NYRA Press Office
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today that Saratoga Springs resident Wilfred "Wil" Reed has won the inaugural Saratoga Showdown Sweepstakes Grand Prize, collecting a 2018 Belmont Stakes VIP Package that includes two seats in the Champagne room, two programs, food, merchandise and a $500 betting voucher.
Anthony Affrunti
An incredible 2017 Saratoga season capped off with the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful, which saw an impressive and erratic Sporting Chance end the meet on a high note, winning by a neck in 1:23.71 for the seven furlongs under jockey Luis Saez. The son of Tiznow became the 18th Grade 1 winner of the 40-day meet, and gave Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas his eighth victory in the history of the 113-year-old race.
Pat McKenna; Mark Bardack
For the second time in the past three years, The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) set a record for all-sources wagering on racing at Saratoga, concluding the 2017 Saratoga meet with a handle of $676,709,490. The 2017 handle eclipsed the previous high set in 2015 by 4.4 percent and shattered the prior record set in 2012 by more than 15 percent.
NYRA Press Office
The race for top trainer, jockey and owner came down to the wire at Saratoga Race Course on 2017, with Todd Pletcher capturing his 13th H. Allen Jerkens trainer title, Jose Ortiz winning his second Angel Cordero Jr. riding title in a row, and Michael Dubb and his various partnerships taking his fourth straight owners title in the final day at the Spa.
Brian Bohl
Terry Hamilton's Heart to Heart made a triumphant return to Saratoga Race Course, using a stretch-drive surge to clear away by 1 ¼ lengths in the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch for 3-year-olds and up on Monday, Closing Day, at Saratoga Race Course.
NYRA Press Office
J. Kirk and Jody Robison's Vertical Oak found the sloppy and sealed going much to her liking, splashing to a 5 ¼-length victory in the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for 3-year-old filly sprinters under steady rain Sunday at Saratoga Race Course.
Pat Mckenna; Mark Bardack
Fans will have one more opportunity to take home a memento of the racing season at Saratoga Race Course on Monday, September 4, closing day of the 2017 meet.
