Saratoga Surfaces Under Scrutiny After Tragic Losses
The Saratoga racing surfaces are set to be heavily scrutinized this summer after the tragic loss of 14 horses during last year’s meet, which dampened much of the excitement. Leading the charge to ensure fair and safe conditions is Chad Brown, who tied for the training title with 35 victories during the 40-day stand.
Brown was critical of the Belmont Stakes racing festival at Saratoga, claiming the dirt track played heavily towards front-runners and speed horses. “That track was really hard Belmont week,” said Brown. “You saw the times. You saw the speed-favoring track.” This was evidenced by the performance of his talented filly Randomized, who sustained a quarter crack injury that Brown attributes to the hard, unforgiving surface.
However, Brown’s stable still found success during the festival, with impressive wins from Ways and Means, General Partner, and Idiomatic, who had her six-race winning streak halted by Randomized. The Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra Leone’s third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes was also hampered by the speed bias, according to Brown.
“I know they’re working on it,” he said. “Some people were complaining about it. It wasn’t really fair.”
The Saratoga meet, which opens on Thursday and runs through Labor Day, will be a crucial test for the racing surfaces. Brown is hopeful the New York Racing Association has addressed the concerns raised by trainers and is committed to providing a fair, balanced racetrack.
As one of the leading trainers at Saratoga, Brown is expected to be a contender for the training title throughout the meet. He will saddle half the field in Saturday’s prestigious Diana Stakes, seeking a record-extending ninth victory in the Grade 1 event. Chili Flag, an improved 5-year-old, leads his formidable contingent, which also includes defending champion Whitebeam, Coppice, Fluffy Socks, and Gina Romantica.
While the Travers Stakes has eluded Brown so far, he believes he has two strong contenders this year. Sierra Leone is likely to use the Jim Dandy Stakes as a prep, while the lightly raced but promising Unmatched Wisdom will be given a chance to prove himself in the Curlin Stakes on July 19. “That horse is nice,” said Brown. “If he can stay healthy and run the right way in the Curlin, that’s another horse possibly for the Travers.”
As the Saratoga meet approaches, all eyes will be on the racing surfaces and the efforts of trainers like Chad Brown to ensure a fair and safe environment for both horses and jockeys. The anticipation is palpable, as the historic racetrack aims to bounce back from last year’s challenges and deliver another thrilling summer of Thoroughbred racing.
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