were captured by the subsequent winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile with World Approval [2017], Tourist [2016] and Wise Dan [2012-13] securing the Fourstardave-Breeders' Cup Mile double. Got Stormy finished second to Uni in the 2019 Breeders' Cup Mile.

Got Stormy, a 6-year-old daughter of 2010 Fourstardave victor Get Stormy, arrived at Saturday's engagement off two fifth-place finishes at graded stakes level. But the talented chestnut mare got back to winning form in a familiar spot, becoming the first horse to capture multiple editions of the Fourstardave since 2012-13 Horse of the Year Wise Dan.

Sent off as the third choice in her 2019 Fourstardave coup, Got Stormy returned $27 as the third longest shot in the eight-horse field.

Breaking from post 6 under Tyler Gaffalione, Got Stormy tracked in third as graded stakes-winner Blowout, one of three distaffers in the field, flaunted her usual frontrunning tactics through an opening quarter-mile in 23.45 seconds, 2 ½-lengths clear of 19-1 longshot Whisper Hill in second. Through a half-mile in 46.69 over firm going, Got Stormy maintained third position approaching the far turn as Gaffalione weaved the accomplished mare two paths wide and in the clear.

Blowout was still in front in upper stretch but Got Stormy collared the pacesetter nearing the furlong marker and drew away to a 1 ½-length victory in a final time of 1:33.09.

Set Piece was a late-rallying second, a half-length ahead of Grade 1 Jackpocket Jaipur-winner Casa Creed.

Got Stormy secured a third Grade 1 conquest, and seventh overall graded stakes win. In addition to her two non-consecutive Fourstardave victories, she captured the Matriarch at Del Mar in November 2019.

“She was taking me the whole way,” said Gaffalione, a three-time stakes winner this meet. “I was able to tuck in and save ground. She relaxed beautifully down the backside. Going into the turn she started to pick up on her own and she started creeping up. When I put her outside, she unleased a big run and it was all over from there.”

Casse said a second Breeders' Cup Mile will likely be in the works following Saturday's victory.

“It would have to be the Mile,” Casse said. “I have to think [about potential races in between]. It's so difficult with her; there's things she really likes and things she doesn't. I took her to Woodbine two years ago and she got beat there [second in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile]. I have to think it over. I have to talk to the owners, so we'll figure it out.

“It turned out perfect,” Casse continued. “It's what she loves; they'll have some sharp turns at Del Mar [in the Breeders' Cup Mile], so that'll work out just fine. You could see how well she was training. She loves it here. She trains great here.”

Jockey Florent Geroux, aboard runner-up Set Piece, said his horse may not have cared for the surface.

“He did great. I felt the track wasn't playing in our favor,” Geroux said. I was up against it from the beginning since my horse is a deep closer, but he came running at the end. I'm very proud of his effort and he ran a good race. The mare really loved the track and she's great at this time of the season.”

Got Stormy, previously owned by Gary Barber, was purchased by her current ownership group for $2.75 million at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
Bred in Kentucky by Mt. Joy Stables, Pope McLean, Marc McLean and Pope McLean, Jr., Got Stormy banked $275,000 in victory, enhancing her lifetime bankroll to $2,398,403 through a record of 30-12-5-3.

Completing the order of finish were Blowout, Daddy Is a Legend, Raging Bull, Whisper Not and Field Pass.

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Gunite hung on for second, with Nakatomi getting up for third. Favored Doctor Jeff, who went off at 8-5, was fifth.

The field set fractions of :21.82, :44.93, and 1:09.81, with a final time of 1:16.53. See the full chart here.

Mott trains High Oak for owners LRE racing and JEH Racing. The Gormley colt came to the Special off a maiden win at Belmont in late June, where he also set off the early pace and closed. High Oak was bred in Kentucky by Catherine Parke and is out of Elusive Quality mare Champagne Sue. He was sold as a weanling at Keeneland November for $37,000, consigned by Valkyre Stud and purchased by Donarra Farm. As a yearling, he brought $70,000 from LRE Racing as a graduate from the Lane's End consignment.

High Oak paid $22.40 from a $2 win bet.

Saratoga Special Quotes

Bill Mott, winning trainer of High Oak (No. 11, $22.40): “We were just off the pace so he was right behind them. He was running plenty fast enough himself. When they hung up those fractions, I thought he'd have to be pretty good to hang in there himself.”

On working in company with older Grade 1-winner Casa Creed: “If they're going to run in these kind of races they better be able to do that. We just gave him some company to go with and thought they looked like a good pair. He was very professional today. We were very pleased. He's been a little tough to handle, but great in the paddock, great on the race track. He did everything right.”

On a potential next start in the G1, $500,000 Champagne on October 2 at Belmont Park: “You certainly would look at him and say that a one-turn mile is going to be okay. I guess you find all those things out as you go along. It's usually guesswork until you do it.

“I'm sure there will be plenty of discussion with [co-owner] Lee [Einseidler]. He's probably not going to want to pass up too many spots, but we'll talk and figure out a game plan.”

Junior Alvarado, winning jockey aboard High Oak (No. 11): “He broke very sharp today. He was a whole different horse today. He was mentally prepared and sharp. To be honest, I was just a passenger today. He put me in the spot that I wanted and he took me all the way around. When I turned for home, I just had to ask him a little bit and he took off.

“He broke great so I wasn't hustling to get there, but I wasn't going to slow him down either. He was going in a good rhythm for my horse. I know they were going fast but my horse was in a nice rhythm and he wasn't going as fast as he can go. He was pretty happy there. He finished up strong and galloped out great.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr., jockey aboard third-place Nakatomi (No. 1): “I had a perfect trip behind the leaders and off the speed. He was right there, close. The winner was much the best. My horse ran a good race. He came running.”

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The Preakness Stakes is widely known as the second leg of the Triple Crown and few connect the event with the durable star of the late 1800s who was named for a New Jersey township. In 1870, he won a stakes on opening day of Pimlico Race Course's inaugural meeting and was still campaigning when the track's signature event was rebranded three years later. The tradition of honoring the very best continues today, often after a marquee winner retires. Such is the case with Churchill Downs' Wise Dan Stakes, formerly known as the Firecracker for its spot on the calendar around the July 4 holiday.

This month's Lost and Found highlights some “lost” meanings of well-known stakes “found” on the summer schedule. The sampling is arranged in chronological order.

Matchmaker Stakes (July 17 at Monmouth Park) This fixture was conceived with an unusual incentive to attract the best fillies and mares. In addition to the financial reward, the prize for the top three finishers came with breeding options to premiere stallions. The original edition was held in 1967 at the now-idle Atlantic City Race Course. As sponsorships gained traction in the 1990s, Kentucky's leading stud operations began adding their brand to the title in addition to seasons to their stallions. Known as the WinStar Matchmaker since 2014, the 2021 renewal offered matings to Audible, Global Campaign and Tom's d'Etat.

Molly Pitcher Stakes (July 17 at Monmouth Park) Whether Molly Pitcher was a real person is a subject of debate, but the general consensus or legend is that she was a woman who carried water to troops at the Battle of Monmouth during the American Revolutionary War in 1778. The modern-day Molly Pitcher, first held in 1946, is undeniably a race that has attracted countless champion fillies and mares to the Jersey Shore track.

Jim Dandy (July 31 at Saratoga) The naming origin sometimes gets lost in translation for this test that is synonymous as the prep for the Travers Stakes, the Saratoga season's headliner. The race is a nod to the Thoroughbred who won the inaugural Travers in 1930 in a stunning upset over Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox. The surprise was one of the many that resulted in the track being dubbed “the graveyard of favorites” that has morphed into “the graveyard of champions.” Jim Dandy never came close to duplicating his best when it mattered the most. In his 141 starts, he produced just seven victories. By the stallion Jim Gaffney, Jim Dandy's label most likely reflected the definition for something of superior quality, a term that may have been inspired by a minstrel song of the mid 1800s.

Yellow Ribbon Handicap (August 7 at Del Mar) In racetracker slang, “get tied on” for this explanation of a pretty name with a pretty convoluted background. For starters, the summer edition is the rebranded Palomar Handicap while the first incarnation at Santa Anita is now the Rodeo Drive. The original was first held in 1977 during Santa Anita's autumn meeting when the Oak Tree Racing Association traditionally leased the facility. A popular song of the era was “Tie a Yellow Ribbon (Round the Old Oak Tree)” and somehow the wording grew into a good idea for a race. The varied symbolism and history of yellow ribbons includes awareness of the military although the hit song apparently is about a freed prisoner and his girlfriend.

Best Pal Stakes (August 7 at Del Mar) In short, the race for 2-year-olds recognizes the California-bred gelding but the story goes deeper. Best Pal was one of the most popular horses of his time thanks in part to his folksy name, West Coast roots and consistency during 47 races spread over seven seasons. His first of 12 graded wins came at Del Mar at age two in the Balboa Stakes which reflected area locations honoring the Spanish explorer. Best Pal retired in early 1996 and later that year the Balboa became the Best Pal. His 47-18-11-4 and $5,668,245 record includes Grade 1 victories in the Santa Anita, Charles H. Strub and Oaklawn Handicaps, Hollywood Gold Cup, and Hollywood Futurity and a runner-up effort in the 1991 Kentucky Derby.

A homebred of the revered Golden Eagle Farm of John and Betty Mabee, Best Pal returned to his birthplace but was less than thrilled with a life of too much leisure. He became a stable pony to accompany young horses to the track at Golden Eagle's training division. He died of an apparent heart attack at age ten and was buried on the property.

Beverly D. Stakes (August 14 at Arlington Park) The race for fillies and mares was designed in 1987 as the counterpart to the track's marquee Arlington Million that is run on the same day. The event honors the late wife of Richard Duchossois, whose name is forever linked with transforming Arlington Park into a spectacular setting for world-class racing. This year the Million will be contested as the Mister D. with a purse of $600,000. The Secretariat Stakes, the track's signature test for 3-year-olds, has been rechristened the Bruce D. to commemorate the couple's son who died in 2014.

Alabama Stakes (August 21 at Saratoga) Since 1872 some of the nation's finest fillies have been associated with Alabama which can be a head scratcher when glancing at headlines. The stakes refers to the home state of William Cottrell, a prominent owner-breeder of the era, who declined to have a race named for himself.

Singspiel Stakes (August 21 at Woodbine) First held in 2005, this race pays homage to the remarkably consistent international runner whose only two North American starts were at Woodbine. After winning the Canadian International at the Toronto track, the Irish-bred Singspiel was runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Turf to earn the 1996 Eclipse Award as champion grass horse. In his 20-race career, Singspiel was first or second on 17 occasions and banked just shy of $6 million. His triumphs include the 1997 Dubai World Cup. That triumph is commemorated with a race in his name that is contested early each year at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. After a productive stud career in England, Singspiel was euthanized in 2010 following complications of laminitis. By definition, Singspiel is a German opera with spoken dialogue. He is a son of In the Wings (GB) which is a theatrical term for a player waiting to go on stage.

Riskaverse Stakes (August 26 at Saratoga) This lyrical label sounds racehorsey, but with a hyphen after “risk” the term relates to investors reluctant to take certain gambles. A newbie on the calendar with an inaugural running in 2009, the 3-year-old filly feature is named for the mare who earned more than $2 million before closing her five-season campaign in 2005. Her record includes consecutive victories in the G1 Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park.

Ballerina Stakes (August 28 at Saratoga) First run in 1979, the label easily conjures up images of athletic and elegant dancers so one might not consider an equine version. However, the name is a nod to the standout filly of the 1950s who won New York's inaugural Maskette Handicap (now the Go for Wand).

Travers Stakes (August 28 at Saratoga) Arguably the most famous race of summer, the “The Midsummer Derby” is revered for highlighting returnees from the Triple Crown trail and the late bloomers getting into stride and for memorable victories and defeats. Dating back to 1864, the showcase honors Saratoga Race Course co-founder William R. Travers, who won the inaugural running with his horse Kentucky.

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My Sister Nat (FR) was second, followed by Temple City Terror and Luck Money.

War Like Goddess came to the race off a win in the G3 Bewitch at Keeneland and the G3 Orchid at Gulfstream. the race brings her to a lifetime record of five wins from six starts. Mott trains War Like Goddess for owner George Krikorian.

The filly was bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm and is the daughter of English Channel and North Light (IRE) mare Misty North. She was a $1,200 weanling from the Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services consignment at Keeneland November, where she was purchased by Falcon L&L Stables and Lawrence Hobson. She as then sold for $30,000 as a 2-year-old at the 2019 OBS June sale, where H N D Bloodstock purchased her from the Hemingway Racing and Training consignment.

The final time was 2:27.55, with fractional times of 2:03.64, 1:38.84, 1:13.02, and :49.05.

War Like Goddess was the favorite and paid $3.70, $2.70, and $2.30. See the full chart here.

G2 Glens Falls Quotes

Bill Mott, winning trainer of War Like Goddess (No. 3, $3.70*): “She ran well. We freshened her up a little bit and brought her back today. She moved forward for us and beat a nice bunch of fillies today.

“Our filly was pulling a little bit and they were going slow up front, so you always hope they can close into that slow kind of pace. She was good enough. I saw a good finish similar to what we saw in the [Grade 3] Bewitch [won last out in April at Keeneland].”

Glens Falls Quotes, courtesy NYRA press office

George Krikorian, winning owner of War Like Goddess (No. 3): “I give all the credit to my bloodstock agent Donato Lanni. He called me one day and told me, 'I saw this filly, she looks really nice. She might need some time but when she grows up, I think she'll be a special horse.' He was right. She's been pretty special so far. She's bred for this distance, for sure.”

Julien Leparoux, winning jockey aboard War Like Goddess (No. 3): “She gave some kick in the end. I think today she broke good. We got bumped, so we were last because of the little bump in the beginning. But she still had the kick, so that was nice to see. I think she's going improve for it.

“She's very nice. I think she can endure any kind of ground and even when she was pulling a bit on me early on, she's fresh. She had a very nice kick, so I'm very excited to be able to ride her. She felt great.

Jose Ortiz, jockey aboard runner-up My Sister Nat (No. 5): “I had a good trip, but honestly, when I took back a bit, I knew it was going to be tough to beat the winner. My horse tried hard, but she was second-best.”

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There was a stewards' inquiry into the stretch run, where Annex crossed over from the outside of rival Original under right handed urging from jockey Junior Alvarado. Original subsequently took a serious bobble and seemed to trip as though he caught the heels of Annex, and jockey Luis Saez pulled Original up before the finish line. Original was unsaddled and walked off the track alongside his groom, under his own power. There was no change to the order of finish as the result of the inquiry.

Annex was left up as second, with In Effect third and Next fourth. The final time for the mile was 1:35.03, with fractional times of 1:11.37, :47.56, and :23.91.

As the 4-5 favorite, Public Sector paid $3.80, $2.50, and $2.10.

Public Sector came to the race off a second-place finish in the Manila Stakes at Belmont (where he was second behind Original), and was last year's G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner. Klaravich Stables owns the 3-year-old son of Kingman (GB) and Montjeu (IRE) mare Parle Moi (IRE). Public Sector was bred in Great Britain by The Kathryn Stud. The colt was a $217,822 purchase by Klaravich from the Tattersalls October Sale, where he was consigned by Clearwater Stud.

See the full chart here.

G2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Quotes, courtesy NYRA Press Office

Chad Brown, winning trainer of Public Sector (No. 2, $3.80*): “Our plan was to leave out of there with intention. It looked like there was a lot of speed on paper but make them go, get our spot and if they're going to go, go. If not, we'll be there. As it turned out, they actually weren't going. The 47 and 3 [half-mile] is solid but it's been dry here and in a graded race at Saratoga, that's not that fast for these horses. Flavien [Prat] does many things wonderfully and that was one of them. He gives you a chance to win by adapting to the pace right away. If you give him the right horse, he's going to deliver for you.”

On winning for Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables: “We've become very close friends and he's such a loyal supporter of our stable and he provides us with these wonderful horses like you saw today with Public Sector. He's a real sportsman and always does the right thing by the horse and he gets rewarded because of that.”

Flavien Prat, winning jockey aboard Public Sector (No. 2): “The first time I rode him, I was really close to the pace and he won a nice race [on June 4 at Belmont Park]. Last time, I think it was just a slow pace. I got stuck behind horses. He couldn't really bring me anywhere around the turn and I had to make up a lot of ground on the slow pace [second in the Manilla on July 4 at Belmont]. Today, we had a good draw and he broke well and put me in the race. The pace was a bit stronger and it worked out well.

“I thought I was going to be able to go around the leader, but then I saw the leader came out and I dropped in and had room.

“We were pretty much making the move together but when I really asked him to make the move, he responded well.”

Junior Alvarado, jockey aboard runner-up Annex (No. 1): “I was moving with Luis Saez [aboard No. 6, Original] and we both made the run. At the time, I was moving more forward than him and I felt him bump me on my rear end. I knew I was still straight in my path. After that, when he was out of there, I started coming again. My horse put in a good run today and I was happy with him.

“It may have cost me a few lengths but I didn't have much room on the inside. The winner had the trip and I really didn't have another way to go but just move outside.”

Luis Saez, rider aboard Original (No. 6) who did not finish the race: “The horse was OK. He just clipped heels.”

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