OTTB: Saratoga Boy

During his two years in the Woodbine Racetrack barn of trainer Ross Armata, Saratoga Boy became one of the favourite horses of anyone who had contact with the cheery chestnut. The Ontario-bred 7-year-old was the epitome of the blue-collar runner at Woodbine; for the last three years of his career he ran hard at low claiming levels.

“He gave it all he had,” said Jennifer Armata-Barrett, the assistant to her father’s stable. “He has a big, big heart for racing and for people.”

Originally a yearling purchase from Dr. John Brown’s Spring Farm for just over $2,000, Saratoga Boy raced just once as a 2-year-old for his owner, Herb Chambers. The following year, off a 10-month layoff, he raced for Mark Fournier twice. The delicate gelding got back to the races in the spring of 2013 where he won for the first time in a maiden allowance race.

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The gelding won four more times through the fall of 2014 while racing sporadically before he was claimed for $8,000 by Armata-Barrett.

“He was so funny,” said Armata-Barrett. “He loved his treats and always knew where they were.”

The gelding quickly became more of a pet in the barn, especially to Armata-Barrett’s nine-year-old son Andrew.

“Saratoga, he loves kids and loves to get all the attention,” said Armata Barrett, who has worked at the track for 25 years.

The gelding raced nine times for the Armatas, winning once and placing in six others before the family decided the gelding should be retired. At that time, Saratoga Boy had raced 24 times, won seven races and earned over $138,000.

“My dad and I thought, he’s had a good career, he’s made his money,” said Armata-Barrett, “So we contacted LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society (the racehorse adoption placement program based at Woodbine) and donated him.”

The Armatas have retired several racehorses in the last two decades through friends or through LongRun. They include stakes winner Barbeau Ruckus.

Saratoga Boy was one of the first horses to arrive at LongRun’s recently-purchased farm, the 100-acre former Woodlands Training Centre in Hillsburgh, ON. The farm, which was bought with the help of a generous donation by the late Lana Hershelle Sniderman, is home to 40 horses that are available for adoption or are permanently retired.

Armata-Barrett believes Saratoga Boy will be a great addition to a horse-loving family.

“Our barn just isn’t the same without him. I had to tell my son he is not at the track anymore, but in a very good place. It was time for him to retire and we hope that he finds a good home.”