Anna's Awesome Adventures!!!: Day #4 -- Saratoga Springs

Today I woke up at 7:30, went for a 4.5-mile run (so cool and pretty), swam in the lake for a little bit (cold at first...then pleasant), had breakfast (toast, peaches, milk), and headed to Saratoga Springs (about an hour south of Silver Bay). Val, two of her cousins, her mom, and I made up the party. First, we went to the New York Racing Hall of Fame. This is an excellent museum filled with artifacts, paintings, displays, statues, movies, and the Hall of Fame -- which included jockeys, trainers, and horses. I knew a lot of the names and enjoyed reading about their achievements. The Triple Crown Hall of Fame is great, too -- it lists all 11 horses who have won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. The plaques included their history, story, earnings, and photos. This was a wonderful place to check out.

Then it was off to the races at Saratoga Springs Racetrack!! With $3 per person, you've entered the area and you can browse the many booths selling horse-related items, check out the saddling paddock, enjoy live music, relax, and watch the races (either on a TV or live). We did the $11-per-person clubhouse seats, which allowed us shaded, cool, comfortable seats overlooking the entire track. We were able to walk right down to the rail to get some good pictures, too. And of course, with horse-racing comes betting. I'm not really into it and I didn't really know that much, but what I did know I was able to share with Val, her cousins, and her mom. They made their picks and, unfortunately, did not make a profit. I, on the other hand, made a bet in the fifth race (through Val...I'm too young) on a 19-1 long shot...and she came in second!! So I got $9.40; I used $4 to bet on two in the next race and neither did well; therefore, I made a profit of $5.40. Quit when you're ahead, don't be afraid to pick long shots, and have fun...my advice! What was really special was that there were some really famous jockeys there (in my mind) -- Rosie Napravnik (she came in third in the Belmont...she rode my "winning" horse in the fifth race), John Velazquez, Joel Rosario (he rode this year's Kentucky Derby winner, Orb), Edgar Prado (he rode Barbaro), and many more. I was in heaven. It was an awesome day!

We headed out after the sixth race (there were still four more), grabbed a few groceries, came back, had supper (beef brisket, corn, salad, beans, strawberry or vanilla ice cream, blueberries, juice, and water), and enjoyed the cool air and lovely sunset. Today was wonderful -- I experienced a lot of memorable events that I will never forget. Enjoy the pictures!!