Saratoga Race Track is located in Saratoga Springs, New York. Racing since 1863, this track has hosted some of the most well known and loved Thoroughbreds of all times. The quality racing continues today and all weekend, 8/2 through 8/4/19. First race posts daily at 1 P.M. ET. Before the day is done, Saratoga will host a card of 10 including the Alydar, the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, and the Saratoga Oaks, the second leg of the all new Turf Tiara. Saturday is Marylou Whitney Day in honor of their recently deceased “Queen of Saratoga.” The stakes that day, on a card of 11 races, include: the Fasig-Tipton De La Rose, the Fasig-Tipton Lure, the GI Longines Test, the GIII Troy, the GI Whitney, the GII Adirondack, and the GIII Fasig-Tipton Waya. The Whitney is a Win and You’re In berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Finally, Sunday features 11 more races. Be sure to catch the John Morrissey and the Saratoga Derby, the second leg of the new Turf Trinity. The Turf Trinity for male 3 year-olds and the Turf Tiara for 3 year-old fillies make a combined 6 race series, the new Turf Triple Series worth $5,25 million dollars in purses. Keep up with this Saratoga meet, racing through September 2nd.
The Saratoga Sale will take place immediately following this weekends racing. Fasig-Tipton in Saratoga Springs hosts the 2 day event on 8/5 and 8/6. 223 yearlings are catalogued for evening sales that begin at 6:30 P.M. ET daily. This sale dates back to 1917. Many of the greatest Thoroughbreds in history have been sold at this auction, including Man o’ War and Funny Cide. What yearling sold in 2019 will go on to be Horse of the Year?
Meanwhile, the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame inducted their new class today. I am especially thrilled for one of the new Pillars of the Turf, James E. “Ted” Bassett III. The museum is located in Saratoga Springs. It was founded in 1951 by Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney. In addition to the vast collection of equine art, in 1955 the organization began to recognize the best American thoroughbreds, trainers and jockeys. Because the committee evaluates inductees on both a historical and contemporary premise, many of those selected are already deceased prior to their election. At times, as it was this year, some inductees pass prior to the ceremony. Marylou Whitney narrowly missed being able to accept her own induction this year. Fortunately, she was named as a 2019 inductee back in April. Sixteen new members were inducted 8/2/19.
In the category of Hall of Fame thoroughbreds, there were 3 new inductees. My Juliet, Royal Delta and Waya were honored today.
- My Juliet: This filly was as KY bred and Keeneland Sales Grad, foaled in 1972. Her dam was My Bupers and her sire was Gallant Romeo, sired by Hall of Fame Gallant Man. My Juliet had 36 career starts in which she won 24 times including many graded stakes and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. She has been previously honored as an Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter.
- Royal Delta: Another great KY bred and Keeneland Sales Grad filly was born in 2008. Born to Delta Princess and Empire Maker she won 12 of 22 starts. Royal Delta was honored with three prior Eclipse Awards; Champion 3 year-old Filly, and twice, consecutively, Champion Older Mare. She won the BC Ladies’ Classic two times.
- Waya: This French bred filly was foaled in 1974 to War Path III and Faraway Son. She raced in France before moving to America for her 4 year-old career. She is credited with 14 wins in 29 starts. She earned an Eclipse Award for Champion Older Mare. She also set a world record on turf.
There was only one jockey to be honored this year. Craig Perret received Hall of Fame induction. He was born in New Orleans but at age 68, he is retired and living in Kentucky. His racing career began in 1966. He won 4,415 of over 27 thousand career starts. He is both a KY Derby winner and an Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey . He is credited with 4 BC wins.
The other winners were all Pillars of the Turf, the name chosen for those awarded for having “made extraordinary contributions to Thoroughbred racing in a leadership or pioneering capacity at the highest level.”
- Bassett III, James E. “Tedd” : Mr. Bassett is one of the very few people recognized internationally that I have the pleasure of knowing. I met him at Keeneland’s track kitchen, bought his book, watched his made for television special a few times and I became enamored. He is alive and well and racing horses today. He doesn’t like to talk about himself much so it was a special to me that he was honored and made his speech today. Bassett is a native of Lexington, KY and a war hero. He got involved in racing in 1968 when he went to work for the Keeneland Association. He promptly became President of Keeneland, he stayed on until 1986 at which time he became chairman of the board, then a trustee and trustee emeritus. Bassett than became Breeders’ Cup President. He served on the Jockey Club, President of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations and trustee for the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame. He serves other equine and educational organizations too, including the Kentucky Horse Park and Equibase. He is an Eclipse Award of Merit recipient and has earned awards all of the world. His speech was short and sweet but he forgot to take my advise and end it with Go, Perfections, go! Lookout for her on the track very soon.
- Chenery, Christopher T.: This former farm owner and breeder is credited with founding the early New York Racing Association and Meadow Stud. The thoroughbreds he stood and owned were both champions and sires to champions. Chenery himself is the father of Penny Chenery, the owner of the famed Secretariat.
- Duchossosis, Richard l. “Dick”: He owned Arlington Park race track and was key in the founding of the famed Arlington Millions race. He is a Jockey Club member, and was involved with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as well as other racing associations for which he has been honored with many awards.
- Farish, William S.: He owns the very successful breeding farm, Lane’s End in KY. He has 3 Eclipse Awards and spent time on the board at the Breeders’ Cup, Churchill Downs, Jockey Club and Keeneland.
- Hettinger, John: He owned Akindale Farm and became a prominent owner at Fasig-Tipton. He was a member of the jockey club and several other equine organizations. His passion was thoroughbred aftercare. He authored “After the Finish Line” and created Blue Horse Charities to provide thoroughbred retirement. He has won an Eclipse among other awards.
- Keene, James R,: He was an owner and a breeder. He controlled Castleton Farm in KY. He is responsible for breeding world renowned champions.
- Kilroe, Frank E. “Jimmy”: He was the racing secretary and the handicapper at many different race tracks. He was vice president and board member of many equine organizations and publications too. Kilroe has several awards including an Eclipse.
- Phipps, Gladys Mills: She owned and operated Wheatley Stable out of Claiborne Farm in KY. She is responsible for the breeding of many stakes winners and champions. Some of her best were Bold Ruler and Seabiscuit.
- Phipps, Ogden: The brother of Gladys Mills, Ogden, also owned Wheatley Stable. He won several Eclipse Awards and served as chairman of the Jockey Club.
- Whitney, Helen Hay: Former owner of Greentree Stable in Lexington, KY. She bred nearly 80 stakes winners including Hall of Fame champions.
- Whitney, Marylou: Widowed by C.V. Whitney of Whitney Farm in Lexington, KY Marylou grew to be an avid race fan. C.V. sold his horses as he was passing to prevent her from being burdened with them but she bought them back and created her own Marylou Whitney Stables. Her stable was a success and bred several fine winners. She did a lot of great work to assist with thoroughbred aftercare and other charities. She was the “Queen of Saratoga” and she is dearly missed. Marylou was an Eclipse Award winner among other honors.
- Wright Sr., Warren: Responsible for turning his family farm Calumet, in Lexington, KY into a thoroughbred farm. This became one of the most legendary race farms in history. Triple Crown winners Citation and Whirlaway were both bred and raised by Calumet as were over 70 more stakes winners and champions.
Watch the ceremony here :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l3AHIsTvgk
I wish I was at Saratoga right now but until then I’ll keep blogging from the Thoroughbred Capital of the World. Thanks for sharing.
