We are officially at the half way point of the 36 day Saratoga Race Meet. On the 18th day we had what else-rain. It rained all day today- it was heavy at times-and 4 more races were taken off the turf for a total of 24 races taken off the turf thus far this meet..
So the biggest stories thus far at least from my vantage point are:
1. The Weather--Rain, Rain, and more Rain. Even when the day starts out sunny, rain comes in at some point and rains at least part of the day. The rain has often times been very heavy-including opening day, Friday August 8th, resulting in a cancelled card after 2 races, and today. We also have had lightning and hail, by my count on 3 different race days at the track.
2. Attendance-down from last year. Attendance through the first 18 days this year totaled 405,616, down 18.9 percent compared with the 500,280 fans who attended the first 18 cards last year. This includes a rain shortened card on August 8th.
3. Curlin to run in the Woodward--Just the shot in the arm the Spa needed. Curlin will run on August 30th on the Dirt in the Woodward.
4. Pletcher--Todd Pletcher has returned to the top of the Trainer Standings with 10 wins including 5 wins for his 2 year old's (out of 15 that ran)
5. A better second half of the meet--With such lousy weather everyone has been pointing to the last 3 weeks which feature a strong Alabama Field-Proud Spell, Little Belle and possibly Music Note, a full Travers Field (including possibly filly Music Note) and Curlin in the Woodward on the last weekend.
The weather calls for more rain through Thursday but Sunny for Alabama Day and the long range forecast calls for nice and dry weather for the last 10 days in August.
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