Sean Clancy

It’s the bible at any European horses-in-training sale. Timeform. Throw away the catalogue, get the Timeform Bloodstock Sales Guide, with its descriptions of every lot, detailing the horse’s preferred distances, running style, conformation, fortitude and attitude. The book doesn’t lie.

Writer: “I’ll write the goodbye column. What I’ll miss, the thank you to the horsemen and horses, the salute to Saratoga . . . like I write every year at this time.”

Editor: “You’ve been writing that for a week.”

My compatriot Jane Motion inspired my list (her list runs on page 18) of things I’ll miss from Saratoga.

Fold the tents, the traveling circus is leaving town. 

The morning.

“Dude, it’s not real money.”

By Sean Clancy

Todd Pletcher scanned the form of the Personal Ensign Saturday morning. 

Travers Day has come and gone. Afleet Express emerged as the best new recruit to the 3-year-old class. Owned by Gainesway Farm and Martin Cherry, the Afleet Alex colt put it together when he needed it most. 

And this here is your Travers edition. Annually the biggest issue of the year, this one took a while. If you’re reading this, we actually got it to the printer on time and the printer rung up overtime hours to get it out the door, to our porch, to your hands. 

Carlos Martin, in a tan suit, read Sunday’s overnight in the racing office. His assistant, Dave, asked him why he was dressed up.