History is all around you at the track – racing history, that is. The original Saratoga track was called Horse Haven, and is now a road leading around part of the stable area on the Oklahoma side. It was here, in 1863, that John Morrissey, ex-boxer and future politician, organized the first racing meet. Plans were made for the building of Saratoga Race Track across the street, and it is now the oldest operating track in the country. It’s hardly surprising that it has a strong sense of history and tradition. Roads are named after famous horses from the past, like War Admiral and recent popular favorites like Fourstardave and Funny Cide. On a sadder note, the famous racing filly Go For Wand, who broke down during a Breeders Cup race at Belmont, is buried in the main track infield at Saratoga.
Don’t forget to walk along the back of the jockeys changing room building, where tall windows let you view a rainbow display of racing silks. Every racing stable provides a set of their silks to track officials, who are responsible for storing them cleaning them and providing them to the jockeys. Look for the silks of major owners, like Mary Lou Whitney (Eton blue and brown), Bob and Beverly Louis (yellow and green stripes) or popular favorites like Sackatoga Stables, owners of Funny Cide (grey and maroon diamonds).
The statue in the paddock area, Sea Hero, is a fairly recent addition. It commemorates the 1994 winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Travers, Saratoga’s richest race. The horse was trained by Mac Miller and ridden by Jerry Bailey, both members of the Racing Hall of Fame. After a sojourn in Kentucky he was sold to Turkey, but he left behind a legacy. Check the program – one of Sea Hero’s offspring might be in the race.