For the second time in the past three years, The New York Racing Association, Inc. set a record for all-sources wagering on racing at Saratoga, concluding the 2017 Saratoga meet with a handle of $676,709,490. The 2017 handle surpassed the previous high set in 2015 by 4.4 percent and broke the prior record set in 2012 by more than 15 percent. The 4.4 percent increase in wagering from all sources included $157,014,965 in on-track handle, a 3.4 percent increase over last season, which incorporates live pari-mutuel wagering at Saratoga Race Course, at NYRA's downstate tracks and New York State residents who wager through NYRA Bets. Additionally, the $47,870,987 in handle generated on Travers Day marked the second highest handle in history for Saratoga's premier day of racing, an increase of five percent over 2016.
“The 2017 Saratoga meet has truly been outstanding, and for that I would like to extend my gratitude to the fans, owners, trainers and jockeys who continue to make Saratoga so special,” said NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay. “I also want to recognize the men and women of The New York Racing Association who helped make this meet so successful. The record wagering is a reflection of the work of our racing office, the expansion of our national ADW platform NYRA Bets, and the increased reach of our groundbreaking television program Saratoga Live, which is now available in 75 million homes nationwide. And finally, we were certainly blessed with fantastic weather.”
The 40-day meet included 69 stakes worth $18.775 million in purses.
The race for top trainer, jockey and owner came down to the wire at Saratoga this season, with Todd Pletcher capturing his 13th H. Allen Jerkens trainer title; Jose Ortiz winning his second Angel Cordero Jr. riding title in a row with 58 wins; and Michael Dubb, and his various partnerships, taking his fourth straight owners title in the final day at the Spa. Pletcher finished the meet with 40 wins, tying the record set last year by Chad Brown, who finished second in this year's standings with 39 wins.
“I've never won 40 and it's hard to do,” said Pletcher, who captured this season's GII Amsterdam and GII Adirondack S. “I told Chad last year when he did it that it was a hell of an accomplishment. Those guys are tough to beat. We exceeded expectations and I'm proud of it. The whole team put a lot of work into it. I'm proud of the whole staff. [Assistant] Anthony Sciametta at Monmouth sent up winners and Byron Hughes from Belmont sent up winners. It was a big effort by everyone.”
Victories in the GI Alabama S., the GI Longines Test S., and the GII Honorable Miss S. were among meet highlights for leading jockey Jose Ortiz, who also collected five wins in one day Aug. 21.
“Just being able to be here and win races here is huge,” said Ortiz. “To win leading rider for a second year in a row, I feel blessed and I just thank all trainers and owners that give me an opportunity to ride the horses and my agent, who has done a great job and worked really hard for me. The owners, the trainers, all the people on the backstretch, the grooms, exercise riders, hot walkers, without them I couldn't do this.”
Jose's brother Irad Ortiz, Jr. finished second with 53 wins. John Velazquez was third with 46 wins.
Owner Michael Dubb and his various partnerships won the owners title for the fourth straight year. Behind by three wins only a week ago, he concluded the season with 15 winners. Klaravich Stable and William Lawrence were second with 13 winners. Repole Stable and Midwest Thoroughbreds tied for third with nine victories.
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