Whitney Handicap

[atakante]

Never been to Saratoga, but considering visiting since I have a business reason to be in NYC.  Does it make a big difference in terms of the experience making it on the day of Whitney Handicap vs. the following weekend when they have Fourstardave?

[Tavasco]

I believe your question will result in very subjective responses. First of all, I think you will look back and chuckle to yourself about your considerations. Further, I\'d like to congratulate you for the decision to go.

I for one found my first trip to be magical. Not unlike finding oneself in Brigadoon. Technicolor for the first time. Its a sensory experience.

Yes they have racing. Speaking for myself my first could have been a weekday, or a weekend any weekend. Each week has its subtle uniqueness. Veterans may debate the cards and even individual races for me my trip was transcendental I know there was racing yet I hardly remember one.

I remember the lawn, the grandstands (I swear they creak), the patrons, the banners, the proximity to downtown. The food.

Thanks for the memories.

[atakante]

Thanks Tavasco, that\'s what I suspected. Looking forward to a magical day to remember hopefully with some fairy greenback dust to boot

[jerry]

Depends on what you\'re into. All of the racing is good. There\'s a stakes race of some sort almost everyday. The weather\'s important. They card a lot of turf races so rain can really spoil a good card and they get some hellacious storms up there (as if that\'s predictable but just saying). I actually prefer weekdays to weekends just because the crowds are smaller. Big race days mean big crowds which mean long lines to everything. It can get quite uncomfortable when the stands are packed. But, there is a pretty big festive vibe on those days which you might like. If you\'re going for a week I\'d go from Thursday thru Monday. That way you get a taste of both.

[atakante]

Thanks Jerry, I\'ll shoot for 4-5 days covering the Whitney Handicap.

[Topcat]

jerry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Depends on what you\'re into. All of the racing is
> good. There\'s a stakes race of some sort almost
> everyday. The weather\'s important. They card a lot
> of turf races so rain can really spoil a good card
> and they get some hellacious storms up there (as
> if that\'s predictable but just saying). I actually
> prefer weekdays to weekends just because the
> crowds are smaller. Big race days mean big crowds
> which mean long lines to everything. It can get
> quite uncomfortable when the stands are packed.
> But, there is a pretty big festive vibe on those
> days which you might like. If you\'re going for a
> week I\'d go from Thursday thru Monday. That way
> you get a taste of both.


The weather is key to maximum enjoyment of the potential bliss.   Duck the raindrops if you can . . . and it\'s much more fun when it\'s not blistering-hot.   The magic number is 80.