I have visited Saratoga Race Course as a reporter or fan every summer since the mid-1970s. Every meet produces its share of special moments, ones I keep close to me when bone-chilling temperatures arrive. Here are some takeaways from the latest fun-filled meet:

WHAT A FILLY!: Thorpedo Anna narrowly missed becoming the first filly to win the DraftKings Travers Stakes since Lady Rotha in 1915. It was hard for anyone to view her as a loser, however, after her dramatic rally fell short of overtaking determined Fierceness by a head. The top two finishers were awarded 111 Beyer Speed Figures. “She sniffed at greatness and I still think she’s great,” said trainer Kenny McPeek, adding, “Fierceness had to run the race of his life to beat her.” If anything, Thorpedo Anna’s valiant effort most likely boosted her Horse of the Year candidacy.

Arthur’s Ride winning Whitney Stakes. (Eclipse Sportswire)

WHAT A RIDE: Front-running Arthur’s Ride stepped up from allowance company to provide Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott with his first Whitney Stakes victory. Karl Glassman of Glassman Racing could not help but be emotional as he explained that Arthur’s Ride was named after his father, who died a year and a half ago at age 91. When Karl told Arthur of the tribute, his father said, “You didn’t have to do that.” The son responded, “Dad, I really did. You had a great ride.” The father looked his son in the eye and said, “I have.”

PROMISING SOPHOMORES: One of the intriguing elements of each meet is the unveiling of many well-bred 2-year-olds. Chancer McPatrick and Ferocious were two who made winning debuts at the Spa and especially caught the eye. Chancer McPatrick, owned by Sean Flanagan’s Flanagan Racing, edged Ferocious by a half-length in a memorable Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes on Labor Day to stamp himself as an early Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve contender. “He’s a remarkable talent,” winning trainer Chad Brown said. “I told Sean a couple of weeks ago that I think we’ve got something special here.”

ULTIMATE HONOR: Joel Rosario headed the list of inductees into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame as the first jockey from the Dominican Republic to receive that accolade. He recalled that his great ambition as a child was to become a top baseball player. “I never thought growing up in the Dominican Republic playing baseball and riding my horse really quickly to the grocery store that I would be a Hall of Fame jockey,” he said during induction ceremonies. Other contemporary inductees were 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify and 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner. Abe Hawkins, a jockey who rose to prominence in the 19th Century despite being born into slavery, was honored by the Historic Review Committee. Harry F. Guggenheim, Clement L. Hirsch, and the great turf writer Joe Hirsch were saluted as Pillars of the Turf.

Hendrickson in 2018. (Eclipse Sportswire)

MOURNING HENDRICKSON: Racing suffered a tremendous loss when John Hendrickson, chairman of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, died suddenly at age 59. Cate Masterson, the museum’s director, described Hendrickson as “a visionary leader who had a tremendous passion for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the Saratoga Springs community, and racing in general.” Hendrickson continued to be a great benefactor to the backstretch community after his wife, Marylou Whitney, died in 2019. Among other endeavors, he honored her by funding the construction of a backstretch clinic that opened last year and provides on-site medical care for backstretch workers.

BIG-MONEY MAN: While Irad Ortiz Jr. successfully defended his riding title, Flavien Prat distinguished himself in one major race after another. Prat set records for stakes wins (18) and graded stakes wins (14). Seven of those graded-stakes triumphs occurred in Grade 1 contests. He won the first Grade 1 of the meet, prevailing with Whitebeam in the Diana Stakes, and the last with Chancer McPatrick in the Hopeful. Prat was cool and confident with everything he rode. He finished second with 45 wins overall, seven behind Ortiz. Fans can look forward to seeing those two duel again next summer.

CELEBRATING HERNANDEZ JR.: Brian Hernandez Jr., who became the eighth rider to sweep the Longines Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in the same year, was presented with the Mike Venezia Memorial Award for displaying extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship. “From the outset of his career, Brian has been a true representative of horse racing and a professional in every way,” said Terry Meyocks, president of The Jockeys’ Guild. “As the winner of the Venezia Award, he joins a group of elite riders who have distinguished themselves as role models and pillars of the racing community.”

Thrilling finish in Alabama. (Eclipse Sportswire)

DING-DONG DUEL: Lea Farms’ Power Squeeze bested favored Candied in their torrid stretch duel to win the 144th renewal of the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes Presented by Keeneland Sales by a head. The Alabama, at a mile and a quarter, provides one of the stiffest tests on the calendar for sophomore fillies. Power Squeeze presented trainer Jorge Delgado with his first Grade 1 triumph. “On the head bob, she knows how to win,” Delgado said. “She wanted to win. She has so much determination to win.”

BREAKING THROUGH: Trainer Rodolphe Brisset registered his first Grade 1 victory when Mullikin, confidently handled by Prat, ruled the seven-furlong Forego Stakes by 5 ¾ lengths on behalf of owners WinStar Farm and Siena Farm. “Everything went smooth. He was good in the gate, he broke like a rocket, everything went our way. He was pretty impressive,” Brisset said. “Obviously, if I let go, I am going to cry.” The 4-year-old Violence colt has been unbeatable through four starts this season.

EMOTIONAL VICTORY: When Surveillance won the Troy Stakes for Wayne Potts, the trainer could not help but to think back to the victory American Sailor gave him in the Troy four years before. Sadly, Potts recalled that American Sailor died in a barn fire at Belmont Park in 2021. Good fortune went Potts’ way, however, when he won a three-way shake for Surveillance, allowing him to claim the 7-year-old son of Constitution for $62,500 only 15 days before the Troy. Another stroke of luck involved the rescheduled stakes race coming off the turf. Surveillance had been entered for the main track only.