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Saratoga is about making it. Chad Brown and John Fahey III felt like they had made it when they won their first races at Saratoga.

Condition books don’t come with warning stickers. Perhaps they don’t need them. After all, the trainers who saw Ginger Punch’s name on the nomination list and still entered horses in today’s Grade I Go For Wand knew what they were getting into.

Thor’s Echo peered from his stall at the stakes barn and looked as interested as a Yankees fan listening to Terry Francona talk about his two World Series rings. The 2006 champion sprinter had descended upon the most famous racetrack in the world to run in today’s Grade II Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap . . . big deal.

And finally the turf. The Grade II Lake George provided what the first three days of the meet hadn’t – good old-fashioned turf racing when every move is magnified and trips mean everything.

“Nice article on Chad Brown winning his first race at Saratoga,” John Fahey III said while leaning on the racing office counter Thursday.

“Thanks. I’ll write the same one when you win your first.”

“OK,” Fahey said.

Here goes.

Eoin Harty leaned on the counter of the racing office and tried to occupy his mind. First he leafed through the New York Post with Ashley Dupre on the cover, then he listened to the Pat Reynolds show, then started worrying about last-minute training tweaks.

“Were they a big racing dynasty?”

Schuylerville favorite Ocean Colors wobbled to a stop, spread-legged just past the finish of the 6-furlong Opening Day stakes. The previously undefeated daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors emptied to finish last, and then felt the pangs of the effort. Her legs looked like four poles holding up a sagging tent as the early evening rain pelted her. Assistant trainer Scott Blasi slipped the bridle from her muddy head. Trainer Steve Asmussen helped dump buckets of water over her back. Chief veterinarian Dr. Anthony Verderosa choreographed and analyzed the hectic scene.

The grass looks like it’s been groomed by Vidal Sassoon. The walking ring could pass for a scale replica of the main track’s oval. The shedrow has fewer rocks than your swimming pool.

Nineteen years ago, Chad Brown clutched a program and a pen and begged for autographs from Saratoga jockeys. Brown and his parents would make their annual trips from their home in Mechanicville and 9-year-old Brown would pester Mike Smith, Chris Antley, Robbie Davis and any jockey who walked past for a signature. In between autographs, … Read more