📸 PHOTO OF THE DAY
Thursday at the Spa. Eight races, sunshine, and another Saratoga day ready to go.
OPENING NOTE
Good morning from Saratoga.
Thursday brings an eight-race card headed by the $150,000 New York Stallion Series Cab Calloway, where two sharp 3-year-olds — Chummers and Jaxer — meet after both entering on two-race winning streaks.
First post is 1:10 p.m., the Cab Calloway goes as Race 7 at approximately 4:39 p.m., and NYRA is also holding a Low Roller handicapping contest today.
The biggest breaking racing story this morning, however, is off the tote board: Tyler Gaffalione has been suspended four racing days, including Saturday’s Alabama Day, after HISA ruled he exceeded the crop-use limit for the fourth time in 180 days.
TOP STORIES
Tyler Gaffalione Suspended Four Days — Including Alabama Day
Times Union: HISA suspended Gaffalione Thursday through Sunday and fined him $2,000 after ruling he used the crop eight times — two above the permitted limit — aboard San Siro on August 8.
Why it matters: Gaffalione was scheduled for 11 mounts Saturday, including A. P.’s Girl in the Grade 1 Alabama.
Prat’s Decision Adds Intrigue to Chummers-Jaxer Showdown
Mike Welsch, Daily Racing Form: Chummers and Jaxer both enter today’s Cab Calloway on two-race winning streaks after beating Caroline St. Beat in their latest starts — and Flavien Prat rode both horses in those victories.
He lands on Jaxer today.
Why it matters: This is the most interesting handicapping subplot in today’s feature.
Counting Stars Faces Saratoga History in Saturday’s Alabama
BloodHorse: Counting Stars headlines Saturday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama, the 1¼-mile test that traditionally helps define the 3-year-old filly division.
Why it matters: Alabama Day is now just 48 hours away — and Gaffalione’s suspension reshuffles the jockey picture.
Christopher Elliott Trying to Make His Mark in New York
Times Union: The 20-year-old son of veteran jockey Stewart Elliott has five wins from 83 mounts at this Saratoga meet and is committed to staying in the brutally competitive New York colony after losing his apprentice allowance.
Why it matters: Saratoga’s jockey room is loaded with stars, but Elliott is one of the younger riders worth watching.
LOCAL BUZZ / AROUND THE SPA
Belmont at Saratoga Produced Record Economic Gains
WNYT/NewsChannel 13: A Saratoga County Chamber report says the three-year Belmont run produced major economic gains, including a 35% increase in June revenue per available hotel room over the period Saratoga hosted the Triple Crown race.
Why it matters: Belmont returns to the rebuilt Belmont Park next year, leaving Saratoga businesses to think about how to replace three unusually strong June seasons.
Saratoga Still Faces a Complicated City Budget Picture
Tom Eschen, WRGB/CBS6: Even after the Belmont tourism boom, Saratoga Springs is dealing with a projected multimillion-dollar budget gap and hiring restraints.
Sunrays Equine at the Track Today
NYRA’s Community Outreach Booth today features Sunrays Equine, a Hudson Valley nonprofit focused on horse rescue, therapeutic riding and accessible equine-assisted programs.
EVENTS & THINGS TO DO
Gershwin’s An American in Paris at SPAC — 7:30 p.m.
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Gershwin with pianist Michelle Cann tonight at 7:30.
Planning note: Track departure traffic and SPAC arrivals will overlap this evening, particularly on Route 50.
Upbeat on the Roof: The Millstone Rounders — 6 p.m.
The Millstone Rounders bring acoustic Americana to the lawn outside the Tang at 6 p.m. Free kids’ craft kits begin at 5:30.
Bring chairs, blankets and your own food.
Family pick: Free, outdoors and easy after the races.
Henhouse Prowlers at Caffè Lena — 7 p.m.
The Chicago bluegrass band brings its We Are All Just Human Beings Tour to Phila Street tonight.
Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga Night at Polo
Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga is promoting its THS Night at Saratoga Polo School tonight, with polo beginning at 7 p.m.
HORSE TO WATCH / BEST BET
🐎 Horse to Watch — Jaxer, Race 7
#7 Jaxer
Jaxer comes in off consecutive wins for Graham Motion, and Flavien Prat chooses him over Chummers, whom he also rode to consecutive victories.
That rider decision does not make Jaxer automatic — but in a closely matched field it is meaningful.
💰 Best Bet — Jaxer, Race 7
The Cab Calloway looks like a race to build around Jaxer and Chummers, with A Little At First another logical player.
Tracksider lean: Jaxer to win; Jaxer/Chummers exacta.
🐴 FRED THE HORSE
2026 Saratoga — Day 30
One decent exacta on Wednesday — let’s build the week from there. Good luck.
Race 1
Honk if you like Donk.
$2 exacta wheel 1 with all
Race 2
Girl’s best friend?
$2 exacta wheel 3 with all
Race 3
Bambinos!
$5 win on 3
Race 4
More Bambinos!
$5 win on 2
Race 5
Can’t abide the short-priced favorite.
$3 exacta wheel 1 with all
Race 6
Ugly race.
$5 exacta box 1, 2
Race 7 — NY Stallion Series
Horse for the course.
$3 exacta wheel 1 with all
Race 8
Some triples to end the day.
$1 triple: 6, 8 / 1, 2, 6, 8 / All
Good luck and may the horse be with you.
🏆 JOCKEY & TRAINER STANDINGS
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🎲 VEGAS AL
Vegas Al gets an eight-race Thursday card, including a Cab Calloway where Flavien Prat’s choice may tell us plenty.
Race 1 — 1 Mile Maiden Claiming
A three-horse field — beware. It will run 6-1-2. But is it really worth it?
Plays: PASS
Race 2 — 5½ F Claiming NW2 on Turf
Let’s see if the 4 has finally found the ground — or grass — he wanted all along.
Exacta: 3, 4 / 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and reverse
Tri: Box 3, 4 with the field
Race 3 — 6 F State-Bred Maiden Claiming
Let’s see how far the 1’s speed can take him.
Exacta: 1, 6 / 1, 2, 3, 6 and reverse
Tri: 1, 6 with the field in boxes
Race 4 — 6½ F State-Bred MSW for Fillies
Not much to go on except the mornings. Looking at the breeding, where does the 3’s speed come from?
Exacta: 2, 3 / 1, 2, 3, 4 and reverse
Race 5 — 5½ F Maiden Claiming on Turf
Kendrick on a speedster seems like the perfect fit.
Exacta: 1 / 3, 5, 7 and reverse
Tri:
1 / 3, 5, 7 / 3, 5, 7, 8
3, 5, 7 / 1 / 3, 5, 7, 8
Race 6 — 7 F Allowance
I hate small fields — tough to find value. I looked and looked and couldn’t get past the vulnerable favorite.
Exacta: 2 / 1, 4, 6
Tri: 2 / 1, 4, 6 / All
Race 7 — 1 Mile NY Stallion Series Cab Calloway Stakes on Turf
Prat had three choices to ride. I’ll take his advice.
Exacta: 7 / 1, 2, 3, 6 and reverse
Exacta Boxes:
1, 2, 7
1, 3, 7
Super: Box 1, 2, 7 with the field
Race 8 — 5½ F Optional Claiming on Turf for Fillies & Mares
New barn, new jock and a horse for the course.
Exacta: 2 / 4, 5, 6, 9 and reverse
Tri: Box 2, 5 with the field
Super: Box 2, 4, 5 with the field
INDUSTRY WATCH
Gaffalione’s Suspension Hits Alabama Weekend
Times Union: Gaffalione’s suspension is his latest crop-rule penalty and runs through the full Alabama weekend.
Industry angle: He ranks sixth at Saratoga with 19 wins from 132 starts, so this is not a fringe rider disappearing from the card.
Saratoga Riding Race Is Becoming a Rout
Jose Ortiz has reached 58 victories, 12 ahead of Manny Franco and 18 ahead of Flavien Prat.
Ortiz is winning at a 26.7% clip and has finished in the top three on nearly 57% of his mounts.
Brown-Rice Trainer Battle Still Alive
Chad Brown leads Linda Rice 26-23, while Brad Cox sits third with 17.
Why it matters: With more than two weeks remaining, Rice remains within striking distance of another Saratoga training title.
📺 HOW TO WATCH SARATOGA RACING
Saratoga Live: 1–6:30 p.m.
FS2: 2:30–5 p.m.
Gates: 11 a.m.
First post: 1:10 p.m.
Card: 8 races
Feature: Race 7 — $150,000 Cab Calloway
Feature post: Approximately 4:39 p.m.
Streaming: NYRA’s official stream and NYRA Bets provide live video; wagering is available through NYRA Bets for eligible customers.
🧢 TRACKSIDER GEAR / MERCH DROP
The Stretch Run Is Here
Alabama Saturday. Travers next weekend.
Grab a Saratoga Tracksider hat, shirt or racing-themed gear for the two biggest weekends left at the Spa.
WHY IT MATTERS
Today’s race card is relatively modest by Saratoga standards.
That is exactly why the broader storylines matter.
The Cab Calloway gives us two improving New York-sired horses meeting at the right time. Jose Ortiz has opened a commanding riding lead. Chad Brown and Linda Rice remain locked in a serious trainer race. And Saturday’s Alabama just got more complicated with one of the meet’s leading riders suddenly sidelined.
At Saratoga, even Thursday is setting up Saturday.
🌤️ WEATHER & TRACK CONDITIONS
A very good racing day: mostly sunny, comfortable and around 80 degrees this afternoon, with no significant rain expected.
The main track and turf courses should get favorable conditions, and the evening looks comfortable for SPAC, Caffè Lena or the Tang.
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