Ralph Siraco’s notes

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999 | 9:31 a.m.

The summer will be officially over for race fans just about the time the sun sets in the west today. The last summer spa racing season ends at the sands of the Pacific with the closing-day card at good 'ol Del Mar. Sunday, at the Eastern seaboard, Monmouth Park closed its summer session and on Monday, Saratoga, in upstate New York, said so-long to summer when its successful meeting came to a close.

For jockey Joe Bravo it was a summer homecoming when he captured his seventh Jersey shore riding championship after a two-year absence at Monmouth Park as he booted home 67 wins. Trainer Juan Serey took down his fifth straight title with 29 winners as the popular seaside track produced a 5 percent increase in handle (monies bet) over the 72-day meeting.

Likewise, Saratoga posted increased business during its upstate run. But the most popular track on the NYRA racing circuit produced staggering gains from the previous seasons. Total daily average commingled handle was $14,765,523, a 17 percent increase over the previous North American record of $12,614,955. On-track handle rose 5 percent and on-track attendance was up 4 percent.

"The meet exceeded all of our expectations and hopes," said NYRA president and COO Terry Meycocks. "Being up that high a percentage is great for anybody, but to do it off of such a high base (from last year) is impressive."

Trainer Bill Mott needed two winners on closing day to capture the Spa title over D. Wayne Lukas 16-14. Mott has won or shared the title at Saratoga in 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1997 before finishing second last year.

Jockey Jerry Bailey wrapped up his third Saratoga championship easily with 47 victories but couldn't add just one more winners circle picture to tie his Spa record established in 1997 when he won his second title. He captured his first trophy in 1996 with 45 wins. This year Bailey rode at a 28 percent win clip that included seven stakes victories.

The Del Mar riding title has a chance to come down to today's closing card, although leading rider David Flores would have to blank and second-placed Alex Solis would have to have a four-bagger or better to win. Flores goes into today's action with a lead of 36-32 while Corey Nakatani sits third at 30 wins.

Trainer Bob Baffert is on a record meet -- even for him -- as he clinches the seaside title. He has 26 wins as they head into this 42nd and final day of racing. Baffert, who has captured every Grade I stakes at the session, sends a trio of juveniles in the featured Del Mar Futurity today. But none of them will be favored to capture the Grade II event. That distinction will go to the undefeated Richard Mandella-trained Dixie Union. Remember, 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Silver Charm flashed his first sign of brilliance with a win in this event as juvenile in 1996.