Saratoga Casino Hotel will hold a public memorial on Sunday, June 28 for the 17 horses killed in the barn fire at its harness track.
The service has been arranged by Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association following the June 16 blaze, one of the bleakest nights the local standardbred community has endured in recent memory.
It comes after NYRA launched a Saratoga fire-relief campaign to support the affected horsemen, with the tragedy cutting through the usual divide between the thoroughbred and harness sides of New York racing.
Winner’s Circle Service To Honour Lost Horses
According to the announcement carried by U.S. Trotting News, the memorial will take place at 10.45am in the harness track winner’s circle. The ceremony is open to the public, with live harness racing due to follow at noon.
The 17 horses were buried privately on the grounds of Saratoga Casino Hotel on June 17, and a permanent monument bearing their names is set to be installed at the burial site. The horses named for remembrance are Arlanda, Conquest As, Crazy Jet, Five Star Lou, Free Willy Hanover, Gimlet Hanover, Influencer, Lyons Dukey, Muscle Dynasty, Our Father Lindy, Perfect Bang, Quite Like Me, Race Me Bombshell, Shalamar Hanover, Trackstar, Tropical Cyclone and Red.
Speakers are expected to include Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford, Saratoga County Supervisor Sarah Burger and representatives of the casino and horsepersons’ association.
The wider response is also continuing. The New York State Gaming Commission has said a panel is reviewing fire prevention and suppression infrastructure at racetrack horse barns across the state.
For a Saratoga season already carrying extra racing attention while Belmont Park works towards its racing return, this is a very different kind of gathering. The winner’s circle will be used not for celebration, but for the racing community to stand still and remember the horses lost.
