This is the fifth and final post in my series looking back at the Saratoga summer meet. I had the pleasure of shooting for The Saratoga Special this summer, capturing morning preview photos as well as race day shots. In this post I’ll share my favorites photos that didn’t make it into any of my previous posts.. Click here to view my other posts about the track.
Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. gets on the scale after winning a race.
Flavien Prat comes back on Whitebeam after the pair won back to back editions of the Grade I Diana Stakes.
Superstar filly Thorpedo wins the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks. She followed that up with a game runner-up finish in the Travers.
Saratoga Springs Police Officer Glenn Barrett and Apollo (Most Fun Yet) exit the track at the far turn in between races.
Nakatomi gets a bath after winning the Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap.
Chancer McPatrick, with Flavien Prat onboard, heads out to the track for his first race, which he won. He would follow that up with a win in the Grade I Hopeful Stakes.
Groom Byron López leads Fierceness to the test barn after his victory in the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes. He would follow that up with a win in the Travers, putting him into contention for Champion Three-Year-Old Male.
Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan celebrates after winning on Scaramanga, giving trainer Melanie Giddings her first Saratoga winner.
A storm cloud emerges over the track shortly before a downpour.
The rain comes down and causes a delay between races.
Jockey Dylan Davis celebrates one of his 35 wins, a personal best.
Amanda Villafranco rides Sunny the pony.
Trainer Chad Brown shakes jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.’s hand after winning the Grade II Glens Falls Stakes with McKulick.
Dancers entertain passersby on Whitney Day.
Ways and Means is walked around the winner’s circle after her victory in the Grade I Test Stakes.
Arthur’s Ride heads back to the winner’s circle after winning the Grade I Whitney Stakes with Junior Alvarado onboard.
Multiple Grade I winner National Treasure is led back to the barn after his disappointing sixth place finish in the Whitney.
Arthur’s Ride is led to the test barn after his Whitney win.
Showcase survives an inquiry to win the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard.
Carl Spackler is led into the winner’s circle after winning the Grade I Fourstardave Handicap with Tyler Gaffalione onboard.
Carl Spackler is led around the winner’s circle.
Carson’s Run comes back after winning the Grade I Saratoga Derby with Dylan Davis onboard, giving Davis his first Grade I win in the U.S.
Carson’s Run is led around the winner’s circle.
West Point Thoroughbreds president Terry Finley stands proud in the winner’s circle after Carson’s Run’s win.
Inaugural Down Broadway Award winner My Boy Tate, held by Take 2/Take the Lead president Rick Schosberg, gets a kiss from one of his owners, David Lyon. The award was presented as part of Thoroughbred Aftercare Day.
My Boy Tate checks out his award.
Young rider Rayna Richardson is led by her dad Ben aboard retired Thoroughbred Financier as part of an Aftercare Day demonstration for ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption.
Kendra Richardson, mother of Rayna and husband of Ben, rides Dangerous Edge for ReRun.
Manhattan Twist, owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and MyRacehorse crosses the line first in his debut, but must await the results of an inquiry to see if he will be declared the winner.
MyRacehorse owners celebrate in the winner’s circle when it is announced that there is no change to the order of finish.
A polo match takes place on the track as part of an Aftercare Day demonstration for New Vocations.
Track goers take shelter under an awning during a downpour.
This is one of my favorite photos I took all summer!
Jockey John Velázquez returns on Courtly Banker after winning the Rock Violette Stakes.
Reggie’s Red Hot Feetwarmers play a tune for the crowd.
Power Squeeze is led to the test barn after winning the Grade I Alabama Stakes.
Idiomatic is led back to the barn after her second place finish in the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes.
Raging Sea is led back to the barn after winning the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes.
Crowds walk around the backyard on Travers day.
José Ortiz is led into the winner’s circle after a victory on Travers day.
Two-time Champion Go for Wand’s final resting place is in the Saratoga infield.
Arcangelo’s Travers canoe sits on the infield pond less than 24 hours before painted in the colors of Repole Stable.
Joel Rosario heads out onto the track on Far Bridge, who won the Grade I Sword Dancer Stakes.
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione and exercise rider Roberto Howell (front) share smiles after Society’s win in the Grade I Ballerina Stakes.
Trainer Phil Bauer (right) congratulates trainer Rodolphe Brisset after winning his first Grade I with Mullikin in the Forego Stakes. Bauer was third with Angkor.
Mullikin is led out of the winner’s circle after his Forego win.
Jockey Flavien Prat celebrates his second win in a row on Travers day with Domestic Product in the Grade I H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes.
Fans hang onto their promotional Thorpedo Anna posters in anticipation of the star filly’s run in the Travers.
Mike Repole celebrates winning the Travers with Fierceness.
Brian Hernandez returns on Thorpedo Anna after a valiant runner-up finish in the Travers.
Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher hug after the race.
Fierceness is led into the winner’s circle flanked by his connections with jockey John Velázquez onboard.
John Velázquez tosses flowers from the flower blanket in the winner’s circle.
Byron López leads Fierceness out of the winner’s circle.
Mike Repole hoists the Travers trophy in celebration of Fierceness’ win.
John Velázquez; his wife Leona; his father in law, retired trainer Leo O’Brien (far left); and Repole Stable advisor Ed Rosen (far right) watch the replay.
Dornoch heads back to the barn after his fourth place finish in the Travers.
Groom Byron López leads Fierceness back to the barn after his victory.
Three-year-old filly heads to the paddock before her victory in the Grade III Prioress Stakes.
Jockey Luis Saez is all smiles aboard Brightwork after their win in the Prioress.
The rain doesn’t dampen jockey Manny Franco’s spirits after winning the Grade I Spinaway Stakes on Immersive.
Flavien Prat gives Highland Falls a pet after winning the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Trainer Brad Cox revels in Highland Falls’ win.
Chancer McPatrick gets a bath after winning the Grade I Hopeful Stakes. Another one of my favorites.
To see more of my equine photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.
Fantastic!!!!