From 1930 Travers winner Jim Dandy to 2007 Travers winner Street Sense, from the Sanford family to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Jerry Bull has seen it all.

The 94-year-old Bull hasn’t missed a single Opening Day here at the Spa in the last 77 years, and as Saratoga Race Course’ 2007 season winds done – closing day is Monday, September 3, Labor Day -- Bull’s a renowned clubhouse regular who knows and loves “…everything about the track, from one end to another.”

Bull, a warm, unassuming native of nearby Amsterdam, N.Y., is today “happily retired….about four times over.” A jack of all trades, Bull drove heavy equipment and built tanks during World War II, worked in a carpet mill in Amsterdam, drove a city bus for 10 years, and worked at Amsterdam Memorial Hospital. The proud father of nine, grandfather of 30, and great-grandfather of 35, Bull sits above the escalators in the clubhouse with his daughter, Shirley, as he describes how Saratoga has changed… for the better.

“Back in the 30s and 40s, the track had no atmosphere,” Bull said. “It wasn’t pretty to look at. It wasn’t anything like it is now.”

He pauses briefly.

“The only thing that has remained the same is the class of the horses,” he said. “ Saratoga showcases some of the best horses in the country.”

Bull has had the opportunity to see a pack of classy horses over the years, and among his all-time favorites are five-time Horse of the Year Kelso, War Admiral and Gallant Fox. Bull is also an enthusiastic fan of Hall of Fame jockeys Angel Cordero Jr. and Braulio Baeza, because “they really knew how to ride….and they are very likeable.”

Bull used to come to Saratoga every day with his wife of 65 years. She recently passed away.

“Some of my best memories are of me and my wife sitting in the box section,” he said. “They really know how to take care of you there.”

Bull’s daughter, Shirley, is another Saratoga regular who grew up at the track. “Mom and Dad used to take our family here all the time,” she says.

Bull has been to Belmont Park and Aqueduct, but Saratoga is by far his favorite track.

“Sure, Belmont and Aqueduct are great tracks,” he said, “but they don’t compare to the energy and spirit of Saratoga.”

So far, Bull has made it to the track four times this meet and hopes to get some more time in before the action moves back to Belmont Park on September 7.

Like many other fans, Bull found himself with too many empty August days during World War II, when there was no racing at the Spa. To pass the time, Bull went bowling and golfing with his family, but it didn’t compare to the afternoons he spent at the track.

“I missed it,” he said. “I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

As soon as racing resumed, Bull was back at the track.

Bull’s interest in the sport of kings stems from his interest in the horses and culture of the track. He is not an avid gambler now, nor was he in his youth. Bull does divulge, with a gleam in his eye, that he “always trusted his bookie” to take care of him when he would place a bet on big days at the Spa.

Bull contends that the bookies were more trustworthy than today’s SAM machines.