by Phil Janack
Kiaran McLaughlin and Alan Garcia have become a formidable force together on the New York circuit, and nowhere more than at Saratoga Race Course.
The trainer and jockey tandem combined to capture their first meet titles anywhere in North America during the 36-day meeting, which concluded on Monday.
McLaughlin finished with 17 wins, two more than six-time champion, former co-worker, and best friend Todd Pletcher. Garcia edged Pletcher's go-to rider, John Velazquez, 39-36, for top honors.
“It’s good for my career right now," said Garcia, 22, riding his second full year in New York. "There are a lot of good young riders here. I am so proud of being leading jockey at Saratoga, and I am thankful for everyone that gave me the opportunity.”
Garcia clinched the title with his second victory on Monday aboard Vineyard Haven in the $250,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (G1). It was the fourth Grade 1 victory of the meet for Garcia, who gave up the mount on Alaazo in Monday's $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (G2) to ride at Saratoga.
McLaughlin saddled one winner on Monday, Cobblestone Way, in the sixth race. He sewed up the meet title when Munnings, the Pletcher-trained favorite, ran third in the Hopeful. McLaughlin was a three-time leading trainer in Dubai.
“In American racing, it’s just fabulous to win at Saratoga where everybody is watching and everybody wants to win," he said. "We’ve had a great meet. Alan has had a great meet. Todd had a great meet. I did expect to do well. We have a lot of nice horses up here and a lot of great owners, and it worked out well."
Ken and Sarah Ramsey finished as the leading owners at Saratoga with 12 wins, five more than owner-trainer Wesley Ward.
“Saratoga is competitive. It’s like dreaming,” Ramsey said. "My dream was to win the owner’s title at Saratoga because I have never won it before. I had a great meet. My hat is off to all of my trainers and the jockeys who rode for us. My wife and I are thankful."
Final numbers for the Saratoga meeting will not be released until later this week. Projections showed both on-track attendance and handle improved notably in the second half of the meet following a first half that was dominated by inclement weather.
“Our business improved when the weather improved, and the 140th Spa meeting once again combined the highest quality thoroughbred racing and the strongest wagering opportunities in North America,” New York Racing Association President Charles Hayward said. "Many thanks to our fans, owners, trainers, jockeys, and employees for another great 36 days of racing.”
Phil Janack is a New York-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent