Popcorn for breakfast, Sinatra at sunset
Knicks jerseys, backstretch buzz, opera singers and more — Friday at the Spa.
Friday at the Spa
Pink suits, star power, tireless crowds and the TRF: Belatoga’s last Friday was one for the books.
6:31 a.m.
The backstretch is bustling with trainers and owners. “More than I’ve ever seen,” said one horse owner who was out for a quick walk with her dog.
6:53 a.m.
Fruit, muffins and granola bars: At the Oklahoma, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) gears up for its final morning of passing out grab-and-go breakfast items and sharing its mission — dignified lifetime care for retired Thoroughbred racehorses.
“The TRF sanctuary is a big deal to us,” says trainer Michael McCarthy, while pledging a portion of his Belmont earnings to retired racehorses.
8:28 a.m.
Two men in sharp, bright-colored jackets stand out among the fans loaded up with supplies waiting to be let in. The gates won’t open for another 90 minutes.
11:00 a.m.
GATES OPEN
11:10 a.m.
Opera Saratoga’s Maiya Williams sings the national anthem from the Winner’s Circle.
11:14 a.m.
Four people stand in line to have popcorn for breakfast. “That buttery smell!” says one.
12:00 p.m.
Eight jockeys leave the locker room sporting Knicks jerseys.
12:09 p.m.
The Horseracing Kings — in matching pink suits — are cheered as they arrive to the Clubhouse and bound up the stairs with the agility of, well, the seventh graders that they are.
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1:34 p.m.
Ways and Means defends her 2025 win in the Bed O’ Roses by a nose after a thrilling come-from-behind rally with Flavien Prat aboard. But Junior Alvarado, who placed on Grand Job, isn’t done…
2:05 p.m.
After missing the Bed O’ Roses win by a nose, Alvarado pilots Pillar of Beauty to an impressive win at 27 to 1 odds. “Payback for him and Bill Mott,” says one excited fan. “Boom.”
2:23 p.m.
The crowd in the stands claps as Maya McGuire, accompanied by Adam Nielson, finishes “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady. “People were waving at me so I waved back so they could see it on TV,” says McGuire. “That was such a thrill,” Nielson says, grinning.
2:39 p.m.
The bartender at the Fourstardave was too busy to look up but says she listened to the singing. “Her voice,” she says, “was perfect.”
3:07 p.m.
Saratoga pride: A fan from South Carolina says she had to come to the Belmont because the Spa is her horse owner dad’s favorite track. (Swoon.)
3:46 p.m.
In the paddock, Mike Repole works the crowd. “Got a Powerade?” screams one fan. “I sold that company a long time ago,” he laughs. “So I don’t give a shit.”
4:47 p.m.
The crowd is rowdier for Opera Saratoga’s second performance, by Adam Hirama Wells. “I want a selfie!” says one guy who jumps in right before the camera starts rolling.
5:03 p.m.
The Knicks repost a video of the jockeys in their Knicks jerseys. “What a great addition to those silks,” they write on X (formerly Twitter).
6:50 p.m.
Bugler Carson Gambaro plays “Fly Me to the Moon” for a huge group of excited fans at the Post Bar, before requests turn to sports songs.
7:32 p.m.
The bartender at the Wild Horse sings “iSpy” after being told that Lil Yachty has a horse in the Belmont.
And now we do it all again…
See you out there today!
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