Saved the 🏇 best for last
Lil Yachty's diamonds, lobstah for the win, and 15 more reasons Saratoga stole my heart at the Belmont.
The Spa saved the best for last
From the Golden winner at the end of the rainbow to the emotional little moments, how the third and final Belatoga soared.
In the paddock just before the Belmont, two young women in pastel dresses excitedly fan-girled over Cherie DeVaux — oohing and aahing over Golden Tempo with the rest of the adoring crowd.
One said that she won $300 on GT (can I call him that?) at the Derby, and an older gentleman sternly scolded, “I would not try that today.”
She looked like she was going to cry, the joy completely knocked out of her.
But they got the last laugh:
Golden Tempo at the end of the final Belatoga’s actual post-storm rainbow, trained by someone who was born here — the first woman trainer ever to win multiple Triple Crown races.
Mind: blown.
And I was nervous that the third Belmont in Saratoga would limp to the finish line. Instead, it was electric.
Walking home afterwards, downtown was on fire — there were happy people spilling out of every hotspot in town.
The way it should be. I love it here.
— Abby
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17 reasons I love Saratoga, Belmont edition
1. People dress up: The outfits yesterday were incredible, from the fascinator feathers that bounced so much in the wind one owner thought they were motorized, to the many couples who coordinated their matching fits
3. Fans are chill. “I thought we had good seats, but they were for July 4th,” said one, smiling ear to ear. (He eventually left to a house party.)
4. Family first. The Ortiz brothers of it all, Repole with his 70-strong crew. And then there was Eddie F’s, where the workers ignored the long lobster roll line to watch Race 6 — erupting into wild cheers when Buttah won. “I get so emotional,” said one, dabbing tears from her eyes. “That’s my little brother, Eddie. I’m so proud.
“Buttah — come on! Like with your lobstah!!”
4. Eddie F’s lobster rolls.
6. After singing “God Bless America,” Sergeant First Class Emily McAleesejergins was inundated with people wanting to buy her coffee as she waited in the Dunkin’ line.
7. The Horse Racing Kings were out there hustling in the name of journalism. “If you win can I interview you?” one asked owner Mike Repole before the Belmont. “If I win you can ride out on the horse if you want,” he answered the Maple Ave middle-schooler.
9. There were so many young people in the crowds yesterday. “How do you get the next generation? We give them an experience,” says Run Fast Racing CEO Adam Kluger, who aims to make horse racing “cool with the younger audience” with his 5-week-old fractional ownership app that boasts Lil Wayne as an owner.
13. Inclusivity. “Everybody here is so welcoming,” Kluger says. “I’ve never tried to be a ‘disruptor’ in a business and been met with less resistance. Everybody’s been so kind.”
“We’re changing the game,” adds Lil Yachty, “giving everyday people a chance to own a racehorse and be a part of these huge upscale events.”
15. The Spa Infield Goose’s Twitter/X account.
Cherie DeVaux was born here.
Golden Tempo was our pot of gold at the end of an actual rainbow
“[Cherie DeVaux] opens the door … I really think the training ranks are gonna see a big shift and give more women the opportunity. She showed it can be done.”
— Fox Sports
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