From Mary Lou to Tom Durkin; Jim Dandy to Fourstardave; Siro’s to backyard tailgating; and morning workouts to give aways–Saratoga has a cast of heroes, customs, and institutions which make it, in our opinion, the most unique sporting venue on Earth. Over the next 40 Days of the 2015 Saratoga Meet, we will profile 40 of these legends and traditions, adding our own memories and experiences from 30 plus years of summering at the Spa. It’s our Salute to Saratoga. We hope you enjoy following along.
Day 1: Opening Day and Durkin’s “They’re Off at Saratoga” Call
“Saratoga represents a reaffirmation of racing as enjoyment, of the original forces which first called it into being. You come away feeling that, well, there is going to be a good deal of concrete and gravel in your horoscope for a goodish while, but afterward there will be Saratoga again, with its shaded paddocks…”
The eleven months of concrete and gravel described by legendary writer Joe Palmer have dissipated, and today we begin a 40 day retreat to shaded paddocks, enchanted mornings, and live longshots. It’s Opening Day at Saratoga! Or as we grew up calling it: Christmas Morning. It’s the day racing fans first circled on their mental calendars 325 days prior. And as this Thorbro’s favorite day of the meet, it’s the perfect tradition to kick off our #40Days Series.
For many, Opening Day is like a family (albeit a very eclectic family) reunion where they reconnect with fellow meet goers and racing buddies, parking attendants, tellers and bartenders that we haven’t seen in almost a year. It’s also Saratoga’s seasonal debut, a chance to check out the latest improvements and newest concessions. Everybody at the track is in a fantastic mood.
While Opening Day at Saratoga is unlikely to feature the best races or betting opportunities of the meet, the anticipation of the day is unrivaled. As a kid, I remember circling the date on my NYRA calendar and waiting anxiously for my dad to bring home Friday’s Racing Form on Thursday so I could see which jockeys and trainers would be making their home at the Spa that year. In high school and college, I caddied at a golf club in Southern Vermont, about 30-45 minutes (depending on who was driving) from Saratoga. The whole shack was abuzz as Opening Day neared. Golfers knew they had to take carts on Opening Day because every caddy at or around 18 was heading to Saratoga. Our Opening Day festivities would kick off with an “eve of” party, filled with beer pong and handicapping, followed by a next morning caravan to Saratoga, where anticipation overpowered hangovers. Our Opening Day tradition was rewarded in 2005 when a jumper named “The Looper” won the first race of the meet. The Year of the Caddy was off and running.
2011 Opening Day was the backdrop for my bachelor party. As if I needed any more obstacles that weekend, temperatures on Opening Day Eve reached triple digits in Saratoga. We still had our racing forms out poolside, drinking plenty of water (Coors Light) to stay hydrated, as we prepared for the big day. I can’t say I have a ton of vivid memories from that Opening Day, but I was told it was great time.
I’m not alone with my cherished Opening Day memories. Many in attendance have their own set of Opening Day memories and traditions, as illustrated by this local news clip
Of all the Opening Day traditions, our favorite is Tom Durkin’s now famous “And They’re Off at Saratoga” call for the meet’s first race. Every year the call seems to build more and more momentum, with Tom eventually enlisting the crowd’s assistance with the call. Of course, Durkin retired to greener pastures. However, Larry Collmus noted on Twitter that he intends to keep the tradition alive. Here is a clip of the gold standard, Larry:
Unfortunately, life sometimes interrupts the ability to make the first race on Opening Day. But that doesn’t mean the same anticipation and excitement can’t be felt by fans streaming the races from their smartphone or office desktop. I have an ambiguous “Meeting” blocked off on my calendar from 12:45 through 1:15 today. Wherever you are–whether lucky enough to be at Saratoga or following from home–I urge you to take the time to watch the first race, listen to Larry channel his inner Durkin, and join your fellow Saratoga family members in proudly proclaiming—They’re Off at Saratoga!
Let the 40 Day party begin.
