From Mary Lou to Tom; 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, 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.

Todd Freakin’ Pletcher.  The guy is an unstoppable force.  Especially at Saratoga, where he has won with 100% of his two year old first time starters over the past decade (all numbers approximate).  He has won 7 Eclipse Awards as outstanding trainer.  He’s won 11 total Saratoga training titles, including the last 5.  He’s absolutely automatic at the Spa.

It’s not clear whether Todd Pletcher is human, or whether he is an alien sent to Earth specifically to train horses.  In fact, he may be a Centaur.  In any event, normal human beings — even exceptional human beings — have no shot.  He gets the best horses, the best jockeys, the best hairstylists and the best suitmakers (for the most part; see below).  His dominance of the training world is absolute.  For instance, he can repair horseshoes just by looking at them:

Here is Todd Pletcher mastering cold fusion in his barn in his spare time:

Look at that.  I bet Todd Pletcher does the Sunday New York Times crossword in pen.

Here is Todd Pletcher obscuring a stop sign:

When the cops came, they removed the stop sign because it got in Todd’s way.

Here is Todd in a top hat:

Look at him.  He is completely unphased by the ridiculous hat he is wearing.  He looks like Dr. Watson for goodness sakes!

Todd Pletcher basically can’t lose.  One time he tried to lose, and his horse won by a nose.  But Todd was pissed, because it was the first time he tried at something and didn’t accomplish it.

Here is owner Mike Repole kissing Todd Pletcher:

Mike’s a good kisser.  But that’s not why I posted this picture.  In all my online research, this is the only Todd Pletcher mistake that I was able to uncover.  What is going on with that suit Todd?!  You have made $294 million in purse earnings in your career!  Show a little cuff!

On a more serious note, Todd Pletcher has reached the ultimate level of notoriety for a Saratoga horseman.  A few years ago, before I left for the track, my Mom asked if would take $5 and bet it for her.  I said sure, entirely expecting to book whatever bet she made, given that her two handicapping criteria are: (i) horse’s name; and (ii) does the horse have any connection, no matter how remote, to Ireland.  She picked out a horse in a maiden race with a completely nondescript name, and with no ostensible connection to the Emerald Isle.  I was confused.    “Why did you pick that horse?” I asked.  She replied: “It’s got Pletcher and Velazquez, those guys don’t lose.”  I placed the bet, the horse won, and my mom made $3 on her $5 win bet.  That’s Todd Pletcher.

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