Saratoga Springs | Horse Racing Free Tips

2022 HOF Class Headed by Beholder, Tepin

Eight new members have been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, including Eclipse Award winners Beholder (Henny Hughes) and Tepin (Bernstein) in the contemporary category, both chosen in their first year of eligibility. The other members of the class of 2022 are divisional stalwarts Hillsdale (Take Away) and Royal Heroine (Ire) (Lypheor {GB}) and, via the Historic Review Committee, Classic-winning trainer Oscar White.

Among the Pillars of the Turf, owner/breeding/official James Cox Brady, track announcer and official Marshall Cassidy and renowned owner/breeder James Ben Ali Haggin will also be honored.

The new inductees will be honored 10:30a.m. Friday, Aug. 5 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on the Museum website at www.racingmuseum.org. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

Beholder, a winner of three Breeders' Cup races for trainer Richard Mandella, earned four Eclipse title–2-year-old (2012), 3-year-old (2013) and Older Female (2015-16). The winner off 11 Grade Is, the Spendthrift Farm runner retired with 18 wins from 26 lifetimes starts and earnings of $6,156,600.

The Eclipse earning turf mare in 2015 and 2016, Robert Masterson's Tepin won 11 graded/group races, including winning efforts facing males in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot and the GI Woodbine Mile. The winner of 13 races from 23 starts, the Mark Casse trainer retired with over $4.4 million in earnings.

Indiana-bred Hillsdale enjoyed his best season at four in 1959, winning 10 of 13 starts, including the San Carlos S., San Fernanado S., Californian, Hollywood Gold Cup and American H. A winner of 16 stakes at 11 different tracks, the Martin Fallon Jr. trainee retired with in excess of $600,000 in earnings (ranking him in 13th all-time at that time).

Campaigned by Robert Sangster in the U.S., England and France, Royal Heroine won 10 (eight stakes) of 21 career starts for earnings over $1.2 million. Among her chief victories in Europe for Sir Michael Stoute are the Prix de l'Opera at the Princess Margaret S. at Royal Ascot. In the U.S., she added wins in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, GI Hollywood Derby, and GI Matriarch S. while under the care of John Gosden.

Representing the human inductees, Oliver White, who trained exclusively for the Jeffords family, won 706 races, including 104 stakes. Included among his top runners, Horse of the Year One Count, Ch. 2-year-old and Classic winner Pavot and Ch. 3-year-old Filly Kiss Me Kate.

Chairman of NYRA for eight years during the 60s, James Cox Brady also enjoyed success as an owner, campaigning the likes of champion War Plumage and graded stakes winners Casemate, Secret Meeting, Landlocked and Artismo. From 1938 through 1970, Brady's horses won 234 races with earnings on over $2 million. He also served as a steward and vice chairman of The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Association. Additionally, he was one of the original directors of NYRA and a founding director of the Monmouth Park Jockey Club.

An exercise rider of flat and steeplechasers in his youth, Marshall Cassidy is credited with devising the modern stall-style starting gate, improving the photo-finish camera system, inventing the electric timer and introducing saliva testing and pre-race veterinary exams. He also served as director of racing for NYRA from 1963 through 1968 in addition to a position as executive secretary of The Jockey Club.

Attorney and rancher James Ben Ali Haggin made his fortune investing in mining, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the country at the time. Establishing a breeding center on Rancho del Paso near Sacramento in 1873, he was responsible for Hall of Famers Firenze and Salvator. Establishing a stable in the east in the mid 1880s and later purchasing Elmendorf Farm in Kentucky in 1897, Haggin also campaigned Classic winners Ben Ali and Tyrant. He is also credited with the purchase of Hall of Famer Miss Woodford, in addition to having bred top horses including Africander, Sir Walter, Tournament, Waterboy and Tradition.

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With Five Days Left In Meet, Saratoga Sets New Handle Record

At the completion of Wednesday's card, all-sources handle for the Saratoga meet stood at $709,437,410, which was enough to set an all-time handle mark for the historic race meet. After Wednesday, there were still five days left to the meet, which means the final handle number will shatter all records.

The previous handle record was set in 2019, when $705,343,949 was wagered. With fans not allowed on-track last year due to COVID-19 concerns, the 2020 handle came in at $702.5 million.

“The record-breaking handle numbers reflect the quality of racing here at Saratoga Race Course and the excellence of the summer meet, where all-sources handle has surpassed $700 million for three consecutive years,” said NYRA CEO and President David O'Rourke. “The business of Saratoga is stronger than at any point in its history, and that would simply not be possible without the support of the horseplayers and the hard work and dedication of the horsemen here in New York.

“Ultimately, these wagering dollars are critically important to sustain a robust purse account that supports hundreds of small businesses and the 19,000 good paying jobs that are directly tied to Thoroughbred racing. Beyond that, the enthusiasm that bettors have for Saratoga allows NYRA to invest in the kind of capital-improvement projects that are so important to the future of the sport. Whether it's a project like the renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track this year, or a frontside improvement like the construction of the 1863 Club, NYRA is committed to investing in our facilities for the betterment of the sport in New York and the industry as a whole. What's also clear is that Saratoga Live and our partnership with FOX Sports has been incredibly effective in reaching existing fans and developing new interest in the sport.”

O'Rourke noted that the return of the fans for this year's meet undoubtedly played a role in not just the robust handle figures, but the economic well being of the Saratoga community.

“Beyond the gates of Saratoga Race Course, the return of fans this summer has been critically important for downtown Saratoga Springs and the entire Capital Region business,” he said. “For the sixth consecutive year, we will eclipse one million in paid attendance, and this summer will long be remembered for the return of the best fans in racing to the rightful place at Saratoga.”

The record handle was accomplished despite a number of races coming off the turf. Through the 35th day of the meet, 76 races had come off the turf. In 2020, the number was just 31.

Once again, from a handle perspective, the highlight of the meet was the GI Runhappy Travers. S. card, which accounted for $51,381,515 in handle, down just slightly from the record set in 2019 when $52,129,344 was bet. The card for the GI Whitney S. generated an all-sources record handle of $36,802,234, bettering the previous mark of $35,796,434 set in 2020.

Should business remain robust through the end of the meet, NYRA has a chance to eclipse the $800 million mark for total handle. If so, that would mean an increase of about 13% over the 2019 figures.

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Fasig-Tipton NY-Bred Yearlings Sale Starts Sunday

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearlings Sale, which follows on the heels of a strong renewal of the company's Saratoga Selected Yearlings Sale, begins its two-day run at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion Sunday evening at 7 p.m. With the cancellation of last year's auction due to the pandemic, this marks the second time the sale will be held on Sunday and Monday, as opposed to its traditional Saturday and Sunday dates and, with an extra day of showing, consignors were kept busy on the sales grounds when shopping started Friday.

“We showed Friday and we were very busy,” said Derek MacKenzie, whose Vinery Sales has 22 yearlings consigned to the auction. “I think we showed 1,060 times. How we got that done, I don't know, but we did. It's been strong again today, not quite as busy, obviously with the second day. There have been a lot of new faces–a lot of pinhookers, quite a few new faces that weren't here for the main sale. And we are seeing quite a few of the trainers coming over as well. So that's good.”

The New York-bred sale continues to gain strength from year to year, with a record-priced yearling at each of the last four renewals.

“There are definitely more people coming than there used to be and the catalogue has gotten so much stronger, pedigree-wise over the years,” MacKenzie said. “And the physicals have improved, too. There are some very sharp buyers who told me the physicals keep getting better and better every year. And this year is the best yet.”

The strength of the New York-bred racing program has pushed the state's breeding industry to new heights and consignors are expecting those results to be mirrored in the sales ring.

“I think the sale every year has increased in strength,” said Archie St. George, who will offer six yearlings–all by Kentucky-based sires–through his St. George Sales consignment. “It seems like the sire power is getting better every year. There are a lot more consignors from Kentucky selling here. The horses are better. I think every year, the sale has taken a step forward.”

St. George looks for that trend of yearly improvement to continue in 2021.

“Racing in New York is in a good place and, if you've got the right horse, by the right stallion, and you vet well, I am sure you'll get rewarded,” he said.

Jimbo and Tori Gladwell's Top Line Sales will offer four yearlings at the two-day auction.

“We're glad to be back and have a great atmosphere to sell at,” Jimbo Gladwell said. “I think the activity at the barns is on par with years past, with the sales split up by a couple of days and an extra day of showing. The traffic has been good, we've been busy both days so far. I think it's going to be a strong sale.”

Following on a strong series of juvenile sales this past spring, buyers seem eager to restock at the yearlings auctions. The Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearlings Sale featured competitive bidding and buying was tough at last week's Saratoga Selected Yearlings sale. Those trends should lead to a positive New York-bred sale, according to Gladwell.

“The sale in July was very strong, the trade was brisk and people were spending money,” he said. “People showed up at the first sale here and they weren't just shopping, they were here to buy horses. The same group of people are here. They are shopping hard and are keen on spending some money. I think it was very difficult to buy the horses you wanted in the first sale. What is perceived as quality is bringing a lot more than it is supposed to. That is what we are all doing it for, is trying to find that horse and get in that spot. Hopefully we get a little luck here.”

The 2019 New York-bred sale was topped by a daughter of Malibu Moon, who brought a sale record $775,000 from Larry Best's OXO Equine. Now the stakes-placed Brattle House (Malibu Moon), she was one of 186 sold for a gross of $16,200,000. The average was $87,097 and the median was $60,000.

The 2018 auction set records for both average ($107,512) and median ($76,000) and was topped by a then-record $600,000 son of Pioneerof the Nile.

Sunday's evening session begins at 7 p.m. with 100 catalogued yearlings on offer. The auction continues Monday at noon with an additional 207 catalogued head.

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Saratoga Merchants Look Forward to Return of Fans

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY–Precisely 52 weeks ago, King's Tavern co-owner Jason Fitch valiantly tried to be at least a little bit positive about the prospect of a racing season without spectators across Union Avenue at Saratoga Race Course.

Closed for three months by the COVID-19 lockdown, King's had reopened in mid-June at the partial-capacity limits of the time. While just being able to operate was better than nothing for Fitch and his brothers and partners, Adam and Patrick, he acknowledged it was going to be a difficult summer without the thousands of potential customers visiting the track for the upcoming 40 days.

“Whatever happens, we're definitely going to embrace it,” Fitch said. “It's still going to be Saratoga with the track and the horses still running.”

The Fitch brothers managed to get through the business-crushing stretch with King's and their Saratoga City Tavern and–like dozens of other local merchants–said they were mightily pleased that the track will be filled with fans again when the season gets underway on July 15.

“The mood, compared to last year, is different, 180 degrees,” Fitch said. “Definitely, everyone's excited. Beyond excited.”

When New York's vaccination rate reached 70% on June 15, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that restrictions were being lifted on most businesses in the state. The timing was ideal for the New York Racing Association's biggest meeting and the Capital-Saratoga region that is wedded to the commerce that the racing season at the Spa delivers.

“We're optimistic of what it is going to bring,” Fitch said. “Chatter is that it's going to be the busiest year we've ever had now, not just us, but the whole Saratoga city. So that being said, we're hoping for the best. We're not sure if it's going to be over-the-top busy, which we're hoping because after the last year of COVID and the shutdown and all that stuff, we need it for the bounce-back. It's going to be fun. As of right now, leading up to it, the vibe downtown on Caroline Street is, we're seeing Travers-sized crowds already.”

NYRA president David O'Rourke said that company officials are well aware of the thirst for the Saratoga season.

“It's unprecedented, the enthusiasm,” O'Rourke said. “It's always big, but it's just exponential this year.”

Dave Harmon, who opened his West Side Sports Bar & Grill on Congress Street in 2005, is predicting a blockbuster run in Saratoga. Harmon, with a deep background in photography for racing publications, is well-connected in the sport.

“This summer is going to be off the charts,” he said. “I think it's going to be like the Roaring Twenties,” drawing a comparison to the booming decade following World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic.

“There's so many people and whether it's Pennsylvania, downstate, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, these people haven't seen their friends for over a year, so where are they going to come?” Harmon said. “They're going to come to Saratoga. They missed all last year. They're going through withdrawal from that. What better place to go than Saratoga and that's what's going to happen.”

Sackatoga Stables' operating partner Jack Knowlton has lived and worked in Saratoga Springs for three decades. With a small number of his partners permitted on the grounds last summer, Knowlton accomplished his No. 1 goal at Saratoga, winning the GI Runhappy Travers S., with Tiz the Law (Constitution)'s decisive victory. Knowlton said business is already booming in his adopted hometown.

“The town has been in race mode for the last three, four weeks already,” he said. “All restaurants and hotels are full. It started before the track. People want to get out and do things. I think it's going to be a meet that is going to break every record in the book, for sure.”

The Fitch brothers have operated the five-story Saratoga City Tavern for 16 years. In 2014, they took over King's Tavern, which was only open during the racing season, and have operated it year-round. Last summer, routinely described as one unlike any other in Saratoga history, was especially difficult for people who own small businesses.

“We lost the eight weeks with the track last year,” Fitch said. “Yes, the horses ran, but there were no tourists, the extra influx of people. We were extremely lucky at King's that we have a very loyal, amazing regular customer clientele. They really supported us and without that we would not have made it through that winter. There's no way. We're extremely grateful to have those people who supported us. That was huge for us.”

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