Ramseys, Pletcher, Castellano earn titles at 150th Saratoga
meet
Ken and Sarah Ramsey set a record for victories by an owner at Saratoga, with
trainer Todd Pletcher taking his fourth consecutive training title and Javier
Castellano earning his first riding title at the conclusion of a celebratory
150th anniversary meet on Monday.
“So many things contributed to the success of this meet,” New York Racing
Association CEO and President Chris Kay said. “Most notable was the racing which
— day in, day out — is the best in the country.
“There also were many wonderful events including our Jockey Appreciation Day
honoring John Velazquez, Jerry Bailey and Angel Cordero Jr., and those made
possible by the Saratoga 150 Committee, including our birthday celebration on
Whitney Day and the $15,000 wagers courtesy of Marylou Whitney and John
Hendrickson. I want to thank all the jockeys, trainers, owners and fans who
supported our meet, and also the men and women of the New York Racing
Association who strived to deliver a great guest experience to all.”
Among the racing highlights of the 40-day meet were Cross Traffic’s sparkling
victory in the Whitney Invitational Handicap, Princess of Sylmar’s Grade 1
triumphs in theCoaching Club American Oaks and Alabama, reigning Horse of the
Year Wise Dan’s win in the Fourstardave Handicap, Alpha’s return to the Spa
winner’s circle in the Woodward, and Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas’s two
Grade 1 victories, in the Travers with Will Take Charge on August 24 and in the
Hopeful with Strong Mandate on September 2, his 78th birthday.
Velazquez became the all-time leading rider at Saratoga on July 27 when he
broke Bailey’s mark of 693 victories. Velazquez, Bailey and their fellow Hall of
Famer Cordero were honored in a special ceremony on August 23 as the track’s
three all-time leading riders, with a special commemorative plaque honoring
their achievements displayed outside the jockeys’ room.
As well, recently retired rider Ramon Dominguez was honored in the winner’s
circle on August 25, when he was presented with the reinstituted Mike Venezia
Award by NYRA and the trophy for his third straight Eclipse Award, which he was
unable to accept in January after suffering a career-ending spill. A $15,000
donation on behalf of Dominguez was made to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys
Fund, with proceeds from closing-day admissions also going to the PDJF.
The tradition of the track’s community involvement continued with the annual
Fabulous Fillies Day on August 14, when more than $100,000 was raised to benefit
the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
The Ramseys, who were recognized for their record-breaking meet by Kay in a
winner’s circle ceremony on Saturday, had 22 winners, capped by Big Blue
Kitten’s triumph in the Sword Dancer Invitational on August 17, one of three
Grade 1 wins on the day around the country for the owners. It was the third time
the Ramseys had been the leading owners at the Spa, having taken the title in
2008 and 2009. The previous record for victories by an owner was 18, set by
Zayat Stable in 2007.
Pletcher, a winner of 36 races, added his 10th career H. Allen Jerkens
training title, also having been Saratoga’s leading trainer in 1998, 2002-06,
and 2010-12. With the 10th title, Pletcher surpasses Hall of Famer Bill Mott for
the most meet titles by a trainer. Meet highlights for Pletcher included the
major victories scored by Cross Traffic and Princess of Sylmar.
Chad Brown was the second-leading trainer with 24 wins, with Kiaran
McLaughlin and David Jacobson tying for third with 16 wins each.
During the 40-day meet, Castellano registered 66 wins, including five on
closing day, to take his first Angel Cordero Jr. riding title. Castellano, who
had finished second for the past three years, rode Princess of Sylmar to her big
wins at the Spa. Finishing second was Velazquez (46), with Joel Rosario placing
third (41).
Thoroughbred racing moves downstate to Belmont Park for the 37-day fall meet
beginning Saturday and running through October 27. Live racing is generally
conducted Wednesday through Sunday, with a first race post time of 1:05 p.m.
(EDT) during September and 12:50 p.m. in October. For information on the Belmont
Park fall meet, please visit nyra.com or
call (516) 488-6000.
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