Shanno:

Let me explain. For every year since about 1980, NYRA has had a calendar
"giveaway" on New Years Day. In olden times, you were entitled to one free
calendar for each paid general admission ($2). (This is the only giveaway I
used to "spin" for. Since it is now an outright purchase, no spinning is
required) (My least favorite giveaway was the "free" Belmont beer mug which
cost me $300, know what I'm sayin?) In recent years, no general
admission is charged, so you can now buy unlimited calendars for $5 a pop. Such
a deal!?

On said calendar, stakes races are listed by date. This years calendar has this
listing, but the purse of the race and the grade of the race are not given. I
would attribute this to the fact that the calendar is produced before NYRA has
determined the purse money for all major stakes and the fact that certain
stakes may be upgraded or (more likely in recent years) downgraded.

So I would be inclined to trust Fairmount's tabular listing of the dates of
Saratoga stakes races as accurate, especially regarding the traditional weekend
stakes. On the final page of the calendar is the disclaimer that "The New York
Racing Association Inc is not responsible for errors or changes in this
calendar", but again with regards to the [b][i]dates[/i][/b] of Spa stakes, I
think you will find Fairmount's info to be accurate.

I know that is not as much fun as a drug fueled members only conspiracy, but
there you have it