The sun is already beating down on the scores of tables assembled on the Clubhouse Porch on the lowest level of Saratoga's famous grandstand. Breakfast here is a conveyer belt of opportunity for those needing 'fuel' for the hard work of the day ahead at America's most beautiful racetrack.
The sun is already beating down on the scores of tables assembled on the Clubhouse Porch on the lowest level of Saratoga's famous grandstand. Breakfast here is a conveyer belt of opportunity for those needing 'fuel' for the hard work of the day ahead at America's most beautiful racetrack.
It is 75°F in the shade. Trainers, owners, a jockey here and there....but, almost as importantly, there are hundreds of race fans. They are all shapes and sizes, and significantly, there are lots of younger folk. Kids on school vacation, young families up early, trying to pack as much as possible into the day.
It is unusual. But you hope that, for racing's sake, some of the kids will grow up and brag to later generations that they were there at Saratoga in the week when a great horse race took place, the 2015 running of the Travers Stakes.
American Pharoah, the American Triple Crown winner, is due to arrive here on track later Wednesday afternoon. Already, the photographers and cameramen have set up camp at the front gates in anticipation of that arrival. Reporters will come later to complete a media mob usually associated with sports such as basketball, baseball or college football.
Bob Baffert, trainer of the 1-5 favourite ($1.20), quipped: "I feel like I'm bringing The Beatles to town."
That comment says as much about Baffert's accurate perception of Saturday's race in the context of American sport as it does of his vintage.
There is huge interest in this running of the Travers, and the building excitement almost tangible. It is a recurring topic of conversation throughout Saratoga Springs.
But it takes more than one horse to make a horse race. And despite American Pharoah's reputation as a modern-day colossus, nine rivals have paid up to have a crack at him, including Godolphin's Frosted, the second favourite, and Texas Red, who is third listed on the local Morning Line.
Frosted ran with great credit in the Kentucky Derby (4th) and the Belmont (2nd) and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is pleased with the colt's progress. McLaughlin has sportingly acknowledged American Pharoah's performances, but he knows that the demands of the season can test even the best.
While he has won three Classics, American Pharoah has had some hard racing and he has travelled back and forth across the country nearly as much as some airline cabin crew.
Baffert is known to have reservations about coming to Saratoga. The track has been described as the 'graveyard of champions' and a look at the records shows that claim is for good reason.
Only one Triple Crown winner has ever won the Travers, Whirlaway in 1941. Only three have tried, mind you, but Gallant Fox was beaten by a 100-1 shot Jim Dandy in 1930, and Affirmed was relegated to 2nd for interfering with arch rival Alydar in 1978. Those stats haunt Baffert, who has also expressed concern about the track surface.
Saratoga is America's Deauville, with a dash of Goodwood to spice it up. The cocktail is attractive, and this week it could be at its most potent.
