Saratoga Race Course 2022: The Best of the Rest

Ukrainian American dance group Zorepad performs at the track on Ukraine Day.

This is my fourth and final installment highlighting photos I took this summer at Saratoga Race Course while covering the meet for Saratoga Living Magazine. I previously showed photos I took of the races, the mornings at the main track and at the Oklahoma Training Track, and the jockeys. In this post, I will share photos I took of just about everything else, from the entertainment to the fashions and everything in between. Here is the best of the rest.

Clubhouse fashions are always fun to photograph.
The famous buglers play a tune on the porch. Having just shot a race out in the bright sun, I had my ISO set to 50 and did not put it back to auto when I was done. As a result, the shutter speed on this shot (captured in aprterture priority mode) was 1/20, and would have been totally ruined but Topaz Sharpen AI saved it.
The gate crew was kind enough to give me a lift from the backstretch to the Clubhouse entrance on a hot day.
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas observes Secret Oath in the saddling shed ahead of the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks.
An aerial view of fans in the picnic area.
Epicenter gets a bath after winning the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes.
Golden Pal’s pony Mr. Smee enjoys a bath with David Leprohon onboard while waiting for his horse to come back from the Grade III Troy Stakes.
Golden Pal comes back after winning the Grade III Troy Stakes.
A rainbow forms in the sky above outrider Miguel Gutiérrez.
Nations Pride gets a pet after winning the Grade I Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes.
The Budweiser Clydesdales parade out on the track.
Another shot of the Clydesdales, with the grandstand in the background.
Marguerite Davis hugs her daughter, jockey Jackie Davis, after her first win at Saratoga on Vallelujah, trained by Marguerite’s husband Robbie Davis.
The Travers canoe is seen in the infield, painted in the colors of Godolphin Stables in honor of last year’s winner, Essential Quality. After Epicenter’s win this year, the canoe was repainted in the colors of Winchell Thorougbbreds.
A horse gets a bath after the Smart N Fancy Stakes.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher remains calm after his win in the Grade I Alambama Stakes with Nest.
Nest and her connections enter the winner’s circle after the Alabama Stakes. I really like this photo because it shows many of her connections, but the focus is on her.
A Ukrainian American vocalist sings on the track apron.
Ukrainian American dance group Zorepad performs at the track.
Track announcer John Imbriale surveys his domain. Imbriale has since semi-retired and will no longer be calling races at Saratoga.
Entertainers perform on the porch.
A portrait of Malathaat shortly before her win in the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes on Travers Day. I didn’t like the distracting background, so I made it all black. I ended up really liking how it turned out.
I met Jim at the far turn while waiting for the Grade I H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes. Jim has been a racing fan all his life.
Mango the pony gets a treat.
Jockey painter Robin Schumacher works diligently on repainting the Travers jockey in the colors of the Winchell Thoroughbreds silks just minutes after Epicenter won the race.
Mr. Kelly is a friendly security guard outside the Clubhouse entrance. I had the pleasure of teaching his three kids French.
A groom for Brad Cox hams it up for the camera after the Grade II Flower Bowl Stakes.
My favorite floral blanket of the summer! How fitting, since the race is called the Flower Bowl.
Olympiad gets a bath after winning the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Olympiad comes back after winning the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Palm Cottage unseats his rider and breaks through the gate before the start of an allowance optional claiming race. She eventually would win the race.
A Todd Pletcher trainee takes a rest in his stall.
Forte and his team return after winning the Grade I Hopeful Stakes, the last stakes race of the meet.
Outrider Miguel Gutiérrez heads off the track after the last race of the meet.
One of the horses in the last race returns in the pouring rain.

To see more of my Saratoga area photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.

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