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 of celebrating. Click here to view my other posts about the track.
Jaime Rodríguez shows off for the cameras after winning the Saranac Stakes aboard Heeere’s Johnny.
Title Role is walked around after winning the Grade I Belmont Derby with John Velázquez onboard.
Ricardo Santana, Jr. gives Sounds Like a Plan a pet after winning an optional claiming event.
Owner Ken Ramsey hugs jockey Tyler Gaffalione in the winner’s circle after Movin’ On Up wins the Grade II Caress Stakes.
Ricardo Santana, Jr. gives B Yutiful Carly a pet after breaking her maiden first time out.
Flavien Prat checks out the replay after winning the Grade II Bowling Green Stakes aboard Ole Crazy Bone.
José Ortiz flashes a smile after winning the Grade I Diana Stakes aboard Kathynmarissa.
Frankie Fragomeni and owner Michael Dubb lead Kathynmarissa around after her win.
Trainer Wayne Catalano gives Built a bath after winning the Grade II Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes.
The Special’s Tom Law, Joe Clancy, and Sean Clancy, along with Saratoga mayor John Safford, help present the trophy for the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes, won by Twinkle Town with José Ortiz onboard.
Amberglen is led out of the winner’s circle by groom Ana Hernández after winning the Grade III Lake George Stakes with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard.
Trainer Kinnon LaRose gives a smile as he enters the winner’s circle after winning his first graded stake with Stress Relief in the Grade III Adirondack with Junior Alvarado onboard.
Flavien Prat throws his crop after winning the Grade I Test Stakes on Explora.
Explora gets a bath before heading to the test barn.
Kendrick Carmouche smiles for the cameras after repeating in the Grade I Fourstardave takes aboard Deterministic.
Kendrick Carmouche looks to the sky before being led into the winner’s circle.
Glacius returns to the winner’s circle after winning the Grade I Saratoga Derby with Luis Sáez onboard.
Manny Franco shows who’s the real deal after winning the Grade I Christophe Clément Turf Stakes on Survie against males.
Manny Franco throws the flowers from the flower blanket as he heads into the winner’s circle.
Antonia Peck, traveling assistant to trainer George Boughey, gives Survie a pet as she gets hosed down.
Members of the Clément family present the trophy for the Christophe Clément Turf Stakes, named in memory of the Hall of Fame trainer who passed away last year and who won the race a record five times when it was known as the Sword Dancer Stakes.
Jockey Javier Castellano hugs owner Charlotte Weber after her horse And One More Time is declared the official winner of the Grade II Ballston Spa Stakes following an inquiry and objection. Trainer Mark Casse looks on.
Englishman is led into the winner’s circle after winning the Grade I H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes with José Ortiz onboard.
Fully Subscribed is led around after winning the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes with Flavien Prat onboard.
Naomis les led around after winning the Grade II Lake Placid Stakes with Flavien Prat onboard.
Ricardo Santana, Jr. pumps his fist as groom Ari Haddad walks Hymn around after his win in the Grade I Forego Stakes.
Hymn and his connections get their photo taken as flower petals having just been thrown by Ricardo Santana, Jr. fall.
Hymn gets hosed off before heading to the test barn.
Ways and Means exits the winner’s circle after her win in the Grade I Ballerina Stakes.
Manny Franco throws flowers from the flower blanket in the air as Travers Stakes winner Leading Change is led into the winner’s circle.
Manny Franco is all smiles as Leading Change is led into the winner’s circle with trainer Brad Cox seen at left.
Leading Change and his connections get their photo taken.
Leading Change heads to the test barn.
Manny Franco kisses the Man O’ War Cup.
Manny Franco pumps his fist after winning the Grade III Prioress Stakes aboard Mashallah, clinching the jockey title for the meet.
Jomar Torres gives the thumbs up after winning the Disco Partner Stakes aboard Jean Valjean.
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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