Now that the Saratoga 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 during races (I took so many this year, I’m doing two posts). Oh, and yes, I am including the July 4th Racing Festival in addition to the regular summer meet. Click here to view my other posts about the track.
Echo Sound (second from left) prevails over just three other rivals in the Grade III Victory Ride Stakes with Luis Sáez onboard for trainer Rusty Arnold to kick off the July 4th Racing Festival.
Zulu Kingdom wins the Grade III Manila Stakes with Flavien Prat onboard for trainer Chad Brown.
Phileas Fogg returns to the winner’s circle after upsetting the Grade II Suburban Stakes with Kendrick Carmouche onboard for trainer Gustavo Rodríguez.
Obliteration obliterates the field in the Grade III Sanford Stakes with Flavien Prat onboard for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Jackson Heights (green and black silks) wins an allowance race in a crazy blanket finish with Dylan Davis onboard for trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci.
Think Big wins the Grade III Kelso Stakes with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Michael Stidham.
The field heads down the stretch in the Grade I Belmont Oaks, upset by Fionn (front left).
In Time wins an optional claiming with Dylan Davis onboard for trainer Miguel Clément.
Dr. Agne breaks his maiden first time out with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Cherie DeVaux. DeVaux worked closely with the two-year-old colt’s dam, Lady Eli, when she (the horse) was injured in 2015. Dr. Agne is named for the late veterinarian who cared for Lady Eli.
Italian Soiree upets the Grade III Coronation Cup Stakes with Luis Sáez onboard for trainer John Terranova.
Pulstar breaks her maiden with Joel Rosario onboard for trainer Wesley Ward.
The Travers canoe, painted in the colors of Repole Stable, is visible in the background as Far Bridge wins the Grade II Bowling Green Stakes with Joel Rosario onboard for trainer Miguel Clément.
Concrete Glory (right) narrowly prevails over Little Ni and Scotland in an optional claiming with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Excellent Truth upsets the Grade I Diana Stakes with Flavien Prat onboard for trainer Chad Brown with a narrow victory over favorite She Feels Pretty. Click here to read the digital edition of this issue of The Special.
The field heads for the first turn in a maiden special weight, won by Annexperience (left) with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Jeremiah Englehart.
Leon Blue (center) edges favorite Smooth Breeze (left) and Sounds Like A Plan in the Rick Violette Stakes with Chris Elliott onboard for trainer Melanie Giddings.
Stars and Stripes wins an allowance race in the rain with José Lezcano onboard for trainer Bill Mott.
Leslie’s Rose turns for home on her way to win the Grade II Shuvee Stakes with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Future Is Now takes the Grade III Caress Stakes with Paco López onboard for trainer Mike Trombetta.
Scottish Lassie upsets the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks, winning by 15 1/2 lengths, with Joel Rosario onboard for trainer Jorge Abreu.
Book’em Danno is led out to the track for the Grade II Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes, which he won with Paco López onboard for trainer Derek Ryan.
The field turns for home in an optional claiming.
The field heads down the backstretch in the Grade II Honorable Miss Stakes, won by Halina’s Forte (far right) with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard for trainer Phil Bauer.
The field jumps over one of the hurdles in the Grade I A.P. Smithwick Memorial Handicap, won by Historic Heart (far right) with Danny Mullins onboard for trainer Keri Brion.
Freedom’s Way (front) makes his way past Vesting and Crystal Quest to win an optional claiming with Luis Sáez onboard for trainer Eddie Kenneally.
The field heads past the wire for the first time in the Curlin Stakes, won by Chancer McPatrick (right) with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard for trainer Chad Brown.
So Sandy, Chancer McPatrick, and Strategic Risk battle down the stretch in the Curlin Stakes.
Stewie (left) outlasts Leo’s Reward in an allowance race with Irad Ortiz, Jr. onboard for trainer James Begg.
Daisy Flyer prevails in the Grade III Lake George Stakes with José Lezcano onboard for trainer Rusty Arnold.
Baeza heads out to the track with Hector Berrios onboard for the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes. Although in his own right an excellent horse, the John Shirreffs trainee has found himself in second and third place a lot this year behind the likes of Journalism and Sovereignty.
Sovereignty heads out to the track for the Jim Dandy with regular rider Junior Alvarado onboard.
The field heads around the first turn in the Jim Dandy, with winner Sovereignty sitting in second behind Mo Plex.
Sovereignty and Junior Alvarado team up once again to take the Jim Dandy for trainer Bill Mott, adding to the colt’s growing resume. Click here to read the digital edition of this issue of The Special.
Grade I winner Sandman, piloted by José Ortiz, finished a surprising fifth in the Jim Dandy.
Maggie Wolfendale interviews Junior Alvarado after his Jim Dandy score.
While we’re at it, I’ve published the first of two videos I’ve been working on capturing the sights and scenes of the track this summer. Watch it below (email subscribers, click here to watch the video):
Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll share the rest of my favorite racing photos from this summer!
To see more of my equine photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos and videos in this post © Samantha Decker and may not be reused without permission.
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One thought on “Saratoga Race Course 2025: The Races Part I”
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Wonderful!!