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.

It is often said that every night is a party in Saratoga. There is always something exciting going on, whether it’s Saturday Night at 11pm or Tuesday at 7:30. A perfect example of that is one of the biggest and most high-profile events during the Saratoga season was this past Monday and Tuesday evening: The Fasig-Tipton Select Yearlings Sales.

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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.

A Saratoga institution.  That much is not in dispute.  Here is how the current Siro’s website describes it:  “[t]he origin of the restaraunt’s name dates back to 1945 when Jimmy Siro, maitre d’ at the Waldorf Astoria, purchased the Lincoln Avenue eatery that was known as The Maranese Restaurant.  And it was off to the races [Ed. Note: nice double entendre] for this trackside restaurant.  A Saratoga institution, the original Siro’s has been a staple on the upstate social circuit since it opened. ”

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga – Siro’s →

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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.

Its unavoidable.  No matter what entrance you go in, its intertwined with the fabric of the Saratoga experience.  The Wizard, The Pink Sheet, The Saratoga Advantage, The Lady.  You are going to have tip sheets thrust into your face as you try to make your way to the entrance.  Chances are this will be equal parts amusement, annoyance, and appreciation for the tradition, as you press forward to the gate trying to balance your past performances, phone in your bet for the first race (inevitably, you are arriving at 12:58 no matter when you set out for the track), and negotiate the rigorous security “check” of your cooler full of beer and sandwiches.  But Saratoga simply wouldn’t be Saratoga if you didn’t approach the gates surrounded by the cacophony of touts yelling “5 winners yesterday!”  WE HAD 6 WINNERS YESTERDAY!” “$500 Pick 3 yesterday!” “Had the Pick 4 last three days in a row!”  Its the sound of the track welcoming you back.

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Old money. Like founding-of-the-republic old money. The Whitneys have had money since before the United States of America was born during that hot summer in Philadelphia in 1776. They have all of the trappings of old money too – Yale (too many Yale degrees to count), prep school, big industry, philanthropy, you name it. They are the bluest of the blue-bloods.

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga–The Whitneys →

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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.

Yes this is a Salute to Saratoga, but the traditions and institutions that make this place great are not limited the confines of the track. It is often said, to achieve greatness you have to be willing to go the extra mile. If you are looking to fill your belly and still have enough money to bet the pick six, that extra mile will lead you outside the Nelson Avenue entrance to place tucked under a pair of oak trees, which we lovingly call the “Grease Shack”.

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga–The Grease Shack →

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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.

In all sports, greatness is honored. Heroes are vaulted to a level of immortality by placing them in household names like Cooperstown and Canton. Thoroughbred horse racing is no different, and it makes sense that this sports history is honored in the town where it has been supported continuously for over 150 years. The National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs pays homage to the heroes and figures who made this great sport what it is.

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga–National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame →

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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.

To kick off Whitney week, we decided it would be most appropriate to reminisce on our old friend, and two time Whitney winner, Commentator.  A gelded son of Distorted Humor, Commentator was one of the fastest horses to ever take the track, and his front running style often led to open-length wins, oftentimes by double digit margins.  His two most significant wins, however, were undoutedly the 2005 and 2008 Whitney Handicaps.

Continue reading 40 Days: A Salute to Saratoga — Commentator →

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