Last week of Saratoga....is anyone getting depressed ?
 

I know there is so much to do and see around Saratoga but it always gets depressing when track season comes to a close. I feel like Saratoga Springs life revolves around the track. Without it there would be no life in that city. Which leads me to this question , how come the season is so short ? I feel as though the last week of June going into Labor Day seems more fitting. Anyway I should be making a final visit this week. Hope to see some of you all at the track.

how can anyone be depressed? we have Belmont at Aqueduct to look forward to!

Yes, Welcome BAQ~! :rolleyes:

Too bad trainer Mary Cotter is retired. :D

To me, the end of the Saratoga Summer is synonymous with Labor Day : that last day, that last race, that last stretch drive, that last flash of the toteboard, that lump in your throat as you pass along Union Avenue knowing school is back, but the playground is closed. Always leaves me melancholy wondering what happened since screaming "They're off at Saratoga!" either in-person or at my television set.

But to be special, it has to have an end - a very definitive end. Here's the date, here's the time - after that, you wait until next year.

Let me give you something uplifting about the season's ending. If you have read The Saratoga Special, you know that the last article of each edition goes to Sean Clancy and his "Cup of Coffee" column. If you go back over the many years of those columns, every one captures the heart and soul of these eight weeks. Sometimes, as with this year, so much more.

However, my personal favorite comes from the closing edition of the 2018 paper. Sean wrote, "So over the next 10 1/2 months (please don’t open July 4), sure, the days will feel so long, but remember, the years will feel so short. See you in a lot of long days and a very short year."

Enjoy the final six days of 2022 and see you in a very short year!

I like this very much. Thanks for the response. I agree very much when you say for something to be special it must have an end. Labor Day is the absolute best ending day for a myriad of reasons. It’s the start date that could be a bit earlier. Heck July 4th week would probably be huge for the racetrack. Independence Day to Labor Day at one of the greatest tracks and places in the country...now that makes sense.

I love Saratoga also. Never been there but hear it's beautiful. One of these years I will get there. Travers Day was fantastic! I believe Saratoga is one of the oldest racetracks in the United States.

Listening to Byk Friday morning talking about how much he enjoys watching the replays of prior Travers shown on the track the morning of the Travers. Well, they did for years; this year they decided to play moldy oldies instead. Nice tradition down the drain to cater to non-racing fans who attend Travers day.

Sparse paddock analysis; a few races it sounded like Michelle Yu, spending time talking about horses's records, stuff you can find in the PP's, rather than physicality.

Were regaled by the Siena band on the screen though.

Not to mention the foolish jockey intros, feeding the belief into a lot of fans who don't follow racing closely that the jockeys are more important than the horses.

Did fix the problem of people leaving while horses are entering the track. Yelled at Ginny Reid to get off the horse path.

I understand the NYRA trying to cater to once a year fans, but some people there are more interested in information.

The live camera feed with the jockeys popping through like they were at the Super Bowl was the silliest thing I’ve ever seen NYRA do. The feed BTW was horrible constantly freezing etc. IDK about anyone else but it’s not a good first impression to charge $32.00 for a sandwich and soda obviously preying on the first time vacationers. Personally the gate fee I find quite reasonable in comparison to any other live event. Heck I’ve seen people pay 125 for a football game ticket and pay another 50 to park. I just wish NYRA would come up with a different plan in regards to concession costs.

Did you know you can bring your own food and drink?

I’m surprised they don’t charge for that rust flavored spring water they have...at least that is free.

Last week of Saratoga....is anyone getting depressed ?

Unpopular opinion alert! Depressed? Good Grief I enjoy Saratoga as much as any bettor, I even had the chance to see the Travers in person the year Catholic Boy won, but come on its still just another betting opportunity in a landscape full of them. Sure I dont live there so I dont understand the historical allure, the city and area is beautiful but its still just another race meet.
Instead of getting depressed take a look at the full cards and juicy odds at Ky Downs starting tomorrow. Saturdays card has 2 500K races and 1 million dollar race all with full fields. After they close is BAQ, CD, Keeneland and Breeders Cup. No reason to be depressed..
Dont get me wrong I love betting Saratoga but the meet closing is not a reason to hang your head.

You didn’t answer his question. Why complain about food and drink prices if there is a much better option available?

It was a great meet this year in several ways. The usual muggy day downpours didn't happen, so very few races were off the turf. The turf racing was superb. There were a lot of overlays and usable longshot winners that weren't impossible to find. I had a great meeting, although I wish I could have been there, we had too many other things planned this year. Flavien Prat is about as good as it gets on turf.

Of course I know you can bring food in...that wasn’t my point. There are a lot of first timers, vacationers that don’t have all the first hand knowledge of a regular. “ Hey honey looks like a pretty cool racetrack let’s go and check it out , oh wait let’s stop at the supermarket and buy a refrigerator of food before we go. Don’t worry I will lug it around all day as we enjoy the races”. Saratoga isn’t the first venue to be opportunistic when it comes to over pricing for concession food. I just wish one of these places would take a stand on it.