40 Days and 40 Nights

[OTM Al]

I'm sure someone's going to complain about it, but I think it is the right way to go and besides, I can catch a few more eateries to review...

http://www.nyra.com/belmont/stories/Oct072009.shtml

[lamboguy]

i have to admit they did a tremendous job this year at the spa and was blessed with great weather.

going into the meet i honestly had my doubts about how well they were going to do because of all the horses that came out of the 2 yo intraining sales in ocala. they overcame that and put on the best meet in many years.

bigtime congradulations to the people that worked to make the meet a big success.

[offtrack]

Thanks OTM Al for the 2010 update on the always changing Saratoga meet.

When do we learn what the weekend giveaways will be?;)

It will be interesting also to see which eateries have survived for another year, and what new places have opened in 2010.

Later-

[ghostyapper]

A definite plus. I would even make it start the middle of july and run through labor day.

[Java Gold@TFT]

I'm sure someone's going to complain about it, but I think it is the right way to go and besides, I can catch a few more eateries to review...

http://www.nyra.com/belmont/stories/Oct072009.shtml
Yep, put me in the "hate it" group. Another example of squeezing the lemon dry (although Saratoga is far from a lemon). First we got the Woodward and now we get the CCA Oaks. So that means two G-I 10F 3yo filly stakes races at the meet now? It absolutely cheapens the Alabama. Then starting on a friday instead of wednesday? Other than putting the new days on a weekend what is accomplished? Oh, I know, increased attendence and handle compared to Belmont but in the long run a diluted Saratoga product. By 2020 will Saratoga open the day after the Belmont Stakes? A mile and a half would be awkward at Saratoga.

And for the record I LOVE Saratoga. It's home to me. But like other things I still don't like expansion just for the sake of expansion. Sort of like the baseball wild card which I also still hate. If you can't win your own 6 team division after 162 games why should you be able to win the World Series with 11 more wins? But that's a different argument. Please leave Saratoga alone..PLEASE.

[SaratogaSteve]

I'm worried now that it's 6.5 weeks, what's to stop moving the start of the meet to the July 4 weekend? No more. Saratoga can handle 36-42 days. No more.

[ghostyapper]

First we got the Woodward and now we get the CCA Oaks. So that means two G-I 10F 3yo filly stakes races at the meet now? It absolutely cheapens the Alabama.

As it does the woodward. They shouldn't have 2 grade one 9 furlong races for older at the same meet. They should move the woodward to 10 furlongs.

A few years ago they at least had the saratoga special, which was 10 furlongs for older. But now I don't even think they have a 10 furlong race for older.

I'm in favor of extending the meet but not moving more big stakes races to saratoga.

[phatbastard]

saratoga special was a 2 yr old race

[samyn on the green]

The ten furlong race is the now defunct Saratoga Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_Breeders%27_Cup_Handicap), (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_Breeders%27_Cup_Handicap)As it does the woodward. They shouldn't have 2 grade one 9 furlong races for older at the same meet. They should move the woodward to 10 furlongs.

A few years ago they at least had the saratoga special, which was 10 furlongs for older. But now I don't even think they have a 10 furlong race for older.

I'm in favor of extending the meet but not moving more big stakes races to saratoga.

[ghostyapper]

The ten furlong race is the now defunct Saratoga Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_Breeders%27_Cup_Handicap), (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_Breeders%27_Cup_Handicap)

Yes sorry I meant the saratoga bc, not the special.

[OTM Al]

Yep, put me in the "hate it" group. Another example of squeezing the lemon dry (although Saratoga is far from a lemon). First we got the Woodward and now we get the CCA Oaks. So that means two G-I 10F 3yo filly stakes races at the meet now? It absolutely cheapens the Alabama. Then starting on a friday instead of wednesday? Other than putting the new days on a weekend what is accomplished? Oh, I know, increased attendence and handle compared to Belmont but in the long run a diluted Saratoga product. By 2020 will Saratoga open the day after the Belmont Stakes? A mile and a half would be awkward at Saratoga.

I don't understand how it cheapens the races if they are being run at essentailly the same point in time, but just at a different track. Seems to me it would make the races better as horses could ship for 2 races rather than just one.

I would assume the friday start is so that the staff is able to stay at Belmont through Sunday rather than basically having to be out before the Saturday races are over. Makes sense from a logistical point of view.

One would guess that if racing ever ends at Aqueduct, the Saratoga meet would occupy much more of the summer than it already does. That would also make quite a bit of business sense.

[phatbastard]

i don't get around very well these days, and crowds aren't my favorite thing, but even from afar, The Spa racing is the the nutz......never fails to get my juices going, and profits most seasons

i can't see any reason to think the competition will suffer from 4 more days

[Tom]

Oh boy!
4 more days of rain every year!


Farmers will luv this!:rolleyes::D