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Our recap of the action on- and off-track to give you a flavor of the premiere race meet in America

Saratoga Racing Season 2003

Week Three

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Week One ** Week Two ** Week Three ** Week Four ** Week Five ** Week Six

Wed 8/06

The Fasig-Tipton yearlings sales continued Wednesday night. The sales take place at the Finney Pavilion on East Avenue. Just down the street from the race course.

The sales attract a throng of onlookers who marvel at the big bucks being spent. Some folks peer into the glass-enclosed pavilion, while others mingle in the backyard paddock area.

There's also a large open-air bar in the backyard/paddock area.

Sales topper Wednesday evening was a son of Unbridled that sold for $2.7 million.

Wed 8/06
Attendance: 18116
Weather: Intermittent showers. Some sun.
Highlights: *** May Gator under Jerry Bailey wires a short-field of four in the off-turf $65K Waya.

Thurs 8/07

Thurs 8/07
Attendance: 20049.
Weather: Cloudy and warm.
Highlights: *** Anofferucantrefuse romps to an easy win over the jumps in the G2 $75K Smithwick.

Fri 8/08

Friday was Proud to be an American Day. The West Point was the feature race and plenty of US servicemen and women were on hand. Right, a group of America's finest watch the start of the sixth race -- and later presented the winner's trophy.

Apprentice Pablo Fragoso has impressed at the Saratoga meet. In Friday's fifth race he gave 11-1 Sabre of Silver a brilliant rail-skimming ride, battling with veteran Edgar Prado on the favorite, and coming out a head the best at the wire. Later on, jockey Jerry Bailey and trainer John Kimmel pow-wow in the paddock prior to the West Point.

WFAN sports radio host Mike Francesa presented the trophy for the West Point. And winning trainer Todd Pletcher met with the press following the race.

Fri 8/08
Attendance: 23582
Weather: Nice but humid.
Highlights: *** Apprentice Pablo Fragoso continues to impress, winning the fifth with a cagey rail-skimming ride to beat veteran Edgar Prado by a head.
*** Pletcher/Velasquez grab the featured $100K West Point for NY-breds on the turf with Finality.

Sat 8/09

How is Saratoga different from other tracks? The best example might be to take a couple of glimpses at the wall-to-wall fans spending the day in the backyard.

Left, Jack Knowlton and Robin Smullen of Funny Cide fame, in the paddock prior to a race by Sackatoga's Won Dozen Roses (she ran third). Right, post parade as seen from the clubhouse box seats.

Jockey Jean Luc Samyn does it all! First he wins the G1 Sword Dancer aboard 24-1 Whitmore's Conn, and then he holds the umbrella as the rains come during post race interviews with himself, trainer Randy Schulhofer and ESPN's Kenny Rice. Right, tractors come out and seal the track after the final race.

Spotted on-track over the weekend was Saratoga favorite, retired jockey Eddie Maple.

Sat 8/09
Attendance: 31153
Weather: Hot and humid. Brief shower hit just after the feature race. It was over by post time for the nightcap.
Highlights: *** Ken McPeek's 2YO filly Deb's Charm impressed with a three-length win in her second start and is likely to be seen in stakes company soon.
*** 24-1 Whitmore's Conn upsets the G1 $500K Sword Dancer. Favored Denon finishes fourth.

Sun 8/10

The pond that car is driving through is actually a street -- just outside the side gate to the race course. The "puddle" is the result of the deluge that hit Saratoga as the second race went off. Standing water on the far turn caused the third race to be cancelled.

Sunday's giveaway was the stylish Saratoga baseball cap. And the snazzy red chapeaus were in evidence all around the track.

Left, Private Horde on the way to the track for the G2 Vanderbilt. Right, favored Shake You Down on the slop in the post parade.

Trainer Joe Cain accepts congratulations after upsetting the G2 Vanderbilt with Private Horde. It was his first trip to Saratoga.

Sun 8/10
Attendance: 58770 "spinner"-inflated, Saratoga cap giveaway.
Weather: Freaky. Intermittent, huge downpours. Some sun.
Highlights: *** Private Horde invades from the mid-west to upset the G2 $200K Vanderbilt. Favored Shake You Down finishes in fourth.

Mon, 8/11

Mon 8/11
Attendance: 18576
Weather: Overcast and humid. Some slight sprinkles.
Highlights: *** Whoopi Cat proves best in the G2 $150K Adirondack.

Week One ** Week Two ** Week Three ** Week Four ** Week Five ** Week Six

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