Now that the Saratoga summer meet is over, I have begun 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 second batch of favorite photos taken during races. Click here to view my other posts about the track.
Ted Noffey (second from left) breaks his maiden first time out on Whitney day with John Velázquez onboard for trainer Todd Pletcher. The two-year-old colt followed the win with a score in the Grade I Hopeful Stakes on closing day.
Ewing stays perfect while winning the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Mark Casse.
Deterministic heads out to the track with Kendrick Carmouche onboard to win the Grade I Fourstardave Handicap, the Miguel Clément trainee’s second grade 1 win.
World Beater takes the Grade I Saratoga Derby with Junior Alvarado onboard, earning trainer Riley Mott, son of Bill, his first graded stakes victory.
Sierra Leone gallops out after a dazzling performance in the Grade I Whitney Stakes with Flavien Prat onboard for trainer Chad Brown. Click here to read the digital edition of this issue of The Special.
Fierceness and John Velázquez head back to the front side after a disappointing fifth place finish in the Whitney. The Todd Pletcher trainee rebounded four weeks later by winning the Grade I Pacific Classic Stakes.
Flavien Prat is interviewed by Maggie Wolfendale on his way back to the winner’s circle.
The field rounds the first turn in the Grade II Ballston Spa Stakes.
Dylan Davis and Ozara return to the winner’s circle after winning the Ballston Spa for trainer Miguel Clément.
Laurelin stays perfect in the Grade II Saratoga Oaks with Kendrick Carmouche onboard for trainer Graham Motion.
El Cordobes upsets the Grade I Sword Dancer Stakes with Flavien Prat onboard for trainer Charlie Appleby.
El Cordobes returns after taking the Sword Dancer. Click here to read the digital edition of this issue of The Special.
In Her Glory (center) breaks her maiden with Luis Sáez onboard for trainer Michael Trombetta.
It’s Our Time (white silks) graduates at first asking with Luis Sáez onboard for trainer Tom Amoss.
The field heads around the first turn in the Grade I Alabama Stakes, won by the Mark Casse-trained Nitrogen (left).
Nitrogen and José Ortiz catch their breath after their Alabama score. Click here to read the digital edition of this issue of The Special.
Nitrogen joins up with outrider Miguel Gutiérrez.
May Day Ready takes the Grade II Lake Placid Stakes with José Ortiz onboard for trainer Joseph Lee on a very chalky Travers day card.
Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, with her regular rider Brian Hernandez, Jr. onboard, is in the mix as the field heads or the first turn in the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes.
Dorth Vader (outside) and Thorpedo Anna battle down the stretch in the Personal Ensign, won by the latter by a nose.
Book’em Danno leaves ’em all behind, winning the Grade I Forego with Paco López onboard for trainer Derek Ryan.
The field of five heads down the stretch for the first time in the Grade I Travers Stakes.
Photographers point their lenses at Sovereignty as he runs away with the Travers, giving jockey Junior Alvarado and trainer Bill Mott each their first win in the race.
Junior celebrates his win aboard Sovereignty.
Praying upsets the Grade III Prioress Stakes with Eric Cancel onboard for trainer Robbie Media.
Universe shines on debut with Chris Elliott in the irons for trainer Kenny McPeek.
Bellezza captures the Grade II Flower Bowl Stakes with an overjoyed Jaime Rodríguez onboard for trainer Miguel Clément.
Irad Ortiz falls to the ground after being unseated from Mindframe during the running of the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Flavien Prat looks back at Irad Ortiz after the chaos that ensued in the moments prior.
A riderless Mindframe heads for the first turn with the rest of the field. Thankfully, both horse and rider ended up ok.
Antiquarian prevails in an eventful Jockey Club Gold Cup with John Velázquez onboard for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Ted Noffey closes out the graded stakes action at the Spa with a win in the Grade I Hopeful with John Velázquez onboard for trainer Todd Pletcher, who tied with Chad Brown for the training title.
Stars and Strides heads out to the track with Junior Alvarado onboard to win the Saranac Stakes, the last stake of the meet, for trainer Bill Mott.
While we’re at it, I’ve published the second 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):
Bonus: Below is my annual “Stars of the Spa” doodle. Follow me on Instagram to see more of my doodles.
To see more of my equine photography be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. All photos, illustrations 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 II”
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Fantastic!!