Saratoga 150 Committee announces new inductees to the "Hoofprints Walk Of Fame" at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna and Mark Bardack

The Saratoga 150 Committee today announced the two newest inductees to the Hoofprints Walk of Fame at Saratoga Race Course: outstanding filly Los Angeles and Hall of Fame thoroughbred Stymie.

Modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hoofprints Walk of Fame was installed outside the clubhouse gates to Saratoga Race Course in 2013 in conjunction with the sesquicentennial celebration of the first organized race meeting in Saratoga Springs. The Hoofprints Walk of Fame honors the most prolific and notable horses to compete at Saratoga Race Course during its illustrious history. The additions of Los Angeles and Stymie bring the total number of inductees to 36.

The bronze plaques prominently feature the thoroughbred's name alongside the names of its sire, dam, owner, trainer, and jockey. The plaques also feature the horse's year of birth and signature wins at Saratoga Race Course.

"We are delighted to welcome these two worthy new additions to the outstanding class of thoroughbreds who make up the Hoofprints Walk of Fame at Saratoga Race Course," said Saratoga 150 Honorary Chair John Hendrickson, who conceptualized the project in conjunction with the Saratoga 150 committee. "These equine athletes are certainly to be credited for the excitement and thrill that make a day at the races so enticing and memorable. The Hoofprints Walk of Fame honors the real stars of the sports while providing a unique and educational retrospective of our history." 

Although her home was California, with owner E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin, Los Angeles won 16 stakes races at Saratoga from 1887 -- when she won the Spinaway -- through 1891, when she won the Saratoga Cup. She won from 5 furlongs to 2 miles, and her other major Saratoga victories included the Kenner Stakes and the Congress Hall. 

Stymie, campaigned by Mrs. Ethel D. Jacobs, made 131 starts in his career, including five at Saratoga as a 5-year-old in 1946 within 26 days. He won the Whitney Handicap at 1 ¼ miles - conceding 17 pounds to the runner-up - and the Saratoga Cup at 1 ¾ miles, the latter in a walkover.

The selection committee consists of National Museum of Racing Librarian Allan Carter, racing historian and author Ed Bowen, and turf columnist Michael Veitch.

"It is an honor for the Hoofprints Walk of Fame to welcome Los Angeles and Stymie to the list of thoroughbreds who have made a historic mark at Saratoga Race Course," said Veitch.

Horses are considered for the Hoofprints Walk of Fame based on their accomplishments in major stakes races at Saratoga Race Course, throughout its history of more than 150 years. The selection committee considers additional horses for the Walk of Fame on an annual basis. Among the notable thoroughbreds inducted to the Walk of Fame include Affirmed, Man o' War, Native Dancer and Secretariat.

The 2016 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course begins on Friday, July 22 and concludes on Labor Day, Monday, September 5. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, call (518) 584-6200 or log onto www.nyra.com.