Since the mid-1970s, I have been present at Saratoga Race Course, either as a journalist or as a race enthusiast. Each racing season offers its own unique set of remarkable displays, both by the participants and their steeds. Presented here are 10 notable moments from this past summer’s events:
UNSTOPPABLE FORCE: Regulars at Saratoga often advise newcomers to place their bets on trainer Chad Brown and/or jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. whenever their names appear on the day’s racing card. This summer, they reaffirmed their dominance. Brown clinched his fifth consecutive H. Allen Jerkens training title, sharing the top spot with Todd Pletcher, each achieving 32 victories during the 40-day meet. Ortiz Jr. secured his fourth Angel Cordero Jr. riding title in succession, and his seventh overall, surpassing his brother, Jose Ortiz, with 59 wins compared to 55. Pletcher, demonstrating exceptional skill in introducing his 2-year-old horses, claimed his 15th training title. Mike Repole, Pletcher’s primary patron, emerged as the leading owner, celebrating 14 wins.
A TRAVERS TRIUMPH: Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott had achieved victories in almost every significant race in the United States, except for the Travers Stakes, where he had a record of 0 wins out of 13 attempts, with three second-place finishes in the celebrated “Mid-Summer Derby.” Sovereignty brought an end to this puzzling streak with a resounding performance, winning by a significant 10-length margin under the guidance of jockey Junior Alvarado. “This is an achievement I have been anticipating,” expressed a relieved Mott. “I had a few races on my personal wish list, including the Met Mile, which we accomplished with Cody’s Wish [in 2023], and the Travers was the remaining one.” Sovereignty, a homebred of Godolphin, became the first horse since Thunder Gulch in 1995 to complete the sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers.
A TRUE CHAMPION: Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna reminded everyone of her extraordinary talent by displaying great determination to narrowly defeat Dorth Vader by a nostril in a thrilling stretch duel during the Personal Ensign Stakes. This victory marked the seventh Grade 1 success for the 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna. “She demonstrated the qualities of a true champion,” commented jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. “My role was simply to stay out of her way. She took the initiative to make her move, and I allowed her to proceed naturally.” Trainer Ken McPeek added, “It was not as straightforward as we would have preferred, but she is a champion, and that is the reason she prevails.” Thorpedo Anna achieved her 12th victory in 15 career starts, along with a pair of second-place finishes.
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS: Brown, hailing from the nearby town of Mechanicville, N.Y., finally achieved success in the Whitney Stakes when Sierra Leone, expertly guided by Flavien Prat, surged from the back of the pack to claim victory. Brown, renowned as one of the nation’s top trainers, developed a deep passion for the sport through his family’s annual visits to Saratoga Race Course during the summer. “Growing up in this region, the Whitney and the Travers have always been the focal point of the entire race meet since its inception,” Brown stated. “To finally win one of these races with my parents, my brother, and both of my daughters present creates memories that will last forever. This is a very difficult race to win, and it requires having the right horse.” Sierra Leone finished second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup on the final weekend of the meet, potentially affected by an early bumping incident.
A SMARTY CELEBRATION: The Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the National Museum of Racing became a celebration of Smarty Jones as the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner headlined the latest class of inductees. The resilient Pennsylvania-bred horse became a local hero in Philadelphia, reminiscent of Rocky, with his unexpected rise to national prominence during a Triple Crown campaign ultimately thwarted by longshot Birdstone. “He was more than just a racehorse; he was a symbol of hope,” stated trainer John Servis. “Whether it was his journey from humble beginnings to success or his unwavering determination, fans connected with him. He reminded us all of the reasons we are passionate about this sport.” The horses Decathlon and Hermis, along with trainer George Conway, were selected by the Historic Review Committee. Edward Bowen, Arthur B. Hancock III, and Richard Ten Broeck were recognized as Pillars of the Turf.
TWO PROMISING YOUNG HORSES: Spendthrift Farm experienced a successful Labor Day weekend when their homebreds Tommy Jo and Ted Noffey emerged victorious in the Spinaway Stakes and Spendthrift Farm Hopeful Stakes, respectively. The latter’s name seems to be the result of a spelling error when attempting to name the colt after general manager Ned Toffey. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez, Ted Noffey won impressively by 8 ½ lengths. “I believed it was a strong group of horses, but he left no doubt about his dominance,” Toffey said. “It was a truly remarkable performance.” Tommy Jo, also under Pletcher’s training, and Ted Noffey share the same sire, the highly sought-after stallion Into Mischief. Adding to the significance, Tommy Jo is named after Spendthrift owner Eric Gustafson’s granddaughter.
ANOTHER POTENTIAL STAR: Ewing, a colt by Knicks Go named in honor of Hall of Fame New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing, demonstrated remarkable tenacity in outdueling the highly regarded Obliteration by a length in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes. Despite a slow start, the colt quickly moved to the front in the 6 ½-furlong race under jockey Jose Ortiz. When Obliteration challenged him, Ewing responded and completed the race in 1:18.03 for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. Ewing had previously made an impressive debut, winning by 12 lengths on July 5 at Saratoga. Questions about Ewing’s stamina for longer distances remain. “I would like to see him run farther,” Casse said. “However, my desires and reality do not always align.”
MORE THAN JUST A NAME: Riley Mott, son of Hall of Famer Bill Mott, celebrated his first graded-stakes victory when World Beater won the Grade 1, $750,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes. Junior Alvarado, substituting for Jaime Torres, was aboard for the significant win. Torres was scheduled to ride but was unable to arrive on time due to a flight delay caused by adverse weather. It was particularly meaningful for Mott that his family was present for this important moment. “Saratoga represents my childhood; it is my playground,” he said. “I cannot count the number of times my father and I have walked down to the winner’s circle. Having him and my extended family here made this truly special.”
A TOUCHING VICTORY: Emotions ran high for trainer Melanie Giddings and her team when Leon Blue secured victory in the Rick Violette Stakes for New York-bred horses. Giddings’ key assistant, Melissa Cohen, and another important member of the team, Fausto Flores, had both worked for Violotte before his passing from cancer. Violotte was a strong advocate for horsemen and Thoroughbred aftercare. “I have some of the finest individuals from Rick’s team, and they continue to miss him deeply,” Giddings said. “They still speak of him often, so winning this race in his honor is especially meaningful.” The Rick Violette Stakes also held significance for 19-year-old jockey Christopher Elliott, marking his first stakes win.
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER: Trainer Bob Dunham, maintaining his vitality at 87 years old, demonstrated his ability to train a winner at Saratoga when New York-bred Come Full Circle reached the winner’s circle on Aug. 1 in a maiden claiming race for Casner Racing. Dunham currently manages a small stable of two horses. He plans to enter Kaaterskill, a New York-bred filly who has already achieved a victory, in the fall meet at Aqueduct. She won her maiden race last December. Dunham began his training career over 50 years ago and considers himself “semi-retired.” His graceful aging serves as an inspiration.
