Saratoga race course: the august place to be - kimberly gatto

In the early 1800s, Saratoga Springs was a destination for its natural mineral waters and their healing powers.

But that changed in 1863 with the opening of the Saratoga Race Course.

From then on, summers in the Spa City came alive with the excitement of the sport of kings.

Since the victory of the great horse Kentucky in the introductory Travers Stakes, the racecourse has showcased the sports greatest champions.

Otherwise seemingly uncatchable thoroughbreds--including Man o War and Secretariat--faced unexpected defeat on its turf, earning Saratoga the nickname the Graveyard of Champions.

Author Kimberly Gatto chronicles the story of the oldest thoroughbred racetrack in the country, with tales of the famous people and horses that contributed to its illustrious history.