New York Racing Association

Saratoga Race Course Notes
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
By NYRA Press Office

Mambo in Seattle William S. Farish and Mrs. William S. Kilroy’s Mambo in Seattle drilled a half-mile under cloudy skies just before 6 o’clock this morning in his final workout for Saturday’s 139th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes presented by Shadwell Farm. The Kingmambo colt was timed in 48.19 seconds on Saratoga’s main track, which was listed as “good.” ... more

Whats Happening at Saratoga - Week 5
Monday, August 18, 2008
Contact: Mark Bardack

Racing from Across the Pond, Saratoga Race Course, 9:15 a.m. Racing fans can watch and wager on the best of British racing from the comfortable confines of Bunbury’s Pub in the backyard of Saratoga Race Course every morning and afternoon from Wednesday through Saturday ... more

Albany is Chance for Another Lecesse to Make Spa History
Sunday, August 17, 2008
By Francis LaBelle Jr.

Tin Cup Chalice On Wednesday afternoon, Tin Cup Chalice will attempt to become the first horse to win the OTB’s Big Apple Triple when he runs in the 31st running of the $150,000 Albany for New York-breds at Saratoga Race Course. Having won the Mike Lee at Belmont Park and the New York Derby at his home base at Finger Lakes, Tin Cup Chalice will earn a $250,000 bonus from the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing Program if he wins the nine-furlong Albany ... more

Saratoga Race Course Notes
Monday, August 18, 2008
By NYRA Press Office

Curlin Shortly after 6 o’clock this morning, under a clear blue sky, 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin finally got to work over the main track at Saratoga Race Course, drilling seven furlongs in 1:24.84 in his final serious move for the 55th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward here on August 30 ... more

Rough Weather Leads to Short Fields and Lower Handle, But Strong Weekend Points to Big Finish For Saratoga 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Contact: John Lee

Nearly four weeks of continuous rain causing a drastic reduction of turf races and a steep decline in betting interests have resulted in a nearly identical drop in on-track handle, but improving weather bodes well for a strong final two weeks of the 140th Spa meeting, according to the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) ... more

Saratoga Race Course Notes
Sunday, August 17, 2008
By NYRA Press Office

Desert Key Stronach Stables’ highly-regarded Harlem Rocker posted an impressive workout this morning over the Saratoga main track for trainer Todd Pletcher in preparation for next Saturday’s 139th running the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes presented by Shadwell Farm, for three-year-olds at a mile and a quarter ... more

Time to Pony up Praise for Racing's Unsung Stars
Saturday, August 16, 2008
By Shannon Casey

H. Allen Jerkens They are on the racetrack every day. They are prized by all, for they are used to calm racehorses, catch loose ones and even help educate fans. They are the stable ponies.On the racetrack, any horse that does not race is considered a pony, although they are full-grown horses. They can be of any particular breed. Some may be flashy paints, some seemingly ordinary. And some are even ex-racehorses ... more

Proud Spell Outgames Music Note in Thrilling Alabama
Saturday, August 16, 2008
By Jenny Kellner

Proud Spell Trainer Larry Jones brought Proud Spell to Saratoga Race Course to prove the petite daughter of Proud Citizen was the best three-year-old filly in the country. As far as Jones is concerned: Mission accomplished ... more

Ain't it 'Grand?' Ribaudo Nails Back-to-Back Sword Dancers
Saturday, August 16, 2008
By Francis LaBelle Jr.

Grand Couturier Trainer Bobby Ribaudo got the first Grade 1 victory of his career last summer when Grand Couturier came up the rail to win the Sword Dancer Invitational. Victory tasted so sweet that Ribaudo wanted seconds ... more

Saratoga Race Course Notes
Saturday, August 16, 2008
By NYRA Press Office

Divine Park Macho Again, a leading contender for next Saturday’s 139th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes presented by Shadwell Farm, breezed four furlongs on Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track Saturday morning in 50.15, a day after missing his scheduled work because of a reaction to his Lasix shot. He galloped instead ... more

Saratoga Race Course Notes
Friday, August 15, 2008
By NYRA Press Office

Macho Again The 139th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers presented by Shadwell Farm will be held on Saturday, August 23. The 1 ¼-mile “Mid-Summer Derby” is the oldest stakes for three-year-olds in North America and the centerpiece of the Saratoga Race Course season ... more

Sponsor Adds Intriguing Bonus to NetJet King's Bishop Stakes
Friday, August 15, 2008
Contact: John Lee

In addition to receiving the winner’s share of a $250,000 dollar purse and the prestige of a Grade 1 victory, the owner of the winning horse in the NetJets King’s Bishop Stakes will also be awarded a bonus of $50,000 in air travel with NetJets, the worldwide leader in private aviation ... more

Backseat Rhythm Rocks and Rolls in Lake Placid
Friday, August 15, 2008
By Jenny Kellner

Backseat Rhythm From the beginning, trainer Patrick Reynolds and owner Paul Pompa, Jr. knew Backseat Rhythm was a turf horse. It was just a matter of time, and timing, as to when the daughter of El Corredor would get the chance to shine ... more

Run Away and Hide Makes it Special
Thursday, August 14, 2008
By Francis LaBelle Jr.

Run Away and Hide Run Away and Hide, unraced since May 1, showed the benefits of a long rest by settling under jockey Robby Albarado and taking the inside path to a 1 ¼-length victory in Thursday’s 103rd running of the Saratoga Special for two-year-olds at six and a half furlongs at Saratoga Race Course ... more

Mani Bhaven Proves a Point With Adirondack Victory
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
By Francis LaBelle Jr.

Mani Bhaven When Mani Bhaven stepped onto the racetrack for the first time in a five-furlong maiden event at Delaware Park last month, she pleasantly surprised her connections with the ease of her 9 ¼-length victory ... more