Saratoga Racecourse | Horse Racing Free Tips

Saez Expected to Return Friday

Luis Saez will be cleared to ride at Saratoga Friday pending the completion of a 14-day quarantine period, a negative COVID-19 test and clearance from a physician noting that he can no longer transmit the virus, the New York Racing Association announced Sunday.

Saez tested positive for COVID-19 July 10 while riding at Keeneland Race Course. He has remained asymptomatic throughout the period of quarantine, which will total 14-days July 24.

Current Centers for Disease Control (C.D.C.) guidance recommends a 10-day quarantine period for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, but remained asymptomatic prior to and throughout the duration of quarantine. Saez made the determination to extend his quarantine to 14-days in the interest of protecting his fellow riders.

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Average Handle Increases at Belmont Spring/Summer Meet

Belmont Park’s abbreviated Spring/Summer Meet generated $15,466,198 in average daily handle from all sources, a 42% increase over the 2019 spring/summer meet. Held over 25 days and without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the live meet marked the return of professional sports to the New York area and was conducted with strict health and safety protocols in place.

“We would like to thank the horseplayers for their enthusiastic support of New York racing during this most unusual spring/ summer meet,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “That we were able to resume racing on June 3, and usher in the return of professional sports in New York, reflects the dedication and professionalism of the racing community during these uncertain and challenging times.”

All sources handle during this year’s spring/summer meet totaled $386,654,955. Average field size over the 248 races carded was 8.61.

The 2019 spring/summer meet, which was contested over 48 live race days, generated all-sources handle of $524,051,324 and average daily handle of $10,917,736. With 448 races run, the average field size was 6.98.

Racing shifts upstate for the 40-day Saratoga meeting which begins Thursday. Under current New York State guidelines, the track will open without spectators in attendance.

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Forego Possible for Vekoma

Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) exited his determined victory in Saturday’s GI Runhappy Metropolitan H. in fine shape and could now be aimed at the Aug. 29 GI Forego S. at Saratoga, while connections also consider training the 4-year-old up to the Breeders’ Cup.

“What a horse,” co-owner Randy Hill said Sunday. “I’ll never own another horse like this. I’ve watched the race about 20 times and it just gives me goosebumps. I really wish I could have been there, but I’d rather win than be there and lose them.”

Vekoma earned an automatic entry into both the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint and the GI Breeders’ Cup Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile with his wins in the GI Runhappy Carter S. and Met Mile.

“I think he’s the best older horse in the country,” Hill said. “[Trainer] George [Weaver] is thinking about the Forego or training right up to the Breeders’ Cup and we leave all of that up to him. The horse will tell us. He’s such a warrior.”

Blair Golen, who oversees Weaver’s Belmont string, reported that the Met Mile hero emerged from Saturday’s triumph in good shape.

“He came out of it in good order,” Golen said. “What impressed me last time and this time was that he wasn’t that tired. When he ran here at seven furlongs, he recovered fast and was really on the muscle, and it was the same again this time, too.”

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Face Mask Campaign to Benefit Saratoga Charities

The New York Racing Association, Inc. and the city of Saratoga Springs today unveiled a limited edition set of Saratoga Race Course-branded face masks as part of a joint initiative to raise funds for two local non-profit organizations: Franklin Community Center and Shelters of Saratoga. The Saratoga reusable cloth face masks come in a variety pack featuring three individual designs and which include a white border and stretchable elastic ear straps with an interior pocket for a replaceable filter.

The three-pack is available for preorder for $24.95 at Shop.NYRA.com.

A portion of proceeds will be donated in equal allotments to support the efforts of two Saratoga Springs-based non-profit organizations: Franklin Community Center and Shelters of Saratoga, which provide food, shelter and other critical resources to the community.

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