All Things Saratoga 2008
 

(If this belongs in the "Get Togethers" thread by all means, please move.)

It's about the time, isn't it? Sixteen days and counting. It seems like every year this board perks up just at the mention of the Spa - any why not? It's where I fell in love with racing. I figured, why not a catch all thread for things Spa related as we gear up for Opening Day. My first opening day since 2005 I believe.

I'll start with a golf question. The group of guys I head up with Travers wants to play while we're there this year but I've never played anywhere in the area. Anyone have any experience with what courses to play, deals, maybe even what to avoid?

Going to try and play on a weekday morning, like a Thursday or Friday.

I like the State Park course quite a bit. No reason to overpay anywhere else. If you want a little quicker round, try Saratoga Lake GC, which is a bit quirky but still fun.

I don't know where you are coming from, but if you don't mind going north of Saratoga, I would recommend either Hiland or Kingswood, both about a half hour north of Saratoga. They are nice layouts, and on a weekday morning, the pace of play should be decent, and you should be able to reserve a tee time if you call in advance. Down in the Albany area, the best public course is probably Orchard Creek.

In Saratoga, the Saratoga State Park Course is a good bargain, but it is tough to get a tee time. Saratoga National is a tough track and pricey (over $100 per round), but also the best conditioned "public" course in the Capital District area.

Kelso wins 1965 Whitney

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.c...33/1/index.htm

Buckpasser wins '65 Travers

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.c...8930/index.htm

I am particularly partial to the mini-golf course behind the Saratoga Mall. I am a little worried that my friend's 10YO son will have caught up to me this year. In my defense he is the best 10YO athlete in Saratoga.

A great, lengthy piece from 1968, "The Mafia at Saratoga."

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.c...1804/index.htm

Do they simulcast the T-breds from the Spa down the road at the harness track ?

I heard the Albany otb was nice for playing the Spa too.

Onion beats Secretariat in Whitney

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.c...7658/index.htm

Slew and Affirmed prep for Marlboro at Saratoga.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.c...3982/index.htm

I think we'll probably try to play in the area, but these are good places to check out and present to the rest of the crew. Thanks.

Lengthy great piece by W. Nack -1988

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.c...7650/index.htm

Slew lost a race in between.

I'm pretty sure they do. They simulcast about every other track in the country.

Yes he did. And that's why he paid $6.20 in the Marlboro/

Andy - i know some in saratoga who may disagree with the above statement, are you sure you know ALL the top 10 yr old athlete's in Saratoga??

the state spa course is by far the best value and closest to the track , it is a nice mix of holes with some tough greens

No, but if you knew who I was talking about you might agree.

possibly , make sure if you want to beat him don't concede any putts

It is my goal to make children cry. I concede nothing.

He probably knows all the waitresses. :D

Anybody ever stay at the state park near Saratoga ?

Nobody seems to have mentioned that the Spa course in the park can make for a l-o-o-o-o-n-g round, particularly during racing season.

Brookhaven is kind of a fun course -- it's about fifteen minutes away from Saratoga (http://www.brookhavengolfclub.com/).

I played the Saratoga Lake course for the first time last fall -- also a fun little course.

FTFY

McGregor links is a nice course but private so good luck! The course by the SPAC is nice, but will be tough to get a tee time around Travers I imagine. The par 3 course by the SPAC is also fun if you only have 1-2 hours to spare!

Even though it's pricey, Saratoga National is a must. Tough track, but in great shape and tremendous amenities. Fairly easy to get out any day but Tuesday, and the rounds won't be as long as the park.

http://www.saratogian.com/WebApp/app...path=/TST/News

I'm gonna get a membership for the pie crew

Saratoga Mall? Do you mean the Wilton Mall? Gee, all these years and I didn't know it was there! Because I could totally do that Aug. 5.

(I remember an old mall once upon a time, could have been called Saratoga Mall, across the street from where WalMart is now.)

Edited because although I have been, at times in my life, a writer, I have never been a typist.

Like Phil and Gales mentioned...the State Park course is fantastic and reasonable (I always say that when they only charge me cart fee:D )

If I remember, they only take tee times 1 week in advance. Just one word of advice though...don't play at 6:50AM, hungover, with 3 other drunks. BAAAAAAAAAAAAD IDEA:zz: :zz:

Nice resource, thanks.

"Golf in Saratoga"

Hmm. Don't play.

Where to eat. Been done to death.

The National Museum of Racing will be showing "First Saturday in May" all meet. I hope to get to see that.

I'll bet there are still craft fairs in the park on Tuesdays. Congress Park, that is.

There's a music festival downtown the first weekend of the meet.

Anyone hear of any book signings yet? I love book signings. I'll bet Prado will be signing his Barbaro book (but I picked that up at Keeneland) somewhere.

I am looking forward to the Dunce Cap giveaway. I will stand in line for that. I may spin too.

My ex-girlfriend makes my dunce caps. I am sure she would be happy to make one for you.

If I can get an autographed one...hat size 7 5/8ths

Thanks for that SenttoStud. A very nice piece of historical fiction.

I've gotta say I have similar memories of such characters from attending tracks as a little kid in Cleveland in the late 1950's and early 1960's.


One of my greatest motivations for eventually jacking my bets up to the $50 and $100 level was so I could have a special window. I miss those days! They weren't around much longer after I could legally bet.

I actually remember a "Combine" window, just for bets across the board on a single horse.

Anyhow, a nice story from 1968, and thanks for sharing.

And I especially appreciate going to the SI Cover of that issue and seeing my 1968 Ohio State Buckeyes!

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.c...1786/index.htm

Here's a bit more on the author....and it's an OK read, too.