Horse Racing 2025

[Newhouser]

So Toga has not been hopping thus far for Belmont weekend, and the race is back next year as the construction project is behind at Belmont.

Did the powers that be expect crowds or just want to work the kinks out of the track before Saturday? I know the money is in the gambling but man the joint was empty.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

So Toga has not been hopping thus far for Belmont weekend, and the race is back next year as the construction project is behind at Belmont.

Did the powers that be expect crowds or just want to work the kinks out of the track before Saturday? I know the money is in the gambling but man the joint was empty.

I think there will be a pretty solid crowd today but the weather looks suspect to say the least. Looks like a ton of rain from 12 noon until 10 pm. Crowd should be solid tomorrow as it's the actual Belmont but I have to imagine the novelty of actually having the Belmont in Saratoga probably has worn off a bit after the first year and certainly not a cheap ticket. Driving up from Ithaca tomorrow morning, hopefully the weather holds up.

I also think the town is taking advantage of the short 5 day meet considering the pricing of everything. Yes, it's Saratoga but it just feels weird not being late July / August. It's still better than having it at Aqueduct but it still feels weird not having the Belmont at Belmont but not much you can do until the construction is completed.

Hopefully, the rain today doesn't ruin some of the turf stakes but it looks pretty bad today.

 

[upperdeck]

I will be there tomorrow. I wanted to make it one of the three times.

Last year they claim they sold out and had 50K in there
This year I dont think nearly as many will show
Weather is iffy

One thing thats interesting is that you can buy resale tickets but the price is the same as normal tickets. I guess they dont even let people try to dump off tickets if they over purchased?

Clearly trying to limit the partying with the policy on coolers and alcohol.

I wish you could re-enter some people wanted some merch but I dont want to haul things around all day especially if its raining.

none of my local family up there is attending so will be different than normal without all of them at the track,

also turning around for the 4th opening is gonna seem strange.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

I will be there tomorrow. I wanted to make it one of the three times.

Last year they claim they sold out and had 50K in there
This year I dont think nearly as many will show
Weather is iffy

One thing thats interesting is that you can buy resale tickets but the price is the same as normal tickets. I guess they dont even let people try to dump off tickets if they over purchased?

Clearly trying to limit the partying with the policy on coolers and alcohol.

I wish you could re-enter some people wanted some merch but I dont want to haul things around all day especially if its raining.

none of my local family up there is attending so will be different than normal without all of them at the track,

also turning around for the 4th opening is gonna seem strange.

I was there Wednesday. Pretty empty, some picnic tables never taken all day, but it was a beautiful day and alcohol was allowed in. Plus you got a nice hat. I loved every second of it. It was like when they use to run on Mondays.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I was there Wednesday. Pretty empty, some picnic tables never taken all day, but it was a beautiful day and alcohol was allowed in. Plus you got a nice hat. I loved every second of it. It was like when they use to run on Mondays.

Mondays were always the best at Saratoga

 

[kirbivore]

Pletcher / John Velazquez combo good enough for me. Crudo WPS across the board.

 

[phillydad]

I'm keying the 2 over 1/3/7 tri.

 

[storange]

Sovereignty, love that horse $$$

 

[upperdeck]

good race. but no money to be made. tough rainy start to the day but it was nice by the end. crowd seemed small for 45k attendance

 

[cliftonparksufan]

good race. but no money to be made. tough rainy start to the day but it was nice by the end. crowd seemed small for 45k attendance

I hit the 10 cent superfecta and it paid $4.05. But thats what happens when the top four favorites come in.

Overall, I hit a WPS, four exactas and the superfecta and had basically nothing to show for it.

 

[storange]

WPS bet on Sovereignty doubled my 45 total. I’m not a real gambler but I netted 200$ on the Derby and Belmont with Sovereignty. That’s a lot for me .

 

[phillydad]

I'm looking forward to a possible Sovereignty/Journalism rematch in the Travers.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Had a great time at the track yesterday once the rain stopped. The gambling kind of sucked with all the scratches and no turf racing. Nitrogen is a really nice filly. She is probably going to be better on grass but she skipped around that off track yesterday

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Listening to Mott and reading some stuff about Sovereignty, I do believe the Belmont not really being the Belmont, (distance and location) played a significant role in them not running the horse at the Preakness and taking a real shot at the triple crown. Read somewhere that Godolphin was of the mind set that it would be a triple crown with an asterisk. I can't say that I disagree with them. The Belmont at Saratoga is obviously still a great win and a Grade 1 but Godolphin never seemed too interested at taking a run at the triple crown with this horse

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I'm looking forward to a possible Sovereignty/Journalism rematch in the Travers.

I am too. I think Journalism will be sharp after a short freshening as well. Kudos to those owners for running him in all 3

 

[upperdeck]

My reason for fading Journalism is that his numbers had basically gone down the last several races in a row. He has looked good beating horses by running slower. The way that race ran sat had it been longer he probably finishes 4th or worse.

 

[upperdeck]

They said about 45K at the Belmont, but it was strange crowd. That many at a Travers seems busy, it was really quiet sat in many spots that are usually jammed.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

My reason for fading Journalism is that his numbers had basically gone down the last several races in a row. He has looked good beating horses by running slower. The way that race ran sat had it been longer he probably finishes 4th or worse.

Agreed, he needs to get some rest and maybe a jockey switch, he needs some pace to run at, IMO when running versus the best 3 year olds. That was his 5th race in about 13-14 weeks, that's quite a work load considering todays thoroughbreds

I think he needs someone to ride him that can really finish and not panic like a Rosario type. Rispoli is a great grass rider not sold on dirt but not sure if data backs that up just the way I always look at him but I don't bet California much

His best beyer number was a race in March with 10 weeks between races. Hopefully they freshen him up and come back for Travers in what looks to be about 10-11 weeks. That said, I bet there is a 50/50 shot that there is some ailment or small injury that will pop up between now and then

 

[IthacaBarrel]

They said about 45K at the Belmont, but it was strange crowd. That many at a Travers seems busy, it was really quiet sat in many spots that are usually jammed.

It was weird, I agree with you. There were a lot of people there but a lot of the outdoor spots were rather quiet. I hate days where all the turf racing goes to the dirt. It becomes a wild guessing game with a bunch of grass horses and no dirt form.

 

[Newhouser]

Think they change the schedule next year? Friday - Sunday maybe?

 

[upperdeck]

the schedule was great for the business around town. Prices were better and people hung out more. Not sure if the demand goes down more though. First one was an event. 2nd one many people didn't need to go back but some missed the first. 3rd one who knows.

And with opening just 3-4 weeks later it may be less a thing next year.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Think they change the schedule next year? Friday - Sunday maybe?

I don't think they sacrifice the handle on Wednesday and Thursday.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

the schedule was great for the business around town. Prices were better and people hung out more. Not sure if the demand goes down more though. First one was an event. 2nd one many people didn't need to go back but some missed the first. 3rd one who knows.

And with opening just 3-4 weeks later it may be less a thing next year.

Businesses were happy. NYRA was happy that the handle was up. Attendance was down on Saturday, and it's easy to blame the weather and a 50% spike in ticket cost.

 

[upperdeck]

I do wonder why they are trying to make it less of a party with not allowing things to be brought in like usual.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

I do wonder why they are trying to make it less of a party with not allowing things to be brought in like usual.

Because people are paying $14 for a beer and $19 for a Belmont Special cocktail.