This Could Be Para-Para Paradise - Images from Saratoga | Getting Out Of The Gate Official Site

Aug 9 2014

This Could Be Para-Para Paradise – Images from Saratoga

Jose Lezcano Styling

I say to people all of the time, even if you’re not a horse racing fan, if you have the opportunity, at least visit Saratoga for a day. The atmosphere is like no other race track … period.

Today I was sitting atop a picnic table, sipping a cold drink, watching the trainers, owners, jockeys, and horses entering the paddock … when Coldplay’s song Paradise starting reverberating in my brain. And I thought … this truly is a paradise.

Here are a few of the images from historic Saratoga Race Course.

John Velasquez and Irad Ortiz, Jr. sharing a light moment.

Rosie Napravnik

Horse in Paddock

Musicians Playing In The Backyard

Craft Beer Garden (One of my favorite places)

Getting Out Of The Gate – Hall of Fame Stakes

The Big Red Spring

YES – You Can Drink The Water Inside The Big Red Spring

Plenty of Food Options

Bobby’s Kitten Vying For The Lead

The Sign Says It All

This could be para- para- paradise.
Para- para- paradise.
Could be para- para- paradise.

The Article Sponsored By ADIRONDACK BEVERAGES (A Favorite Cooler Drink Of Racing Fans at Saratoga)

By Neal Benoit

Categories Travels on August 9, 2014 by Neal Benoit | 5 Comments

5 comments on “This Could Be Para-Para Paradise – Images from Saratoga”

Neil, Thank you for the colorful images of Saratoga. Seeing them makes me more eager to return for another year. I can feel the electricity and anticipation of the backyard crowd as horses make their way to the paddock. I can hear the strains of Dixieland Swing or classic rock from a band in the distance and the classy sense of history when taking a seat on the folding wooden chairs beneath the iconic slate roof. I can also feel the cool morning air on my face as I rest an arm of the fence at Oklahoma or the main track, a cup of coffee in my hand, as sets of riders on gleaming Thoroughbreds jog through early morning mist. As night falls, I walk past large Victorian houses. I can see families lounging on blankets in Congress Park, smell the aroma of another batch of Hattie’s fried chicken and listen to restaurant patrons dining al fresco on Broadway recounting wins and losses at the track. Saratoga an equine Brigadoon is a magical place everyone should experience if as you say, just for a day.

Brigadoon on August 9, 2014 at 10:28 am

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Have been to Saratoga for over 50 years and it truly is Paradise. Now retired it calls me back atleast 3 times a summer for long weekends. Great pictures and beautiful article. Will be there for the Sword Dancer.

Merrill on August 10, 2014 at 9:16 am

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I’ve been going to Saratoga for my vacation since 1981, and it’s truly all you say. A good friend once related a story about a horse player who upon dying, happened to make it to heaven. He entered the Pearly Gates, and was met by St. Peter, who showed him around. “How do you like it?”, St. Peter asked, The fellow replied, “It’s nice, but it ain’t Saratoga!”

Jim Purgerson on August 10, 2014 at 1:54 pm

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- A horseplayer that actually made it to heaven. I guess there’s still hope for me yet!
  
  Neal Benoit on August 10, 2014 at 9:02 pm
  
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Neal, the photos really captured Saratoga, bravo!

Frankie Lovato on August 14, 2014 at 9:39 am

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