NYRA Expands 2010 Saratoga Meeting By Four Days
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Contact: Dan Silver

On the heels of a successful 2009 race meet at Saratoga Race Course, The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will expand the 2010 season by four days, a revision that will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Next year’s Saratoga meet will begin on Friday, July 23 and consist of 40 racing days. It will feature a Wednesday through Monday live racing schedule that will go through Labor Day, Monday, September 6. ... more
Handle and Attendance Top NYRA Projections, Outperform Industry Trends as 141st Saratoga Meet Concludes
Monday, September 7, 2009
Contact: Dan Silver

A sensational six weeks of thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course came to a close today with final handle and attendance figures surpassing projections prior to the meet and decisively outpacing nationwide wagering statistics. ... more
Dublin Gives Lukas His Fifth Three Chimneys Hopeful
Monday, September 7, 2009
By John Scheinman

Dublin
 Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas believed from the start the $525,000 he paid last year for the chestnut colt Dublin at the Keeneland yearling sale was money well spent. On Monday, the enormous son of Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex backed up his optimism, powering through the stretch to win the 105th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful on closing day at Saratoga Race Course. ... more
Dominguez, Rice, Ramseys Win Saratoga Titles
Monday, September 7, 2009
By Ashley Herriman

While jockey Ramon Dominguez continued to dominate the competition in New York, winning the jockey title for the 36-day meet at Saratoga Race Course by a comfortable margin with 45 wins, a new face jumped to the top of the trainer standings. Linda Rice, with 20 wins, narrowly edged out Todd Pletcher in the final days of the meet to become the first woman to win a training title at Saratoga Race Course. ... more
Free Grandstand Admission This Weekend at Belmont Park
Monday, September 7, 2009
Contact: Jenny Kellner

Thoroughbred racing returns to beautiful Belmont Park this Friday, September 11, with free grandstand admission Friday, Saturday and Sunday as the action-packed Fall Championship Meet begins. First race post time is 1 p.m. ... more
Rachel-Zenyatta Could Light Up Belmont’s Fall
Monday, September 7, 2009
Contact: Jenny Kellner

A dream matchup between racing’s leading lady, Rachel Alexandra, and the undefeated mare Zenyatta could light up the 2009 Fall Championship Meet should they both accept their invitations to the Grade 1 Beldame on Super Saturday at Belmont Park. The Beldame, which will be run for the 70th time, is one of five Grade 1 races on Saturday, October 3, the centerpiece of the 33-day Fall Championship meet which begins on Friday, September 11 and runs through Sunday, October 25. ... more
Mushka Resolute in Glens Falls
Monday, September 7, 2009
By Jenny Kellner

Mushka
 Brushwood Stable’s Mushka took the lead from front-running Zaskar on the far turn and galloped home a 1¼-length winner in the 14th running of the Grade 3, $110,500 Glens Falls Stakes on closing day at Saratoga Race Course. ... more
Saratoga Race Course Notes
Monday, September 7, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

Pletcher and Rice
 Heading into today’s final card of the 141st meet at Saratoga Race Course, Linda Rice holds a slim 20-19 edge over Todd Pletcher in the battle for supremacy among trainers. Rice has never won a training title at a meet in New York, while Pletcher has 19 separate meet titles, including six at Saratoga – 1998 and 2002-06. ... more
Hot Dixie Chick Struts Stuff in Grade 1 Spinaway
Sunday, September 6, 2009
By John Scheinman

Hot Dixie Chick
 If you’re trainer Steve Asmussen, how do you follow the mesmerizing and historic victory of superstar filly Rachel Alexandra against older horses in the Grade 1 Woodward? Why, you show up to Saratoga Race Course the following day and take the 118th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway for 2-year-old fillies with the blazing Hot Dixie Chick ... more
Al Khali Gets First U.S. Stakes Score in Saranac
Sunday, September 6, 2009
By Jenny Kellner

Al Khali
 Al Khali charged into the lead rounding the far turn and went on to a 1¼-length victory over El Crespo Sunday afternoon at Saratoga Race Course in the 102nd running of the Grade 3, $107,000 Saranac Stakes. ... more
Saratoga Race Course Honors Commentator
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Contact: Dan Silver

Commentator
 The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) paid tribute to one of the fastest and most popular horses in racing when the recently-retired Commentator was honored Sunday, September 6, at Saratoga Race Course. ... more
Saratoga Race Course Notes
Sunday, September 6, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

Pyro
 Amid the justified fanfare for Rachel Alexandra after her historic victory over older males Saturday in the Grade 1 Woodward, a comeback kid named Pyro got somewhat overlooked. Once a rising star himself after dazzling victories in the Grade 3 Risen Star and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby last year, Pyro was swept aside by the Triple Crown run of Big Brown and his own disappointing off-the-board finishes in the Blue Grass Stakes and Kentucky Derby. ... more
NYRA Offers $350,000 Late Pick Four Saturdays at Belmont Park
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Contact: Dan Silver

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced that it will offer a $350,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 Saturdays at Belmont Park during the 2009 Fall Championship Meet. The meet begins on Friday, September 11, with the first Guaranteed Late Pick 4 offered on Saturday, September 12. ... more
Rachel Rules at Saratoga Race Course
Sunday, September 6, 2009
By Jenny Kellner

Rachel Alexandra
 Standing outside his barn at Saratoga Race Course on a sparkling Sunday morning, trainer Steve Asmussen was still basking in the glow of Rachel Alexandra’s historic victory in the 56th running of the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes as he reported the filly came out of the race in good shape. ... more
In Woodward, Rachel Alexandra Was Great
Saturday, September 5, 2009
By Jenny Kellner

Rachel Alexandra
 In an electrifying display of courage and tenacity, Rachel Alexandra made history at Saratoga Race Course Saturday afternoon, taking the early lead and turning back a furious late challenge from Macho Again to become the first filly ever to win the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes. ... more
Woodward Post-Race Conference Quotes
Saturday, September 5, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

Rachel Alexandra
 Winning trainer Steve Asmussen of Rachel Alexandra: “[Calvin getting dumped before the race] wasn’t a concern after she won. I’m nervous about everything. I’m nervous until they put her number up. I’m very proud of the outcome. The (fractions) might have taken a couple of years off my life, but it’s worth it. ... more
Pyro Lights Up Forego
Saturday, September 5, 2009
By Ashley Herriman

Pyro
 In an impressive return to form, Godolphin Stable’s Pyro got up late for a half-length victory over favored Kodiak Kowboy in Saturday’s 30th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Forego at Saratoga Race Course. ... more
Interactif Surprises In With Anticipation
Friday, September 4, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

Interactif
 Longshot Interactif rallied three-wide on the turn to take over at the top of the stretch and pulled away to a 4¼-length victory over favored Jung Man Scott Friday afternoon in the 5th running of the Grade 3, $109,500 With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. ... more
Saratoga Race Course Notes
Friday, September 4, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

Rachel Alexandra
 Leading Horse of the Year candidate Rachel Alexandra galloped a mile Friday morning and is set to take on history tomorrow when she faces seven older males in the 56th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes. The 3-year-old winner of the Preakness, Mother Goose, and Haskell Invitational is attempting to become the first of her sex to win the nine-furlong Woodward. ... more
Injured Jockey Michael Straight To Be Honored Saturday Jockeys Nationally Asked To Donate One Mount Fee To Medical Fees
Friday, September 4, 2009
Contact: Jockeys’ Guild, Inc.

Michael Straight
Jockeys throughout the U.S. and Canada will exhibit their unified show of support for apprentice jockey Michael Straight this Saturday. Straight was critically injured in a race at Arlington Park on August 26. Jockeys across the nation are being asked to donate one mount fee Saturday to the Don MacBeth Memorial Fund earmarked for Michael Straight to help defray costs of his long-term needs. ... more
America’s Racetrack Tops Off The Meet With All-American Labor Day Barbeque
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Contact: Mark Bardack

As horseracing fans prepare for the final call to the post, Saratoga Race Course will host a traditional Labor Day barbeque to bring the 141st meet to a close in true American style on Monday, September 7. Saratoga Race Course will provide fans with the chance to indulge in all-American barbeque favorites while enjoying the greatest thoroughbred racing in the world as part of Final Stretch festivities. ... more
Saratoga Race Course Notes
Thursday, September 3, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

Pletcher and Rice
 As the meet draws to a close, trainers Todd Pletcher and Linda Rice are tied for first in the trainer standings with 16 wins each going into Thursday’s card. All 16 of Rice’s victories have come on races carded for the turf, although two of those wins – Shot Gun Gal on August 23 and Hook Me Up on August 24, both maiden special weight contests – were in races taken off the turf. ... more
The Stretch Run at Saratoga is One For The Ages
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Contact: Dan Silver

The “Rachel Alexandra Show” will anchor an unprecedented series of special events and activities to mark the concluding days of the 141st meet at Saratoga Race Course. The highlight of the final stretch at Saratoga will be Rachel’s run for the record books as the 3-year-old filly seeks to make history, again, by becoming the first female to beat older males in the 56th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward on Saturday, September 5. ... more
Purses Jump Nearly 20 Percent From Incentive Program Through Spa Week Five
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Contact: Dan Silver

Purse hikes from the incentive program created to increase field size during the 2009 Saratoga Race Course meet total $553,990 through Week Five, a 19.5 percent advance over original purse values, according to The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). Purses have increased in 65 of the 302 races (21.5 percent) run through Monday, August 31. ... more
College Students to Kick Off New School Year at Saratoga Race Course
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Contact: Dan Silver

Saratoga Race Course will welcome college students back to their favorite course this fall with the first ever College Day on Friday, September 4, featuring a host of great prizes, giveaways and $1,000 scholarships to be awarded after each race by The New York Racing Association (NYRA). ... more
Super Filly Rachel Alexandra Runs for History on MSG Plus This Saturday
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

Super filly Rachel Alexandra runs for history this Saturday, Sept. 5 at 5:00 p.m. as she attempts to be the first female to win the $750,000 Woodward Stakes. The Preakness and Haskell winner will be featured on MSG Plus this Saturday during the network’s last installment of “Saturdays at Saratoga” ... more
The “Rachel Alexandra Show” Comes to Saratoga
Monday, August 31, 2009
By Jenny Kellner

Rachel Alexandra
 Audience participation will take on a new meaning this week as “The Rachel Alexandra Show” comes to Saratoga Race Course for Saturday’s 56th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes. With gates at the historic racetrack opening early at 7 a.m., just as they did on Shadwell Travers Day, the first 25,000 fans will receive a commemorative Rachel Alexandra ... more
Thousand Dollar Thursday to Usher in a Blockbuster Final Week at Saratoga Race Course
Monday, August 31, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will award 15 pari-mutuel wagering vouchers worth $1,000 each to fans on Thousand Dollar Thursday, September 3, to celebrate the final week of the 2009 meet. The 15 winners will have the opportunity to utilize the vouchers beginning Thursday through Monday, September 7, Saratoga’s closing day. ... more
Saratoga Race Course Notes
Monday, August 31, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

Rachel Alexandra
 Just before sunrise Monday morning, Rachel Alexandra worked a half-mile in 49.09 in preparation for her attempt to rewrite racing history in Saturday’s 56th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Clockers for The New York Racing Association, Inc. ... more
Saratoga Numbers Dip Slightly Through Week Five as Rain Hampers Weekend's Racing
Monday, August 31, 2009
Contact: Dan Silver

Attendance and handle turned fractionally down for the first time during the 2009 Saratoga Race Course meet after two inches of rain Friday night and Saturday lowered attendance on Shadwell Travers Day and forced seven of the weekend’s 11 carded turf races off the turf. Attendance is down 1.6 percent, on-track handle down 1.6 percent, and all-sources handle down 2.8 percent from 2008 totals through Week Five ... more
Icon Project Rolls in Grade 1 Personal Ensign
Sunday, August 30, 2009
By Jenny Kellner

Icon Project
 A little more than two months ago, in her first race on dirt, Andrew Rosen’s Icon Project ran off to a 13¼ length victory on the off-the-turf Grade 3 New York Stakes at Belmont Park. Sunday afternoon at Saratoga Race Course, Icon Project became a Grade 1 winner on dirt as she drew away to an equally impressive 13½-length victory in the 62nd running of the $400,000 Personal Ensign Stakes ... more
Saratoga Race Course Notes
Sunday, August 30, 2009
By NYRA Press Office

Summer Bird
 Summer Bird was every bit his usual self Sunday morning after a decisive 3½-length win in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Napping in his stall just after 8 a.m. following a walk around the shedrow, Dr. Kalarikkal and Vilasini Jayaraman’s colt woke before 9 a.m. to receive peppermints and observe the humans gathered outside his stall. ... more
Kensei’s Groom Wins Best-Turned-Out Horse Award In Shadwell Travers
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Contact: Jenny Kellner

Filipe Guttierez, the groom for Stonestreet Stables and Gulf Coast Farms’ Kensei, was awarded $500 as the winner of the Shadwell Farms “Best Turned Out Horse” Award for the Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers on Saturday. The Steve Asmussen-trained Kensei, ... more
The 'Other Bird' Takes Shadwell Travers
Saturday, August 29, 2009
By Jenny Kellner

Summer Bird
 Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird followed in the footsteps of his sire Saturday afternoon at Saratoga Race Course as he splashed his way to an imposing 3½ length victory over longshot Hold Me Back in the 140th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes ... more





   
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