Now that the Saratoga’s longest-ever summer meet is over, it’s time for my annual look back at some of my favorite photos I took. I had the pleasure of shooting for The Saratoga Special again this summer, capturing morning preview photos as well as race day shots. In this post, I will share the first batch of favorite photos taken of races. Click here to view my other posts about the track.
Harper’s Corner kicks off the juvenile stakes action with her win in the Schuylerville with Paco López onboard for trainer Cathal Lynch and owner Charles L. Biggs.
Indiana-bred Booked wins the Grade III Sanford Stakes with Ricardo Santana, Jr. onboard for trainer Steve Asmussen and owners Jackpot Farm, Alvin Fults, Jason Itkin, and Michael D. Smith.
Irish-bred Kensington Lane wins the Grade I Belmont Oaks with Joel Rosario onboard for trainer Donnacha O’Brien and owners Agave Racing Stable, Medallion Racing, and Evan Trommer.
Phileas Fogg goes back to back in the Grade II Suburban Stakes with Kendrick Carmouche onboard for trainer Gustavo Rodríguez and owner Jupiter Stable.
Phileas Fogg heads to the winner’s circle a multiple graded stakes winner. Click here to read the online edition of this issue of The Special.
Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show gallops out after a second place finish in the Suburban with Manny Franco onboard.
Title Role wins a thrilling edition of the Grade I Belmont Derby with John Velázquez onboard for trainer Simon Crisford and owner Will Stroud.
Sippin Pretty upsets the Grade III Victory Ride Stakes with Ricardo Santana, Jr. onboard for trainer Ian Wilkes and owners Randall L Bloch, Six Column Stables, Mike Davis, and Gene E. Rice.
Movin’ On Up (gray) wins the Grade II Caress Stakes for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. and owner Ken Ramsey.
Sunday Boy wins an allowance race with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Jim Ryerson and owner Joseph DiRico.
Ole Crazy Bone (right) prevails over Fort George in the Grade II Bowling Green Stakes with Flavien Prat onboard for trainer Mike Maker and owner Flying P Stable.
Future grade 1 winner The Good Life (right) wins on debut with Manny Franco onboard for trainer Brad Cox and owners WinStar Farm, First Go Racing, and China Horse Club.
My Noble Knight wins a claiming race in the pouring rain with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Joe Sharp and owner TEC Racing.
Kathynmarissa (3) edges Segesta in the Grade I Diana Stakes with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Chad Brown and owners Michael Caruso and Michael Dubb. The win was a record-extending 11th for Brown in the race. Click here to read the online edition of this issue of The Special
Ortiz celebrates his win.
Effusive, a daughter of dual champion Monomoy Girl, wins on debut with Manny Franco onboard for trainer Brad Cox and owner/breeder Spendthrift Farm.
Champion Cy Fair heads out to the track for the Grade III Coronation Cup Stakes.
Cy Fair makes short work of the Coronation Cup with John Velázquez onboard for trainer George Weaver and owners Medallion Racing, Swinbank Stables, Joey Platts, and Mark Stanton.
Future grade 1 winner My Gun’s Loaded wins an allowance race with Manny Franco onboard for trainer Chad Brown and owner Douglas Scharbauer.
Future grade 1 winner Fully Subscribed wins the Grade II Shuvee Stakes with Flavien Prat onboard for trainer Chad Brown and owner Klaravich Stable.
Built wins the Grade II Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard for trainer Wayne Catalano and owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.
The field heads around the clubhouse turn in the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks, won by Counting Stars (1).
Counting Stars wins the Coaching Club American Oaks with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard for trainer Mark Casse and owner West Point Thoroughbreds. Click here to read the online edition of this issue of The Special.
The field heads for the far turn in a starter allowance race, won by Willintoriskitall (second from right) with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Rick Dutrow and owner Michael Dubb.
The field heads for the far turn in the Grade II Honorable Miss Stakes, won by Maida (right) with Sheldon Russell onboard for trainer Brittany Russell and owner Harry Papaleo.
Twinkle Town wins the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes over Booked with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Kenny McPeek and owner Four G Racing.
The field heads for the first turn in the Grade III Lake George Stakes.
Amberglen wins the Grade III Lake George Stakes with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard for trainer Brad Cox and owner Stonestreet Stables.
The field rounds the first turn in the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes, won by Renegade (right) with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons for trainer Todd Pletcher and owners Repole Stable and Robert and Lawana Low.
Renegade gallops out after his Jim Dandy score.
Sea Strike heads out to the track for the Curlin Stakes.
Sea Strike wins the Curlin by open lengths with Flavien Prat onboard for trainer Chad Brown and owner Flanagan Racing.
Stress Relief (center) wins the Grade III Adirondack Stakes with Junior Alvarado onboard for trainer Kinnon LaRose and owner Joel Politi, giving her conditioner his first graded victory.
To see more of my equine photography be sure to follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.
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