Hypothetical 2009 Saratoga Day Trip

This remains quite alive, with 8/8 remaining the target date . . .

There's a marginal chance that outside work issues will thwart me, but it's not likely
they'll frustrate the grand plan . . .

My projections have me driving up for early-morning arrival . . . hope to stay in the
area overnight, Saturday, but that's still not certain . . . \

Updates, as they occur.

 

Fasig-Tipton (horse auction company's) Festival of Racing will be the weekend in
question. Lotta promotions, including a couple of bizarre "contests" (best turned out horse, best turned out lady, etc.), a Legends of Racing speaker series, and a Bobby Flay book signing . . .

 

This remains alive. I'm almost certain to be there, now, beginning Whitney morning.

 

I have to be at work at 1, so no go. Have fun for me!

 

Boo.

 

PMs have gone out to those having expressed a degree of interest. We'll see where we're at.

 

Gorgeous day, up there. Spectacular crowd. Dressed to the nines, in the clubhouse-box area. Certain public areas
(grandstand apron . . . and the undercover area servicing clubhouse entrants -- Jim Dandy
bar, and the adjacent public multi-screen
area leading to the stairs to the clubhouse boxes) were as crowded as I've ever seen them. Bottled water: $3.50. Siro's prices: domestic canned bear $4.50, imported $5.50, well drinks
$6, call drinks $8 . . . a $5 cover for access to the post-race band area with the open-air bar -- outrageous . . .
indoor bar area was absolutely mobbed . . . noveaus were tipping the hostess $100
for access to one of the umbrella tables
across from the Funny Cide bar . . .
it is to laugh.

Downtown parking is tougher than ever,
in large part due to some of the newer
hotels, but there are ways, if you're willing to walk a couple of short blocks
and go towards Circular Street. Sperry's
now features a jazz trio on Saturday night, so main room was crowded, though
the garden area behind wasn't bad at all.

Saw the world in the paddock prior to the Test and the Whitney. It's good to see lots of people at the races, especially at the First Church of Saratoga.

 

Got there a shade too late for the third-race winner ($17), but caught the
Whitney. Superb price on a horse who
figured right there, if you throw out his
synthetic non-effort in his last start. . . easy to do. 2-1 on Commentator was
silly. 2-1 on Macho Again was bad, bad value.

 

I guess if anyone had hit the $87,000 superfecta in the last race we would have heard about it by now.

 

You could actually make a case for the winner at the price, though wasn't involved, and watched the thing at the Funny Cide bar at
Siro's. Second horse in there was a very, very tough make.