MLB great Jayson Werth back in the Saratoga winner’s circle
And more exciting moments from an unusually wild mid-week day at the track.
This is a free story on the Dispatch. Our content will begin to go behind the paywall July 21, but we are offering a FREE month to anyone who takes a paid annual subscription by Sunday July 20. That is 13 months for the price of 12!
Thursday, July 17 was a wild, exciting day at the track, led by MLB All-Star Jayson Werth. First, there was quite a commotion in the clubhouse, with cheers erupting in a wave of excitement. As fans made their way to the rail to watch Race 6 — Werth’s horse Sacred Goddess was the favorite to win — they were still blushing and chattering about seeing the retired baseball superstar-turned-horse racing superfan. As it turned out, he was also being out-shone by a huge record being made.
The gracious Werth stopped to say hello to Garry and Joyce White, who had had the stroke of luck of being in the box next to Werth’s at last year’s Belmont (which he won with Dornoch). After Joyce traded in her enormous “Pretty Woman” hat for a Dornoch ball cap “for good luck” — wearing it, she made it to the winner’s circle and on national TV. “Jayson loves Garry,” she told me. The generous couple were sitting in a box they bid on during Opera Saratoga’s annual fundraising gala.
Sacred Goddess was the first go for Werth’s new Icon Racing ownership venture. With Irad Ortiz aboard, she struggled on the turns but then broke free to take the lead and take home the win. The excitement of having a bona fide celeb in the winner’s circle was overshadowed by another story, however.
As the horses were getting into the gate, announcer great Frank Mirahmadi was talking about trainer Mark Casse reaching his 4,000-win milestone (only the 17th ever to do so) with a triumph at Colonial Downs — and was a second late as Race 6 took off.
Even though Casse failed to make it 4,001 due to Sacred Goddess’ win, he was all smiles in the winner’s circle, and ended up taking the spotlight completely away from Werth.
The FOX announcers on Saratoga Live did have some fun with Werth, however. “You’ve got [trainer] Jeremiah Englehart hugging Jayson Werth,” said Paul Lo Duca. “If you literally thought about this, I don't know if Jayson knows, but Jeremiah’s one of the biggest Mets fans in the world…So Mr. Werth, stop badmouthing the Mets if you're going to hug one.”
Lo Duca was then asked about Werth’s actual involvement in horse racing, if it had longevity. “[He] and [friend] Alex Bregman have just gone berserk,” he answered. “I mean, they've texted me every other day, they got horses here, horses, horses there, and they're loving every minute of it…it’s great for the game, it really is…Jayson just seems like he's just buying a little bit here and a little bit there and just shows up…congratulations, you got a nice horse right there.”
Other notable moments on Thursday: A splash of rain before Race 8 hurried the horses into the gate. Rocketeer reared up on the first turn, expertly preventing a potential fall. He then shot off and was ahead until the end, when Stars and Stripes scooped up the win.
The day also marked Thoroughbred Aftercare Day, which included a polo match with the Saratoga Polo School and an important drive for donations for 10 organizations including Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Take the Lead and Old Friends at Cabin Creek. It’s not too late to make a difference!
Related Links!
This moving Opening Weekend race brought tears to a stunned crowd