Lesson Four: A) How to Read a Program; and B) What's In A Name? by Justine Blair Carroll
June 3 , 2007
How to Read a Program (Click to link)
What's In A Name?
OK! Now that you're thoroughly versed in reading the Post Parade (program) at your local racetrack—on to Part Two, insights into the names of stakes races. You can come to Saratoga this summer, and—program firmly in-hand, decide to win big bucks on these races. You'll be so well-prepared by the time you get here, you'll seem like an old pro! And if you're not coming to Saratoga this meet—you may be inspired to research into the names of stakes races at your local or favorite racecourse. And if you do—please submit it as an article. We'd love your input!
Many thanks to our own Justine Blair Carroll, a knowledgeable horsewoman; inveterate researcher and gifted writer, for providing Part Two:
What's In A Name?
…Most of the feature races at Saratoga Race Course have a story behind the name.
Here are a few of them:
THE DIANA HANDICAP
A Grade 1 for 3 year old and up Fillies run at 1 1/8 miles, is named for Diana, mythological Goddess of the Hunt. Although now a Turf Race, the Diana was run on the main track until 1973.
THE DARLEY TEST
A Grade 1 for 3 year old Fillies at seven furlongs, is considered a test on the road to running the Grade 1 ALABAMA later on in the Saratoga Meet.
THE GO FOR WAND
A Grade 1 over 1 1/8 miles for Fillies and Mares older than 3 years. Was originally known as THE MASKETTE. The Filly, Go For Wand, smashed through all of Saratoga's Grade 1 races as a 3 year old, winning THE MASKETTE, THE (DARLEY) TEST, and THE ALABAMA. Sadly, in the Breeder's Cup Distaff, Go For Wand shattered her ankle and had to be put down. She was buried the next day in Saratoga's infield, and THE MASKETTE was renamed.
THE WHITNEY HANDICAP
A Grade 1 for 3 year old and older at 1 1/8 miles, is named for the Whitney family, a Saratoga and horseracing staple for over 100 years. The first WHITNEY was run in 1928.
THE JIM DANDY
A Grade II for 3 year olds at 1 1/8 miles, is named for a horse that scored one of racing's all time great upsets. In the 1930 TRAVERS, Jim Dandy was sent off at 100-1 odds, yet brushed past Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox to win by an astounding eight lengths!
THE SWORD DANCER INVITATIONAL HANDICAP
A Grade I for 3 year olds and up at 1 1/2 miles, is named for Mrs. Isabel Dodge Sloane's Brookmeade Stable colorbearer, who was named Horse of The Year in 1959, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977.
THE YADDO
A race for New York bred Fillies and Mares run at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, is named for the Saratoga Springs estate endowed by Spencer & Katrina Trask as a working community for artists, writers and composers.
THE ALABAMA
A Grade I for 3 year old Fillies run at 1 1/4 miles, is the second oldest race for Fillies in the United States. THE ALABAMA was first run in 1872; THE LADIES HANDICAP preceded it in 1868.
THE PERSONAL ENSIGN
A Grade I for Fillies and Mares run at 1 1/4 miles, is named for an undefeated Filly owned and bred by Ogden Phipps. Personal Ensign went 13-13 in a career that included scores in the 1988 WHITNEY and the 1988 BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF at Churchill Downs.
THE TRAVERS STAKES
A Grade I for 3 year olds run at 1 1/4 miles, is also known as "THE MID-SUMMER DERBY." It is the oldest stakes race for 3 year olds in the United States. It is named for the first President of Saratoga Race Course, William R. Travers, who won THE INAUGURAL running in 1864 with a horse named Kentucky.
THE SPINAWAY
A Grade I for 2 year old Fillies run at 7 furlongs, is one of the premier events for Juvenile Fillies and dates back to 1881.
THE HOPEFUL
A Grade I for 2 year olds run at 7 furlongs, gets its name for Owners' hopes that their Colts have potential for the Triple Crown campaign. Fourteen HOPEFUL winners have gone on to win the Belmont Stakes the next year.
THE FOREGO
A Grade I for 3 year olds run at 6 1/2 furlongs, is named for Martha Gerry's three time Horse of The Year (1974-76) and fourtime Champion Handicap Horse. Like local favorite Funny Cide, Forego was a gelding, and the Sherrill Ward trained horse ran until he was 7 years old.
...excerpted from THE PINK SHEET of The Saratogian August 2006
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