Samuel D. Riddle purchased the yearling Man o’ War for $5,000 in a sale of August Belmont II’s bloodstock at Saratoga. ~1918
Jockey Steve Cauthen rode Affirmed for the first time, winning the Sanford Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse by 2 3/4 lengths. ~1977
A new record for single-day attendance was set when 71,337 fans poured through the turnstiles on August 17, Saratoga wall clock day, besting the mark of 69,523 set on August 4, 2002. ~2003
Zippy Chippy, loser of all 86 of his lifetime races, was defeated again--this
time by minor-league baseball player Jose Herrera in a 40-yard dash. The race,
called the "2000 Red Wings Derby," was held prior to a home game of the
International League's Rochester Red Wings. ~2000