Saratoga Diaries: Fabulous Frosted

August 7th, 2016 by Penelope Miller

(Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Whitney Stakes day at Saratoga Race Course is always a thrill of an afternoon – after all, the race affords its winner the lion’s share of a $1.25 million purse plus an all-expense paid trip to Nov. 5’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park – and yesterday’s edition was a truly outstanding affair.

The day dawned in perfect, pristine Saratoga style with dew and fog burning off into a warm and wonderful day that drew nearly 40,000 fans to the Spa (Saratoga’s historic nickname for its famed mineral springs thought to have healing properties) for an afternoon of fun and racing. What made the day even more special was that Marylou Whitney, Saratoga’s celebrated philanthropist and Thoroughbred owner who is celebrating her 90^th birthday this year, would be on-hand to present the Whitney Stakes trophy to the winner of the historic event.

You can experience Whitney day with me in the slideshow below as I share my images and thoughts from the afternoon’s events.

When I arrived at the track, fans were already pouring in, circling the iconic fountain near the Clubhouse entrance and making their way into the facility. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Fans were in for a treat, too: the blue skies, puffy cotton candy clouds, and warm temperatures promised a spectacular day at the Spa. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

There was some serious style on display, too: I love these ladies’ bright fascinators, which are a perfect summertime topper for the races. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

This hat was one of my favorites of the afternoon. It was a total showstopper and a statement piece, but it also blended beautifully with both the rest of her look and the venue of Saratoga. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

But who could resist this trio? These three definitely brought their A-game to the track; but I bet you can guess which one I was completely obsessed with ... (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Bingo. Hat, sunglasses, attitude: this pup is our new fashion overlord. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

The crowd continued to grow as the Whitney Stakes drew nearer, and by mid-afternoon the track was packed with revelers out to enjoy a picture-perfect day at America’s oldest sporting venue. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

With a crowd that big, I was so happy that the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance was on-hand as the Charity of the Day, raising money for retired racehorses. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Even Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte, who rode the mighty Secretariat to his Triple Crown victory, was out signing autographs in support of off-the-track Thoroughbreds. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Around the track, people were connecting to the horses present in so many different ways. Some fans were celebrating winning tickets on longshot horses. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

While the younger members of the Saratoga crowd were making friend with the pony horses, those steeds charged with escorting the racehorses from the saddling paddock to the starting gate. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

And everyone was at the track to watch the outstanding racing that’s expected on a Saturday at Saratoga. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Under a deep blue late-afternoon sky, the time for the biggest race of the day, the Whitney Stakes, was finally at hand, so I made my way to the saddling paddock to catch the all of the action. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

I wasn’t the only one with that plan, either: inside and out of the paddock, it seemed like most people at the Spa on Saturday wanted to catch a glimpse of the Whitney contenders preparing for the race. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Finally, the Whitney runners began to arrive, marching down the shaded path that meanders through the Saratoga crowds from the barn area to the saddling paddock. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

All eyes were on Frosted, that great gray horse who ran second to American Pharoah in the 2015 Belmont Stakes and who absolutely dominated in this year’s Metropolitan Mile. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Frosted had his challengers in this race, though: Noble Bird won the Pimlico Special this year on Preakness Stakes Day, and he looked focused and alert as he made his way to the paddock. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Effinex is a New York powerhouse, and I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for this horse (if only because I love how thick his forelock – that tuft of hair between horses’ ears – is.) (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

But in my heart, I knew that the stunning Frosted was the horse to beat in this race. While he was a talented 3-year-old, he’s really coming into his own this year and looks to be the strongest Thoroughbred on the East Coast. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

As the horses warmed up on the track before the race, the Whitney blanket of flowers came out. It’s made of Marylou Whitney roses, the buds named for the aforementioned birthday girl. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Finally, it was time for the Whitney Stakes to begin. With a clamor of bells and the screaming of fans, the contenders leapt from their starting gate stalls all in a line to begin their quest for the Whitney. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Steps out of the gate, Frosted took to the front of the pack and led the Whitney Stakes contenders into the first turn of the race. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

And he never looked back; Frosted completely romped, giving fans a complete thrill as he won the Whitney by an easy two lengths and secured his spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic this November. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Frosted’s team was completely thrilled by the victory, hugging on the track as they waited for Frosted to return to the winner’s circle. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

When Frosted did get back to the winner’s circle, he had his ears pricked forward in happiness as jockey Joel Rosario strained to watch the replay of their victory on the jumbotron in the infield. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Moments later, Frosted donned the signature pink blanket of Marylou Whitney roses and headed into the winner’s circle. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)