SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When the noted British architect, John Carr, designed and built the first grandstand at York race course in 1754, little did anyone know that it would be an enduring prototype for racetrack grandstands around the world for the next 250 years.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – MSG Plus, in partnership with The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), presents the first episode of “Saturdays at Saratoga” tomorrow, July 31 at 5:00 p.m. live from historic Saratoga Race Course. Saturday’s one-hour telecast will feature the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana and the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy – Saratoga’s traditional prep for the Grade 1, $1 million Travers. Jason Blewitt, Eric Donovan and Andy Serling will provide commentary for the telecast.

About the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana:

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Get Stormy will try to carry his speed 1 1/16th miles over the Mellon Turf when he faces a competitive field on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course in the 26th running of the Grade 2, $150,000 Fourstardave.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Unrivaled Belle and Malibu Prayer headline a talented group of six for Sunday’s 35th renewal of the Grade 1, $250,000 Ruffian Handicap, which makes its Saratoga Race Course debut.

Previously run at Belmont Park, the 1 1/8th-mile Ruffian is a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.

By Ashley Herriman

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Perfect Shirl got a perfect trip in Wednesday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Lake George at Saratoga Race Course, posting a 9-1 upset in the field of 12 to earn her first graded stakes victory.

Patiently ridden by John Velazquez, Perfect Shirl sat sixth off early fractions of 23.65 and 47.76 set by Go Ask Alex. Advancing on the turn, she swung four wide straightening for home and overtook 57-1 longshot Exclusive Love in the final jumps for a three-quarter length victory.

WHAT: A charity basketball game to raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy.

WHO: The New York jockeys take on a squad of New York horsemen and racetrack executives.

Expected to play for the jockeys are Robby Albarado, Javier Castellano, Eibar Coa, Kent Desormeaux, Alan Garcia, Jose Lezcano, and John Velazquez.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Forever Together will attempt to become the first horse to win the Grade 1 Diana three consecutive years when she takes on a contentious group of fillies and mares in Saturday’s 72nd renewal of the $500,000, 1 1/8th-mile event over the Mellon Turf at Saratoga Race Course.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) have announced a partnership to air the series “Saturdays at Saratoga” on MASN, expanding the distribution of the program to a seven-state region that extends from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Charlotte, North Carolina, and reaches more than 5.5 million households.

Classofsixtythree heads to Ruffian with special cheering section
Safe Trip targets Amsterdam
Worstcasescenario back at the Spa; Sovereign Default eyes Saratoga Special
Zifzaf to get class test in Fourstardave
Pletcher aims for Goodwood Glory with Starfish Bay (UK)
Free oral cancer screening August 4
Free thoroughbred farm tours on August 10 and August 24
Select mutuels open 12:15 p.m. for simulcasting on “Party at the Spa” Friday

By Jenny Kellner

ELMONT, N.Y. – Haynesfield enjoyed a perfect trip under Ramon Dominguez Saturday afternoon at Belmont Park to win the 124th running of the Grade 2, $300,000 Suburban Handicap as favored I Want Revenge settled for third in his comeback bid.