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The second week of the extended 2026 Saratoga Race Course meetings kicks off Thursday with a another nine-race card and a rare day without a stakes race here in upstate New York. How’s your bankroll faring after opening weekend? Fear not if it’s not up to par, there’s plenty of time to make up for … Read more
Jeff Matty was only 13 when Smarty Jones captured the collective heart of the horse racing world by coming within a length of winning the Triple Crown in 2004. (Queue Tom Durkin: “And Birdstone wins the Belmont Stakes.”) In his third year as executive director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Matty came up with … Read more
By Tim Wilkin When it was over, trainer Kenny McPeek admitted he didn’t have his super filly Thorpedo Anna at her absolute best in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing. But she was good enough. The runaway leader of the 3-year-old filly division overcame a tricky trip and won the 1 … Read more
On Friday afternoon in a hotel lobby as legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas discussed Seize the Grey’s chances in the Grade 1, $1 million betPARX Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing, it was suggested to him that it looked like his horse was going to the lead. “If he does, he’s going to be very tough … Read more
Next up for Next is Parx’s Greenwood Cup Next. That would be two things. It’s the name of a horse that has been chewing up marathon races over the last two years. And it would be the name of the race upcoming for the 6-year-old gelding. That is the 1 1/2-mile, Grade 3, $200,000 Greenwood … Read more
Editor’s note: The Saratoga Special’s Tom Law and Paul Halloran are part of the notes team working this week’s Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing. Here are Thursday’s notes previewing those Grade 1 events. When Rick Waller acquired One Stop as a broodmare prospect, it would have been hard for him to imagine … Read more
The end. Well, almost the end. Monday marks the close of the 2024 Saratoga Race Course meeting. An 11-race card is on tap for Day 39 – one scheduled day was lost due to weather – and the Grade 1 Hopeful tops the slate. A field of nine entered the traditional Closing Day feature, including … Read more
Down to two. Only a pair of cards remain for the 2024 Saratoga Race Course meeting and everything gets going Sunday with a 13-race program highlighted by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup. The 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup attracted a field of seven led by Whitney winner Arthur’s Ride and … Read more
And that’s a wrap. We bring the 2024 publishing schedule to a close with Issue 20 of The Saratoga Special. The final issue of the season packs a punch, with 64 pages and previews of the closing weekend action featuring stacked cards Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The Grade 1 Spinaway and Flower Bowl highlight Saturday, … Read more
The 2024 Saratoga Race Course meeting continues to roll toward the end, but there’s still plenty left and the final weekend starts with a 12-race card Friday. The card begins at 12:35 p.m. – make sure to check post times from here through Labor Day – and features the Grade 3 Saranac for 3-year-olds on … Read more
The final week of the Saratoga Race Course meeting rolls on with a 11-race card Thursday topped by the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes for 2-year-olds on the grass. The 1 1/16-mile With Anticipation attracted a field of nine and two runners entered for the main track only. Two European imports – Zulu Kingdom for … Read more
