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Saratoga Infield...

It use to be open to fans to go out and watch the races like they do at Santa Anita and most notably at the Preakness.

What is the reason they dont open this up anymore?

Wouldnt it be a good idea to have an additional area for fans to go, at least on the Big Days like Travers Day? I would think this would be a huge to concession stands too.

It hasn't been open since the 70s. Back in those days, the backyard was much smaller, and the area back there was used much more for saddling. They eliminated some of the parking lot, and spread the backyard more, and thus created much more space. They rarely used the infield anyway.

If they open the infield, it is harder to run turf races, as they have to have a ramp over the courses, and taking it up and putting it down isn't particularly easy. I suppose if they were to open the infield they would need to build two tunnels, which while possible, is expensive and frankly there are more pressing issues for those dollars.

I saw Conquistador Cielo win a stake at 2 from the infield. Before grass racing was so popular it was not a big deal to build a portable bridge over the grass courses. The bridge was not removed for the day, meaning no turf racing on an "infield" day.
As Andy said, a tunnel is the only reasonable option and at this point, that is probably not the place where NYRA should be spending it's money. Also, you need to provide shelter for the fans and employees out there. That means tents that would certainly obstruct views.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I remember being out there when I was a little kid, thought it was more like the early 80's but I could be wrong. It was nice, but just a thought. I know the logistics would be a pain in the butt. If I remember right, they had windows out there you could bet at and snacks.

They had a green footbridge that crossed the grass so fans were not walking ON the turf courses. It was an era when not holding ANY grass races on a Saturday afternoon wouldn't ruffle any feathers. Grass racing has come a long way in the US since then.

Many Europeans would find that horses don't show their best on dirt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus

Since we're not going to see a bridge or tunnel of any kind to get to the Saratoga infield anytime soon -- when we start "beaming" people Star Trek style we'll have people in the infield -- I am commenting on what is highlighted above.

Many of the old-time horse owners and handicappers to whom I have spoken-- guys who have watched races for more than 40 years -- have said something to the effect that "horses don't show their true form on turf." (One actually said that verbatim.) There used to be, I suspect, a bias against turf racing. Despite that some great, great old-time horses have been outstanding turf performers -- Round Table and Dr. Fager (stretching it a bit) -- we were so dirt-oriented that turf racing was mostly discarded by some.

I guess that I am not surprised that such a policy existed at Saratoga (concerning not racing on turf when people walked into the infield over the turf course), but I couldn't imagine something like that today at any track.

there still is. we've come a long way, but still a ways to go.