All week long, NYRA officials and Saratoga fans looked forward to seeing Curlin race in the Woodward. In one sense, at least, the Horse of the Year got the job done.

Saratoga had its second Sunset Racing card of the meet, featuring a winner's circle wedding, a key to the city presentation, and two stakes races.

Guys make a living at the racetrack from redeeming empty cans for a nickel apiece. The guys picking winners for the newspapers aren't as assured of the same success, as the "First Lady of the Steeplechase" and D. Wayne Lukas score with hunch bets.

"Proud to be an American" day featured a red, white and blue-clad musical group and the 9-year-old Belmont Stakes singer of "New York, New York," as Saratoga unveiled another promising Darley Stable juvenile.

Big plans are being made to end the Saratoga meet, as Curlin's anticipated appearance in Saturday's Woodward spurs on a wide-reaching marketing push that includes commemorative posters and banners on Broadway.

Tipping is a way of life in all corners of the racetrack. Some people are better at it than others, not including the professionals that fans depend on.

Favorites fell with alarming persistence, as Colonel John shows that he, too, is persistent in a memorable Travers. Gov. Paterson of New York takes credit for his State when little is due while presenting the trophy to WinStar Farm.

Saratoga's lawn jockeys are becoming an endangered species, soon to pass the way of the Cottage List. The leader of the secret Mohican Society maintains his blue and green shamrock silks for the sake of the Curragh.

Colonel John, an interesting contender for the Travers, jogged on the track, as his Winstar connections awaited another Colonel John. A superfecta pays a number so big it won't print out on the tote board.

Tin Cup Chalice remains unbeaten and pockets a $250,000 bonus for winning the Big Apple Triple. Away from the track, A-list guests dig deep to raise money for charity.

Once-in-a-lifetime feats happen twice in the same day, as trainer Linda Rice saddles the first four finishers in a stakes race and the jockeys finish strong and beat the state troopers in softball.

Sunday's attendance numbers swelled past 65,000 as the sun shone, NYRA rewarded its paying patrons with a long-sleeved tee-shirt, and Summer Patriot won the John's Call Stakes...

The day began with a race -- more specifically, a 5K through the streets of Saratoga Springs. It ended with two graded stakes at the racecourse, including the meet's best to date.

Everyone has a way of picking winners, and watching the odds-board is one of them. Some horses figured, and others didn't.

With the scent of barbecue and fried dough surrounding him, a sartorial broadcaster hosts a radio show. Four turf races are switched to the dirt, creating opportunity for also-eligibles.