The best time of year for racing fans in New York came into focus on March 15 when the New York Racing Association announced the stake schedule for its summer 40-day meeting at Racecourse Saratoga.
A total of 77 shares worth $22.635 million – an increase of more than $1.1 million from 2021 – will be paid out between July 14 and September 5 at the popular upstate New York location, featured by the 153rd edition of Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) $1.25 million for 3-year-olds on August 27.
The Summer Derby will be one of six to be scored on that day, joining four other high-profile races in the $750,000 Casino World Casino Sword Dancer Staking (G1T) bets on grass at distances. ly 1 and a half mile, for $600,000 Individual Shares (G1) for fillings and mares at 1 1/8 mile, $600,000 Forego Stock (G1) with seven stakes and H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) $500,000 in seven stakes for 3-year-olds. Also on Trade Day is $400,000 Ballston Spa Stakes (G2T) for fillings and mares at 1/16 mile on turf.
A total of 19 tier 1 shares — including top-tier bell tower races — will be contested at the meeting, including $1 million worth of Whitney (G1) shares, one of five , four of which are classified, on the August 6 card. Two other 1st grade teams will be held that day: the $1 million Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T), the second leg of NYRA’s Turf Triple for 3-year-olds at 1 3/16 miles on grass and $500,000. (G1) for 3-year-olds at seven-hair lengths.
The final three Grade 1 slots will be decided on the final weekend of the meeting, starting with the September 3 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).
Although the purse for the JCGC is listed at $1 million, it will increase by $250,000 if a 1st or 1st place winner starts in 2022. Additionally, the first four finishers in the Foreign Bets. cell (G2) at Belmont Park will be free to nominate, register and start for the JCGC if they start on the 1/4 mile test.
1st place action begins July 16 with $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1T) 1/8 mile on grass for older mares and athletics.
Grades 1 ends with $300,000 Spinaway Shares (G1) on September 4 for 2-year-olds at seven and ends, September 5, $300,000 in Hope Shares (G1) for children of 2 age at seven points.
Opening day July 14, Schuylerville Stakes (G3) $175,000 card for 2-year-olds with six pads and $135,000 Wilton Stakes limited to 3-year-olds at one mile. Wilton will be running on the one-mile Wilson Resurrection slide that hasn’t been used since 1992.
In an effort to split some of the wealth into non-Saturdays, the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap (G1) bet on fillings and mares at seven furs has been moved from position its share on the Travers Day card to the Sunday, August 28 program. Additionally, $250,000 in Bowling Green (G2T) Shares at 1 3/8 miles on the field were moved from Saturday to Sunday. .
There will be at least one stake every Friday and Sunday and six out of eight Fridays will offer at least two.
New York Showcase Day is scheduled for August 26 with six holdings for state hybrids worth a total of $1.25 million. There will also be four handicaps available to crossbreeds in New York on August 12th with the wallet per breed being increased from $100,000 to $125,000.
Overall, the wallet for eight shares for New York State hybrids has been raised by at least $25,000, topping $50,000, to $200,000 for West Point Stakes at 1/16 mile rate. on grass for kids 3 and up and $200,000 Yaddo Bets at 1/16 on kids and mares 3 and up. Both races take place on August 26.
The late Suzie O’Cain, who ran Highcliffe ranch for more than 20 years with her husband, Dr. C. Lynwood “Doc” O’Cain, will be honored on July 20 with a stock race in her name. . The $125,000 Suzie O’Cain Stakes (formerly Stillwater Stakes) are for 3-year-old dogs bred in New York at 1/16 mile on grass.
The NYRA will also pay tribute to late longtime employee and horseman Bruce Johnstone with a $125,000 Johnstone Mile Handicap (formerly Saratoga Dew Stakes) for cakes and state-bred mares. 12 August.
Daily television programming will be provided by “Saratoga Live,” which will return for the seventh season on the FOX Sports network. In addition to expanded national broadcasts on FS1, FS2, and FOX, select dates will also include regional SNY coverage.
While individual tickets are yet to go on sale, group bookings for hotel areas including the new Paddock Suites are now available at www.nyra.com.
