Thoroughbreds and summer go together like pizza and beer, and first-class racetracks are vacation destinations all over the globe. The French adore seaside Deauville, the English gush over Glorious Goodwood, and Germans flock to Baden-Baden. Californians love Del Mar, where they can swim in the Pacific before tackling the pick 6.
But for most American horseplayers, nothing compares to Saratoga Race Course, the “Summer Place to Be” and home of the world’s best extended race meeting.
It’s never been more extended, because for the first time there’s a prequel. A week before the official 40-day meet begins Thursday (July 10), the Saratoga July 4th Racing Festival starts. Adding four upstate dates was a no-brainer for the New York Racing Association, which exits decrepit Aqueduct four days early. No one will complain.
The atmosphere is unique at America’s prettiest, most historic track, although “Horse Heaven” is no paradise. Prices for everything, from water bottles to a hotel room, will melt your credit cards while the friendly locals cash in with a vengeance. If you make the pilgrimage, prepare to get ripped off, but once you get over the shock, you’ll have a good time.
For those who bet horse racing, being there is not necessary. Most of the handle comes from internet wagering, and playing from your air-conditioned den is far superior to sweating on long lines at the track. I’ve been betting the Spa since 1982, and I’ll share insights gleaned from 43 eventful (and occasionally profitable) seasons.
1 Less Is More: The fewer races I bet at ultra-competitive Saratoga, the better I do. Self-discipline isn’t much fun but it’s crucial if you want to win. Over 44 days there will be more than 450 races. Hold your fire and pick your targets. Be selective and wait for overlays, which always appear.
2 Start Slowly: Don’t try to get rich in the first few days. If you do, you could be chasing losses early and forced out of your comfort zone. Remember, it’s supposed to be fun, not pari-mutuel combat.
3 Avoid Chaos: The Spa features many fields with horses who never raced there or against each other. There can be six or seven logical contenders in a race, and you can’t play them all. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know,” and just watch.
4 Million Dollar Babies: Dozens of well-bred, expensive 2-year-olds debut at Saratoga, and it’s fun to wonder which ones will turn into the stars of tomorrow. Look for youngsters with win-early pedigrees who get action but aren’t over bet.
5 Horses for Courses: Some horses dominate at Saratoga but struggle elsewhere. Any horse who’s won there deserves respect even if it’s in a slump. Every year these Spa specialists reverse their form and score at big prices. It’s glorious to be on board when that happens.
6 The Rich Get Richer: Yes, Saratoga is “The Graveyard of Champions” and obscure jockeys and trainers have their moments, but not that many. The country’s top horses, trainers and riders will excel, as they always do. The trick is to figure out when they might be vulnerable favorites.
7 Speed Is Key: Horses on or near the early lead historically win most dirt sprints at Saratoga, particularly early in the meet. Give extra credit to horses who can set the pace or sit close to it. Deep closers don’t win often, but they can get up in time going short or long, on dirt and turf, if the fractions are quick and they avoid traffic problems.
8 Turf Tips: Deep, talented fields of grass horses are tricky to handicap but potentially lucrative. Avoid far outside posts in turf routes, particularly on the inner course, and in 5½-furlong sprints. Closers do better in the longer races than in the sprints, where tactical speed is a plus.
9 Respect Shippers: Saratoga’s prestige and huge purses lure horses from all over North America, complicating the handicapping puzzle. Don’t overrate New York-based stables. Pay special attention to horses from Kentucky, which arguably has the nation’s best day-to-day racing.
10 Know Your Strengths: I find maiden claimers, cheap claimers and most New York-breds hard to figure, so I rarely play those races. I prefer grass racing to dirt and favor stakes and allowances over claiming events. I know good handicappers who specialize in cheap dirt races and avoid stakes and anything on turf. It all depends on where you feel comfortable.
