Saratoga Race Course ready for its 150th meet

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Triple Crown winner Justify won’t be running during the 150th meet at Saratoga Race Course, but many of the brightest stars in thoroughbred racing will grace the historic track over the next six-plus weeks.

The 40-day meet opens Friday, offering 69 stakes races worth $18.8 million in purses, with the likes of Good Magic, Hofburg, Gronkowski, Vino Rosso, and Bravazo competing for a share of the prize money.

Todd Pletcher will be seeking his 13th training title in 16 years. He won it last year with 40 winners, one more than Chad Brown.

As for Justify, trainer Bob Baffert has sent him back to Del Mar and will keep his prized colt under observation after swelling in his left front ankle emerged two weeks ago.

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Baffert says Justify will probably just walk around the stable area for the next two weeks at the track north of San Diego. The probable scenario for the colt is a return to racing sometime in the fall, with the ultimate goal being the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November.