Howard Hamilton

This is the time of year when the most serious horsemen make their pilgrimage to the mecca of thoroughbred racing - Saratoga Race Track, upstate New York. We experience 36 days of the most exciting racing with the best jockeys and the best horses competing.

The Dubai World Cup and the Breeders Cup may surpass this meet in purses offered and international participation, but they can't match the aura and charm of Saratoga. Words can't describe the mystique of this place that keeps attracting thousands of race fans each year.

The weather has been perfect, a bit hot and humid on some days, but all the races have been run as programmed with the races on grass all going. The first 11 days of this meet has already produced record attendance, up 10.3 per cent from last year with an average daily attendance of 28,000. The on-track handle was up 13 per cent and, most interesting was, the fact that the handle from all sources (simulcasting to tracks and receiving their signals ) was US$180 million up 15 per cent over the previous year. The on-track sales (excluding simulcast handle at the track ) has been in the order of US$40 million with daily figures averaging US$ 3.7 million. Promoters turnover hasbeen increased more than four times because of the introduction of simulcast racing. Simulcast sales have been the salvation of racing in every jurisdiction. Saratoga, once the hallowed ground of traditional boundaries now has simulcast racing even from England.

Promotional activities

In the mornings there are pro-motional activities to support the attendance of fans. In addition to wagering on the English races there, is a sumptuous breakfast provided, opportunity to see the horses exercise with appropriate commentary, and a trolley ride through the heavily secured stable area where one has the opportunity of meeting with and speaking to some of the top trainers along with interacting with the horses that they care for. This is what being customer-friendly is all about.

An interesting observation which is worth the consideration of the powers that be in our local racing is the rule relating to non-starters. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has initiated the refunding of money for all wagers on horses that are declared non-starters because of an error on the part of the starter. There were two occasions on which the Jockey was unseated at the start of the race. Both were declared to be the fault of the starter and all bets that included that horse were refunded.

In one instance, the Jockey was not properly seated before the horses were sent off, in another case the assistant starter was still holding on to the reigns of the horse that unseated the jockey when the horses were sent off. This has proven to be greatly appreciated by the betting public and has increased the confidence in the operations of NYRA. This is particularly significant since decisions will shortly be made as to who will be granted the franchise to operate the three tracks currently operated by NYRA. It is the hope that NYRA, with some modifications, will continue to operate the franchise .

The problem with the introduction of that rule is the need for the highest level of integrity in our stewards and, equally important, our starter and his crew. The starter admitted the errors and suggested that his crew was new and did not have the experience of several of those who had recently retired. He went on to say that training would be on going and it would take some six to seven years before they reached the proficiency of the previous crew.

Customer confidence

This openness and transparency has encouraged customer confidence and I commend this to my Jamaican racing powers.

This is the meet that exposes some of the best talent in thoroughbred racing. Of those which have already been around, LAWYER RUN and NOBIZ LIKE SHOBIZ have been impressive. The sprint queen, DREAM RUSH, brushed aside all contenders in the Test Stakes and seems set to do the same in the Breeders Cup Sprint, at the end of October.

The trainer Rick Violette, was ecstatic about the star of his barn; jockey Eibar Coa was equally impressed with the speed of this filly. The two-year-olds that seemed destined for greatness include MAIMONIDES, who was an impressive 10 length winner in his first start. This colt out of Vindication by Silvery Swan cost US$4.6 million and is trained by Bob Baffert. He covered the 5 furlongs in an effortless 1.04.2 and we are all anxious to see him back at the track before the meet closes he did not win the Tod Pletcher trained READY'S ECHO literally flew in the last furlong to cover some 10 lengths in running second.

It is good to be here, but sorry I missed the outstanding per-formance of DISTINCTLY IRISH, He should be here in Saratoga! The connections of MIRACLE MAN have a challenge at last so hopefully the promoters will provide the opportunities for these two stars to thrill the racing public.