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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