Horse Racing Partnerships Gear Up for the Best Meets of the Year
In thoroughbred horse racing the month of July marks the beginning of the Summer meets at two of the most unique, and visited venues in the country. On the West coast, The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is situated just 20 miles north of San Diego. On the East Coast, Saratoga Race Course is just about a 3 hour drive north of Manhattan. Both tracks have a storied history and some of the best racing condensed into about 7 weeks with non-stop action for thoroughbred horse racing partnerships and owners alike.
Dating back to 1863, Saratoga Race Course held their inaugural thoroughbred race at what is now the Okalahoma training track just across the street from where the main track is today. The Saratoga meet was originally only 4 days, and as the years went on it continued to be lengthened because of its popularity to what it is today, 40 racing dates. The track was originally developed and supported by John Hunter, who went on to become chairman of the Jockey Club, William R. Travers, former boxer, future congressman John Morrissey, and Cornelius Vanderbilt. Saratoga Race Course has continued to be in use since its opening to thoroughbred horse racing in 1863, except from 1911-1912 when anti-gambling legislation was passed in the state, and then also from 1943-1945 during WWII. Otherwise, Saratoga has been a home to some of the best thoroughbreds to ever run in the United States.
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club first opened in 1937 with the likes of Bing Crosby, one of the track’s biggest supporters and co-founders, who was at the gates on opening day taking tickets. Del Mar has been a Southern California staple each year for thoroughbred horse racing syndicates and fans, bringing together perfect weather and location, as well as some of the year’s best races. Located right on the coast, the track has some spectacular views that no other track in the country has. With its proximity to the beach, fans and owners make a vacation out of their trip to the races staying weeks at a time “Where the surf meets the turf” at Del Mar.
Between Del Mar and Saratoga, 33 racing dates at Del Mar and 40 at Saratoga there are a combined 98 Stakes races between the 73 racing dates, and 24 of them are Grade 1 races! All combined into a short period of time from the middle of July through Labor Day in early September these tracks host some of the best racing in the world. Thoroughbred horse racing partnerships travel form across the country to send their horses to these meets and to race in the top Stakes races that can make a horse’s career, and also fulfill the hopes and dreams of the horse racing syndicates. At Blinkers On Racing Stable, our thoroughbred horse racing partnership was fortunate enough to win the 2011 G1 Test Stakes at Saratoga with Turbulent Descent. Winning a race of this magnitude at Saratoga, that holds soo much thoroughbred horse racing history, was an experience that no one in the horse racing partnership will ever forget.
This year, we will not be sending any horses to Saratoga, but we will be sending about 9 horses down to Del Mar for the meet. Between 4 two year olds and 5 older horses the Blinkers On horse racing partnerships should have a very busy and fun meet. We will have partners flying in from all over the country to see their horses run and enjoy the spectacular racing and weather that comes together at The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Good luck to all the Blinkers On horse racing partnerships this year at Del Mar!
Blinkers On
Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!
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