Ramseys, Pletcher, Castellano earn titles at 150th Saratoga meet

Ramseys, Pletcher, Castellano earn titles at 150th Saratoga

meet

Ken and Sarah Ramsey set a record for victories by an owner at Saratoga, with

trainer Todd Pletcher taking his fourth consecutive training title and Javier

Castellano earning his first riding title at the conclusion of a celebratory

150th anniversary meet on Monday.

"So many things contributed to the success of this meet," New York Racing

Association CEO and President Chris Kay said. "Most notable was the racing which

-- day in, day out -- is the best in the country.

"There also were many wonderful events including our Jockey Appreciation Day

honoring John Velazquez, Jerry Bailey and Angel Cordero Jr., and those made

possible by the Saratoga 150 Committee, including our birthday celebration on

Whitney Day and the $15,000 wagers courtesy of Marylou Whitney and John

Hendrickson. I want to thank all the jockeys, trainers, owners and fans who

supported our meet, and also the men and women of the New York Racing

Association who strived to deliver a great guest experience to all."

Among the racing highlights of the 40-day meet were Cross Traffic's sparkling

victory in the Whitney Invitational Handicap, Princess of Sylmar's Grade 1

triumphs in theCoaching Club American Oaks and Alabama, reigning Horse of the

Year Wise Dan's win in the Fourstardave Handicap, Alpha's return to the Spa

winner's circle in the Woodward, and Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas's two

Grade 1 victories, in the Travers with Will Take Charge on August 24 and in the

Hopeful with Strong Mandate on September 2, his 78th birthday.

Velazquez became the all-time leading rider at Saratoga on July 27 when he

broke Bailey's mark of 693 victories. Velazquez, Bailey and their fellow Hall of

Famer Cordero were honored in a special ceremony on August 23 as the track's

three all-time leading riders, with a special commemorative plaque honoring

their achievements displayed outside the jockeys' room.

As well, recently retired rider Ramon Dominguez was honored in the winner's

circle on August 25, when he was presented with the reinstituted Mike Venezia

Award by NYRA and the trophy for his third straight Eclipse Award, which he was

unable to accept in January after suffering a career-ending spill. A $15,000

donation on behalf of Dominguez was made to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys

Fund, with proceeds from closing-day admissions also going to the PDJF.

The tradition of the track's community involvement continued with the annual

Fabulous Fillies Day on August 14, when more than $100,000 was raised to benefit

the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Ramseys, who were recognized for their record-breaking meet by Kay in a

winner's circle ceremony on Saturday, had 22 winners, capped by Big Blue

Kitten's triumph in the Sword Dancer Invitational on August 17, one of three

Grade 1 wins on the day around the country for the owners. It was the third time

the Ramseys had been the leading owners at the Spa, having taken the title in

2008 and 2009. The previous record for victories by an owner was 18, set by

Zayat Stable in 2007.

Pletcher, a winner of 36 races, added his 10th career H. Allen Jerkens

training title, also having been Saratoga's leading trainer in 1998, 2002-06,

and 2010-12. With the 10th title, Pletcher surpasses Hall of Famer Bill Mott for

the most meet titles by a trainer. Meet highlights for Pletcher included the

major victories scored by Cross Traffic and Princess of Sylmar.

Chad Brown was the second-leading trainer with 24 wins, with Kiaran

McLaughlin and David Jacobson tying for third with 16 wins each.

During the 40-day meet, Castellano registered 66 wins, including five on

closing day, to take his first Angel Cordero Jr. riding title. Castellano, who

had finished second for the past three years, rode Princess of Sylmar to her big

wins at the Spa. Finishing second was Velazquez (46), with Joel Rosario placing

third (41).

Thoroughbred racing moves downstate to Belmont Park for the 37-day fall meet

beginning Saturday and running through October 27. Live racing is generally

conducted Wednesday through Sunday, with a first race post time of 1:05 p.m.

(EDT) during September and 12:50 p.m. in October. For information on the Belmont

Park fall meet, please visit nyra.com or

call (516) 488-6000.

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