Close menu
Saratoga
2017 Saratoga Opening Day Photo Journal
Saratoga

2017 Saratoga Opening Day Photo Journal

By:
Share:
share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article

Forty days of pure horse racing bliss started on Friday, July 21 at Saratoga Race Course.  With a crowd of 32,000 in attendance, opening day brought the fun and excitement that is expected of a great day at Saratoga.  Let’s take a look back at the day with my photo journal:

The main entrance at Saratoga Race Course has all of the lawn jockeys of the top Graded Stakes winners of the previous year represented (Photo: Michael Spector)
The weather cooperated on opening day over a main track that was a bit deep during the first few races (Photo: Michael Spector)
Takaful was one of the most impressive runners on opening day winning the 4th race. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said the Grade 2 Jerkens may be up next. (Photo: Michael Spector)
Jockey Junior Alvarado is back after having two shoulder surgeries since last Saratoga meet and signed this kid’s autograph shortly after this photo was taken (Photo: Michael Spector)
Javier Castellano will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year and was all smiles before the 6th race at Saratoga (Photo: Michael Spector)
Limited View acted up in the paddock before the Grade 3 Schuylerville and needed to be scratched (Photo: Michael Spector)
Stainless for the StarLadies and Todd Pletcher ran a good third moving late in the Schuylerville. Here she is before the race. (Photo: Michael Spector)

New Subscriber Bonus: Access our Top 10 Wagering Angles in Racing to see exactly what we look for when opening up the past performances.

Buy Sell Hold before the Schuylerville maybe thinking about how she will set a blistering early pace for trainer Steve Asmussen. (Photo: Michael Spector)
Best Performance with jockey Jose Ortiz ran second in the Schuylerville for trainer Christophe Clement (Photo: Michael Spector)
Snowfire with Julien Leparoux up for trainer Mark Casse before the Schuylerville (Photo: Michael Spector)
Dream It Is blew them out in the Schuylerville for fun winning by 9 lengths under jockey Luis Contreras (Photo: Michael Spector)
Trainer Barbara Minshall was all smiles with her Dream It is in the winners’ circle after the Schuylerville (Photo: Michael Spector)
The start of the Grade 3 Lake George at Saratoga on Opening Day 2017 (Photo: Michael Spector)
Proctor’s Ledge pulling away from Party Boat late in the Lake George (Photo: Michael Spector)
Javier Castellano in the Grade 3 Lake George winners’ circle on Proctor’s Ledge for trainer Brendan Walsh (Photo: Michael Spector)
It was a beautiful opening day at Saratoga and the grandstand looks great for its 149th meet. 39 more days to go! (Photo: Michael Spector)

Latest Podcasts

View All Podcasts

Latest

View all

Top Payouts

View All
Belterra Park $1,841.40
June 25, 2025 Race 6 Superfecta
Horseshoe Indianapolis $1,257.60
June 25, 2025 Race 4 Superfecta
Penn National $814.00
June 26, 2025 Race 1 Superfecta
Horseshoe Indianapolis $717.60
June 25, 2025 Race 10 Trifecta
Belterra Park $620.60
June 25, 2025 Race 6 Trifecta

Looking to cash in big?

Get Racing Dudes Premium

Join the Inner Circle

Sign Up