The 2018 Saratoga racing season concluded Monday with the second highest all-sources handle in track history, despite a meet plagued by rain-soaked days. With 50 races forced off the turf, total all-sources handle generated during the meet was $659,083,459. It was $676,709,490 in 2017 when only 27 races were taken off the turf.
The 2018 season also witnessed the largest all-sources handle in Travers Day and Woodward Day history, and the second largest wagering ever on opening day. On the final Saturday of the season, NYRA set another record for handle when $31,030,034 from all-sources was wagered on Woodward Day, easily eclipsing the previous Woodward Day record set in 2017 by 11.3%.
Brown, Ortiz, Jr. Take Spa Titles
Chad Brown earned his second H. Allen Jerkens training title with a record-setting 46 victories during Saratoga's 40-day meet which concluded Monday.
“It's been an outstanding meet,” said Brown, who was bettering the previous record win total of 40 he set in 2016 and which was equaled by Todd Pletcher in 2017. “We're just thankful for all the good fortune we've had. Saratoga always holds a special place in my heart being from the area. Being so up close with all the fans, friends and family all meet on a daily basis makes it extra special to win here. I'm just so proud of the horses that have shown up and ran so well for us. My staff of course, they deserve all the credit. They're in here working 24-7 and making sure everything's checked and prepared, which makes it easy for me coming to the barn every day.”
Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. also captured his second title at the Spa, taking the Angel Cordero, Jr. award after riding 52 winners at the stand.
“We worked really hard to win the title and now we can enjoy it,” Ortiz said. “My agent, Steve Rushing, did such a great job and all the owners and trainers who gave me an opportunity. Without them it wouldn't have been possible. I won on a lot of nice horses this summer, I can't name them all at the moment, but each of them was special. Diversify winning the [GI] Whitney was a top moment, but they were all special.”
The meet's leading owner was Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables with 21 victories and earnings of more than $1.429 million. Klaravich ended Michael Dubb's four-year streak of leading owner titles in Saratoga.
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