Join The Saratoga Special Readers Club for exclusive access to news, swag, discounts, special events and more

News

Pennsylvania Hunt Cup recap: West Wind

Go. You go. I’m not going. After you, no you. Go. No, you go. I’m not going . . .

The Pennsylvania Hunt Cup field melted away from Barry Watson’s starter flag and the 4-mile stakes slowed down from there. A Fine Story cantered off to a big lead that lasted just three fences when he refused and dumped Russell Haynes at the first major test, the sloping post-and-rail fence heading out to Weymouth country. Bubble Economy emulated the move, slamming on his brakes under Robbie Walsh, which racked up Woodmont and Jeff Murphy. In three fences, three of the eight starters were heading home.

AFLAC recap: No Apologies

Sometimes you have to say you’re sorry.

“Sorry lads, I apologize now for going too fast,” Robbie Walsh said to his six rival jockeys at the start of the AFLAC U.S. Championship Supreme Hurdle at Callaway Gardens Nov. 1.

Crown Royal recap: All Heart

Mimi Voss and Betty Merck almost retired their star mare Guelph after Far Hills. The daring front-runner ran hard but couldn’t hold off Class Shadow, three years her junior and in receipt of four pounds. Like a daughter, Guelph pulls heart strings on her breeders/owners and a broodmare career beckons at the end of the season.

Noel Laing recap: Day Tripping

Jimmy Day entered maiden winner Triple Dip in the Noel Laing Stakes with some optimism. The trainer figured his horse belonged, despite just five lifetime hurdle starts.

The Pause That Refreshes

After several action-packed race meets, the NSA circuit takes a much-needed break this weekend and gears up for the final two dates of the year: the Colonial Cup Nov. 16 in Camden, S.C., and the inaugural Palm Beach Steeplechase in Florida Nov. 29. Several divisional championships hang in the balance as the season enters its final weeks. With five races and $240,000 in purses up for grabs at Camden, plus five races and $200,000 more at Palm Beach, things figure to go right down to the wire. Here's a look into the current standings.

Grand National recap: The Best Horse

To help jockey Willie Dowling cope with the pressure of riding Good Night Shirt, Jack Fisher often says “Ride him like he’s the best horse in the race.”

Together in California

Jonathan Sheppard couldn’t remember if he’d ever sent a horse to Santa Anita. Now, he’ll never forget.

Fisher out to make a million

Fresh off a remarkable four-stakes score at the Far Hills and International Gold Cup meetings, trainer Jack Fisher has a chance to make history Saturday when the jump circuit heads to South Carolina. The 17th annual Aiken Fall Steeplechase offers $65,000 in total purses, including the featured $25,000 Southern Bank & Trust Holiday Cup, and provides Fisher with the opportunity to enter the record books as the first NSA trainer to earn $1 million in a single year.