Some local merchants, restaurant owners, and even summer residents feel we should stretch the season. In theory, it seems a logical idea until you look more closely at the days of shrinking light.

Attendance would drop off drastically when summer ends and the kids with parents in tow head back to school. Saratogians need to get on with their lives too, and come Labor Day they return from Lake Placid, Lake George and various sundry locations to reclaim their homes. 

Del Mar, Keeneland, Oaklawn and Saratoga are the only racing venues in the country which are perennially well attended throughout their seasons. These meets share three qualities; they are seasonally appropriate, short in duration and offer quality racing. When several years ago an additional two weeks was added to Saratoga’s meet, many horsemen and fans were prompted to buy homes here. Saratoga is a beloved place to be however, purists contend that the four week meet was best. I understand both sides of this argument, but being bent toward tradition and quality racing, I too find myself longing for the days when every Saturday was clearly branded with its marquee race - The Whitney, the Alabama, the Travers, and on the last Saturday, the Hopeful. No one wanted to miss even one day of the Saratoga meet.  These days an unsettling indifference to missing a day or even a week has begun to creep in.  

Please do not ask me to get excited about squeezing the lemon another time. All too soon the champagne would lose its bubbles and except for “Big Race” days; racing here would take on the paled look of other meets stretched too long. We would be forced to put racing itself on steroids to keep it strong. 

Our uniqueness has long been tempered by the influence of racing aficionados. Embrace what we have, integrate with the intensity the “August People” provide. Believe me, you will never find another group capable of adding so many flavors.

The parking for downtown portends to be an even greater nightmare this year as we see more and more areas closed for construction.  Our newly installed bus system so wonderfully provides convenient transportation to the mall and to the Racino. Why is the racing crowd left to shuttle from the track to downtown one car at a time? Thirsty, tired, hungry race-goers are ready for a drink, maybe just Saratoga water but a drink. They are more than ready to relax, enjoy a nice meal and maybe stroll into a shop or two. Why do we not offer them the option to bus in and get them safely and conveniently back to their cars at the end of their evenings?

Downtown business would certainly be bolstered by such a plan and racing fans would appreciate to save the time and gas circling for a parking space. Parking a mile and a quarter away is not appealing to folks. The modern racegoer is neither bred nor shod to go the distance.

OFF to the Races,

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Marilyn Lane, a freelance writer, has a lifelong association with horses. Her experience includes more than 20 years as an owner, trainer and breeder of thoroughbreds. She was an assistant trainer to Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg during Alysheba’s racing career. You can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it