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 my favorite photos taken in the paddock. Click here to view my other posts about the track.
Title Role is led around the paddock prior to winning the Grade I Belmont Derby.
Movin’ On Up is led around the paddock prior to winning the Grade II Caress Stakes.
Kathynmarissa is led into the paddock before winning the Grade I Diana Stakes.
Cy Fair is led into the paddock before winning the Grade III Coronation Cup Stakes.
Rapper Flavor Flav made an appearance at the Spa, delivering the riders up call for the Grade II Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes.
Counting Stars is led around the paddock before winning the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks, her second consecutive top level victory.
Commandment enters the paddock for schooling ahead of the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes, where he finished second. Click here to read the online edition of this issue of The Special.
Commandment heads out of the paddock after schooling.
Jockey Irad Ortiz and owner Mike Repole (right) share some last minute words before winning the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes with Renegade.
Survie is led into the paddock before winning the Grade II Glens Falls Stakes.
Exercise rider and pony rider Lorna Chavez leads her pony Mango, sporting a giveaway straw hat, through the paddock.
Deterministic heads out to the track to win the Grade I Fourstardave Stakes for a second time with Kendrick Carmouche onboard.
Glacius is led around the paddock prior to winning the Grade I Saratoga Derby.
Sovereignty is led around the paddock prior to winning the Grade I Whitney Stakes.
White Abarrio is led around the paddock prior to the Whitney, where he would finish seventh. This would ultimately be his last race, as he has since been retired to stud.
Nitrogen is led around the paddock prior to her second place finish in the Whitney.
Sovereignty and his groom, Indalecio Martínez, share a moment in the saddling shed.
Assistant trainer Scott Blasi leads Magnitude around the paddock before his sixth place finish in the Whitney.
My Gun’s Loaded heads out to the track with Manny Franco onboard to win the Grade I Alabama Stakes.
Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. high fives some young fans before the Albany Stakes.
Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo enters the paddock to school, led by groom Guillermo Islas. Trainer Chad Summers is seen at right.
Renegade looks a picture schooling in the paddock.
Renegade acts up after paddock schooling.
Tip Top Thomas schools in the paddock.
Eventual Travers winner Leading Change enters the paddock for schooling.
Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo schools in the paddock.
Englishman is led around the paddock prior to winning the Grade I H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes.
Ways and Means enters the paddock before winning the Grade I Ballerina Stakes.
Ways and Means heads out to the track.
Golden Tempo is led into the paddock by assistant trainer Enrique Miranda (left) and groom José Hernández ahead of his third place finish in the Travers.
Leading Change is led around the paddock prior to winning the Travers.
Renegade gets some pets while being saddled for the Travers.
Leading Change heads out to the track.
The Good Life is led around the paddock prior to winning the Grade I Hopeful Stakes.
Siyouincanada is led around the paddock prior to winning the Gio Ponti Stakes, the last stake of the meet.
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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