Memorable 150th anniversary meet at Saratoga
Sept 2, 2013 22:42:27 GMT -5
Post by Jon on Sept 2, 2013 22:42:27 GMT -5
Memorable 150th anniversary meet at Saratoga concludes with Ramseys, Pletcher, Castellano earning titles in a highlight-filled season
By Jenny Kellner
NYRA POress Release
Ken and Sarah Ramsey set a record for victories by an owner at Saratoga Race Course, 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, September 2.
"So many things contributed to the success of this meet," said New York Racing Association CEO and President Chris Kay. "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 Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap, Princess of Sylmar's Grade 1 triumphs in the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama, reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan's win in the Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap, Alpha's return to the Spa winner's circle in the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward, and Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas's two Grade 1 victories, in the $1 million Travers with Will Take Charge on August 24 and in the Hopeful with Strong Mandate on September 2, his 78th birthday.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez became the all-time leading rider at Saratoga on July 27 when he broke fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey's mark of 693 victories. Velazquez, Bailey and Hall of Famer Angel Cordero, Jr., 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. 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 NYRA CEO & President Chris Kay in a winner's circle ceremony on August 31, 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 victories with Cross Traffic in the Grade 1 Whitney Invitational Handicap and Princess of Sylmar in both the Grade 1 Alabama and Grade 1 TVG Coaching Club American Oaks.
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. Highlighting the meet for Castellano, who had finished second for the past three years, were Grade 1 victories aboard Princess of Sylmar in the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks and the Alabama. Finishing second was Hall of Famer John Velazquez (46), with Joel Rosario placing third (41).
Ken Ramsey
PHOTO/Adam Coglianese
NYRA CEO Kay honors Ken and Sarah Ramseuy for theirrecord-setting meet as leading owners.
PHOTO: Eric Kaley
By Jenny Kellner
NYRA POress Release
Ken and Sarah Ramsey set a record for victories by an owner at Saratoga Race Course, 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, September 2.
"So many things contributed to the success of this meet," said New York Racing Association CEO and President Chris Kay. "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 Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap, Princess of Sylmar's Grade 1 triumphs in the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama, reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan's win in the Grade 2 Fourstardave Handicap, Alpha's return to the Spa winner's circle in the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward, and Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas's two Grade 1 victories, in the $1 million Travers with Will Take Charge on August 24 and in the Hopeful with Strong Mandate on September 2, his 78th birthday.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez became the all-time leading rider at Saratoga on July 27 when he broke fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey's mark of 693 victories. Velazquez, Bailey and Hall of Famer Angel Cordero, Jr., 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. 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 NYRA CEO & President Chris Kay in a winner's circle ceremony on August 31, 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 victories with Cross Traffic in the Grade 1 Whitney Invitational Handicap and Princess of Sylmar in both the Grade 1 Alabama and Grade 1 TVG Coaching Club American Oaks.
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. Highlighting the meet for Castellano, who had finished second for the past three years, were Grade 1 victories aboard Princess of Sylmar in the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks and the Alabama. Finishing second was Hall of Famer John Velazquez (46), with Joel Rosario placing third (41).
Ken Ramsey
PHOTO/Adam Coglianese
NYRA CEO Kay honors Ken and Sarah Ramseuy for theirrecord-setting meet as leading owners.
PHOTO: Eric Kaley