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[westernmassbob]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

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.