Saratoga Racetrack: Winning Here Means Something More

As I hunker down to compose this piece I realize that in less than 72 hours they’ll be loading them into the gate for kickoff of the 2008 season at historic Saratoga Racetrack. I’ll skip all the customary commentary about the romance of the beautiful town with its Victorian architecture, the great eateries, and superb nightlife. Those stories have been done to death, right? Instead I’ll wax poetic about the great racing we’re all about to witness and hopefully be involved with. There’s something about racing at Saratoga, some unwritten prestige, where winning a race at the Spa is much more important or exciting than winning anywhere else. Our trainer Steve Klesaris said, after Iron Curtain’s recent second place finish, “It’s more fun winning at Saratoga anyway.” Why is that? I’m not really sure but it’s undisputed.

It’s primarily for that reason that the best horses in the world ship in for the six-week meet. There’s no question that the stakes calendar, from top to bottom, is unparalleled in any other race meet. That’s fine. But why is even winning a $25,000 claimer at the Spa so much sweeter? Why is it every owner’s fantasy to have their picture taken at Saratoga? Although there are many intangibles there are some sound reasons, too.

NYRA traditionally boosts its purses across the board for the Saratoga meet. For example, at Belmont the Maiden Special Weight carries a purse of $52,000. At Saratoga it’s $62,000. At Belmont the N1X Allowance is $55,000. At Saratoga it’s $67,000. Those inflated purses attract better horses and create larger, more competitive fields. The racing is more difficult as is the wagering but you wind up with more exciting and meaningful races along with nicer payouts on higher winning prices.

If that isn’t enough, NYRA recently announced an innovative program where, beginning with the Saratoga meet, they’re going to increase purses for open company route races based on the number of horses in the race. For dirt races at 9 furlongs and longer, they will inflate the purse for every betting interest over six horses that start. For dirt races longer than 9 furlongs, they will inflate the purse for every betting interest over eight that start. The purse hikes will be $5,000 for Maiden Special Weight, $8,000 for N1X, N2X, and N3X Allowances, and $10,000 for Money Allowances and Overnight Stakes. As an example, an open N2X Allowance at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt with 10 betting interests will get a purse increase of $32,000 from the current $70,000 to a staggering $102,000. This type of incentive program is unprecedented in racing and should provide huge incentives to race at the Spa.

The other side of the coin is the New York-bred program. Those of us who race New York-breds receive the benefit of inflated purses in our own division, however don’t get the disadvantage of stronger competition. For New York-breds at Belmont the Maiden Special Weight purses is $46,000. At Saratoga it’s $56,000. At Belmont the N1X Allowance is $49,000. At Saratoga it’s $61,000. Extremely enticing. However, unlike open company races where horses ship in from all over the country to try to grab a piece of those purses, these races are restricted to New York-breds. The runners are generally facing the same cast of characters they’ve been facing downstate at Belmont and Aqueduct. There aren’t many, if any, New York-breds that have been racing outside of the state that ship in for the Saratoga meet. We get to compete for more money but the races aren’t any more difficult. What’s not to like?

A few days after that it should be Iron Curtain contesting a N1X Allowance. Perhaps 1 minute and 9 seconds after they open the gate we’ll be standing in the Saratoga winner’s circle getting our picture taken. Can’t get here fast enough.

                                                                                    - Mike Oliveto, CEO Hibiscus Stables

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Hibiscus Stables Vintage 2008 Update

Hibiscus Stables is pleased to announce that interest in our Vintage 2008 has been very strong. Some of these horses are nearly sold out. Don't get shut out. Our three outstanding graduates of the OBS March Selected Sale of Two-Year-Olds are progressing along right on schedule.

Below is a short description of our new offerings. To learn more, visit our Offerings page for complete details, pedigree and to watch their videos.

Video	Yonaguska Colt This impressive colt is by leading stallion Yonaguska and a Distorted Humor mare. According to The Blood Horse stallion register Yonaguska was the #1 freshman sire and the #1 sophomore sire nationally. This colt will fit squarely with our state-bred program. He’s by a rock-solid open company sire and a mare who’s by one of the top sires in the world. He is bred for open company yet is eligible for state-bred purses. He's a registered New York-bred and will run on the Belmont/Aqueduct/Saratoga circuit. He'll be trained by 28% winning trainer Steve Klesaris.
Video	Good and Tough Colt This athletic colt is by multiple graded stakes winner Good and Tough and a multiple stakes winning mare. Good and Tough is currently ranked 4 on the regional sire list in Louisiana and has produced numerous stakes winners. Our colt’s dam, Tarzena, has won numerous stakes including the $150,000 Spirit of Fighter Handicap. He’s by an established open company sire and a stakes winning mare. He, in effect, is bred for open company yet is eligible for state-bred purses. He's a registered New York-bred and will run on the Belmont/Aqueduct/Saratoga circuit. He'll be trained by 28% winning trainer Steve Klesaris.
Video	Forest Wildcat Filly This lovely filly is by top stallion Forest Wildcat and a G3 winning and G3 placed mare. Forest Wildcat is a leading stallion and is currently ranked 16 on the national sire list. He's already produced numerous graded stakes winners. Forest Wildcat is by leading stallion Storm Cat. Our filly's dam, Scratch Paper, is a G3 winning and G3 placed mare who's already produced one stakes placed runner. She's a registered Florida-bred and will run on the Santa Anita/Hollywood Park/Del Mar circuit and will be trained by 20% winning trainer Ron Ellis.

If you have any questions or would like more details about Vintage 2008 please contact us at 1-877-WIRE-2-WIRE or reply to this email. We look forward to hearing from you.                                                                

Saratoga-Enjoy your day at the Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

There are lots of things to do in Saratoga in addition to attending the races. For many years beginning in the 1800’s, folks have been flocking to this bucolic setting to “take the cure”. The springs emanating from the bedrock below contain large amounts of minerals touted for their health benefits. The chloride eases arthritis pains and the carbonation stimulates circulation and lowers blood pressure. Drinking the water is said to aid digestion. There remains three places in Saratoga where you can partake in the pleasures that have long been enjoyed by other visitors.

They all have mineral baths along with other spa treatments including massage, aromatherapy, facials, wraps etc. I’ve heard through the grapevine that the couple’s massages are tres romantique! Here they are:

Lincoln Memorial Baths, 65 Broadway 518-582-2880
Crystal Spa, 120 Broadway 518-584-2556
Roosevelt Baths and Spa (at Saratoga State Park) 518-226-4790

Looking for other things to see and do? Here’s a short list. For more, see this month’s trivia.

Children’s Museum at 65 Caroline Street. Includes a “real” village. Kid sized with a general store, post office and more.

Canfield Casino adjacent to Congress Park. Original “edifice of sin” which housed the casino at the turn of the century. Upstairs you can see the large rooms where Diamond Jim Brady and his clan spent thousands at the tables along with period furnishings and costumes.

National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame Union Ave across the street from the track. Artwork, memorabilia, trophies and all things horse racing. Lots of interactive displays make it fun for kids. Induction for trainers, horses and jockeys takes place there every August. 518-584-0400.

                                                                                     - Doris Ann Hayes, Hibiscus Stables

 

D.A.'s Trivia Corner - Saratoga History, Art and Racing

As the Saratoga meet is set to begin, we put a new spin on our trivia feature this month by including questions ranging from history to art with a little bit of racing thrown in.  And if you plan to be in Saratoga, be sure to check the answers for some helpful contact information for interesting places.  And as always, let us know when you will be up and we will meet you at the Spa!

See below for answers.

                                                                                      - Doris Ann Hayes, Hibiscus Stables

Answers to Trivia: 

1.  Answer: A. Charles Lindbergh's 1928 Franklin is housed in the Saratoga Automobile Museum. The museum is located within Saratoga State Park. It houses many older models and one-of-a-kind cars. 518-587-1935

2.  Answer: B. Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery is located on the grounds of Skidmore College. It features stunning architecture housing some of the world’s most prolific modern art collections. 518-580-8080.

3.  Answer: D. Ulysses S. Grant came here in June of 1885 and for the last 6 weeks of his life, wrote his memoirs. Grant’s Cottage is unchanged from the time he passed in 1885. The clock on the mantelpiece was stopped the moment he died. A short stroll on the grounds takes you to Eastern Overlook with spectacular views of the Hudson Valley. Rte. 9 to McGregor Rd in Wilton. 518-587-8277.

4.  Answer: B. The Big Apple Triple is composed of the Mike Lee, the New York Derby, and the Albany. A bonus of $250,000 is awarded to the horse that wins all three.

5.  Answer: C. General John Burgoyne surrendered here in 1777. The Battle of Saratoga is considered by many historians to be the turning point in the Revolutionary War. Immediately following Burgoyne’s surrender, France recognized America as and independent country. Saratoga National Historic Park is located in Stillwater about 15 miles from downtown. 518-664-9821.

6.  Answer: Daniel Chester French (1850-1931) is best known for his seated Lincoln housed in the Lincoln Memorial. He also designed the medal for the Pulitzer Prize. His “The Spirit of Life“ is found in Congress Park, along with beautiful gardens, several springs and an enclosed carousel with antique horses.

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