Dark Tuesday 7/31/07-attendance figures

On this first dark Tuesday of the season, here are some Attendance and Handle figures to ponder:

The New York Racing Association reporting a 14% increase in attendance and double-digit increases in handle during the first six days of the session.

Total attendance for the first six days of the meet was 169,134, up from 148,279 in 2006. The daily average of 28,189 was up from 24,713 in 2006.

On-track handle at Saratoga increased 20% to $21,080,631 from $17,538,037 in 2006 for a daily average of $3,513,439 compared with $2,923,006 in 2006. Total handle rose 13% to $100,293,710 from $88,774,948 in 2006, for a daily average of $16,715,618 compared with $14,795,825 in 2006.

2007 week one results

Week one of the 2007 season at the Spa is now complete. The first week featured good weather, no rain, and attendance was up over compared to week one in 2006.
Week one highlights.
Winners included Lawyer Ron setting a track record in the Whitney and Street Sense winning the Jim Dandy.
This week forecast is for Hot weather with little to no rain. Look for a solid week with great races, great horses and alot of fun.
See ya at the Track

Opening Day Saratoga 2007

Well folks, as I write this we are less than 48 hours away from Day 1, opening day at the legendary Saratoga Race Course, July 25, 2007. If you are anywhere near the track and get away from work or other commitments, get to the track. It is an experience you wont forget. It is the most exciting 6 weeks in these parts and a jewel to behold.

Racing wise you will have stakes races everyday, great purses and plenty of betting opportunities. I will be posting frequently with predictions, recaps, comments on the Saratoga Scene. For day one, remember that Sartoga has always been a track of hot trainers and jockeys. The opening week features The Whitney on Saturday 7/28/07. See ya at the track.

Renovations to Race Course

Good news to Visitors to the Saratoga Race Course in 2007. NYRA has announced that 1.2 million in renovations to the track have been completed. This includes a new copper roof on the clubhouse, refinished wood floors in the clubhouse area, new aluminum roofs over the TV pedestals in the backyard area and hot water in the grandstand concession areas and rebuilding of 5 barns. Regardless of your feelings on NYRA you have to admit that the Track is always beautiful and will be even prettier this year.

Only 15 days left to opening day 2007.

The triple crown races are now finished for 2007, Belmont is almost over and soon the most glorious track in North America, Saratoga will open again.

Rags to Riches showed the boys how it is done at the Belmont Stakes. The big question now is will she take a run at them again in the Travers Stakes, Saratoga's biggest race for 3 year olds. My guess, is no, she will stay with the fillies and most likely run the Alabama Stakes on August 18th at the Spa.

Expect to See Street Sense at the Travers, who will most likely run the Jim Dandy on July 29th as a prep. Curlin will try the Haskell at Monmouth on August 5th, so I don't expect Curlin to run in the Travers only 3 weeks later.

July 25th is opening day and posts will be done as much as possible with sightings, predictions and anaylsis from the spa.