Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem July 10, 2025

A good Thursday morning to you all. Opening day is in the books at Colonial and by opening day standards, I think it went alright. I don’t know if I’ve ever been a part of an opening day anywhere that went perfectly smoothly, there’s just too many kinks to try and iron out I suppose. But overall, it felt good to be back. 

I was shocked how rusty I felt calling races. The dirt races at Colonial are much trickier than turf just because of the angle and the way my booth and window are. But the first race had a field of 10 runners on dirt and I felt like I was behind the race the whole time. I didn’t mess anything up really, but it was a very good reminder of how out of place you can feel with this job after a couple months off. 

So Saratoga finally kicks off its summer season even though it ran just last weekend. It’s been kind of interesting to see the reaction to this unusual schedule, people debating whether or not this will become the new norm. But either way, it's great to have the track back as I know it’s so special for so many people. 

Saratoga is kind of funny for me because I grew up watching horse racing and it was no part of my fandom. I honestly didn’t even know what it was until I was probably 21 or 22. Being from the West Coast, Santa Anita was always the mecca for my dad and me. I finally got to go when I was 17 and still remember walking into the track with him and seeing those mountains for the first time. He paused and just said “now this is a racetrack” as we looked at the majesty of the course. 

Because of those early influences, Saratoga and my appreciation of it has been more of an adult education and eventually exposure to the place. It’s magnificent and one of the more fun day of races that one can have. The town is cute as can be and I love the fact that the whole town gets into the racing scene and is excited about it. Plus, of course, the races are world class. I remember visiting for the first time in 2019 and thinking “I get why it’s special to so many people.” 

Watch social media today and I’m sure there will be a ton of pictures and stories from people attending opening day. There will be pictures of that bridge that’s on the way. People will wish one another a great meet and good luck. It’s a truly awesome thing. 

My question about Saratoga today is how much a part of people’s love affair with it is because of nostalgia and growing up. I think about nostalgia a lot and what a powerful force it is over us. We think of growing up as simpler times or just great memories, possibly with loved ones who aren’t here anymore. For me, Longacres is the ultimate childhood nostalgia. It’s horse racing, it’s my dad, it’s childhood, it’s memories. I would give anything to get to visit there again. I would want to go to Longacres again more than any track in the world and it’s not particularly close for second. I think for so many New York and Northeast racing fans, Saratoga is that way for them. The good news for them though is that they still get to go. 

Sure it’s changed and even modernized in some ways. But I’d guess the feelings and excitement are still there for so many of you who will venture upstate this summer. And that’s a wonderful thing. It’s a great thing that Saratoga is still there and still thrives and is such a part of that area’s racing and people’s lives.  For a lot of us, our ‘Saratogas’ are no longer here. Just distant memories, a few pictures, and an empty spot in our hearts. 

Enjoy your Saratoga summer my friends.