I should have known better. It wasn’t some inexperienced trainer who felt the equipment addition necessary, it was a seven-time Eclipse Award winning conditioner. I’m sorry for doubting you, Todd Pletcher.
The Program: Race Callers
The ability to capture the greatest moments in horse racing history in words that will be encapsulated for generations to cherish is the everlasting gift that race callers give to the sport. The best race calls of all time are remembered almost equivalent to the performances of the actual champion race horses. The track announcer is tied to these legendary horses and races for years to come.
The Program: Tournament Handicapping Workshop
“The great thing about contests is that the barrier to entry is so small, in terms of money, there really is nothing to be intimidated about,” said Fornatale. “In contests, there’s really (no) limit to what you can win, but there is a limit to what you can lose. That to me is what can make it very empowering. It’s a very safe way and great way to learn the game and compete against the best players without a lot of risk.”
What Inspires Me: Casse Racing Fueled by Generations of Horsemen
The Program: Hispanic Leaders in Racing
Dominguez will share the importance of seeing Thoroughbred racing as more than just gambling. He aims to focus on the beauty of the races and the complexities behind the scenes that allow the horses to make it to the track in the first place. Dominguez emphasized why Saratoga is a perfect place for this conversation. “It’s a very unique place where the fan can actually get to experience the beauty of the sport, and not only the betting aspect, that’s just one component of racing. It’s a whole.”
The Program: Author Series
When you love horse racing, it not only gets in your blood – it gets in your mind. When you can’t be at the rail or in the barns, nothing beats spending some time reading a good book about horses. The Author Series at Equestricon brings the people behind the best in our sport’s literature to Saratoga.
Stories: "Nothing but a Camera and a Love of Racing"
Feature: Working with the B.E.S.T.
"Backstretch workers are the backbone of the racing industry,” said Larry Collmus, New York Racing Association announcer and the voice of the Triple Crown. “They’re out there every single morning and all day long working with these horses and they deserve as much help as they can get. It’s great for us to be able to help them out because without them we wouldn’t have these magnificent horses making their way to the race track for us to enjoy every day”
