For live race results, keep an eye on http://www.twitter.com/thepinksheet

7:27 p.m.: Sorry for the delay between posts, folks. Stepped out of the press box (and thus away from the laptop) to head down to the paddock prior to the day's two stakes races, and to catch both up close. And then it was a flurry of activity to get stories filed on time for the newspaper - remember that?

A lot of us tried to beat odds-on Vineyard Haven in the James Marvin, reasoning that he'd be vulnerable off the long layoff. Boy, were we wrong. The 4-year-old son of Lido Palace came home as he pleased to win the graded-quality overnight stake, geared down late under Alan Garcia.

In the featured Schuylerville, a Grade III for 2-year-old fillies, Le Mi Geaux impressed. Used to being on or near the lead, she was well back late after breaking awkwardly; however, she showed some versatility - albeit while taking advantage of the early fractions - to storm home late for the win. It was the first stakes win on the first day of racing at Saratoga for apprentice Freddie Lenclud - despite standing in mud up to your ankles on the track after the race, you couldn't help but smile watching him come back after.

4 p.m.: Cinder Cone wins the sixth.

http://twitpic.com/27yi9y

3:26 p.m.: Always fun to note the classy pedigrees out in force at the Spa. As noted earlier, Flourish, a half-sister to Sightseek and Tates Creek, finished second in the second. In the upcoming sixth race, we'll see longshot Miner Bird, a 4-year-old by Horse of the Year Mineshaft. The colt's dam, Mountain Bird, is out of the Storm Bird mare Dear Birdie - making her a half-sister to Belmont/Travers winner and sire Birdstone and Grade I winner and champion Bird Town. Mountain Bird herself is stakes-placed.

2:31 p.m.: An interesting and welcome move - starting today, the decisions of NYRA stewards regarding the order of finish in races will be made publicly accessible. Directly following any ruling on an inquiry or objection, the stewards will provide a brief statement on the incident and the reasoning behind their decision. This will be communicated via the NYRA television feed and posted to nyra.com/stewards/sar/index.shtml.

1:55 p.m.: The new toteboard in the center of the infield has drawn a few complaints. Although the white-on-black HD numbers are probably crisp and clear up-close, from a distance down the rail or from the stands upstairs, they're extremely difficult to read because of size, spacing and lighting. However, as one glass-half-full reporter up here in the press box just pointed out: "Now that it's raining so hard it's dark, I can read it just fine."

1:42 p.m.: Well, we're underway, and I'm damp but not drenched, which is about as good as it's going to get today. The rain really picked up in earnest just about at post time for the first race. But - pardon the cliche - it didn't dampen the enthusiasm here. A roar went up from the crowd in the backyard when Sam Grossman - a.k.a. Sam the Bugler - blew the call to the post for the first race, and the fans were all to happy to oblige when announcer Tom Durkin asked for the customary "And they're off at Saratoga!" as the gates snapped open.

Wild finishes in our first two races today - Julien Leparoux rode both of the winners, both upsets, and both in photos. In the first, Dontstealmyland ($48.60) prevailed in a three-horse photo. In the second, Kathern's Kitten ($17.20) rallied from last to just grab the win. It was a tough beat for Flourish, Juddmonte's 3-year-old half-sister to their stellar mares Sightseek and Tates Creek. The filly fought her way to the lead in deep stretch, only to be caught late by Kathern's Kitten. Flourish has three seconds in four lifetime starts.

12:16 p.m.: Welcome to the live blog for Friday, July 23, Opening Day at Saratoga Race Course - the day we have all waited for since last September. Today feels a little like Christmas, and in our case, Christmas lasts for six weeks.

Very grateful to still be nice and dry in the press box. The rain is coming down steadily and although it's harder at some times than others, it doesn't appear that it will completely cease today. We're still on the turf, so the track must be holding out hope.

A couple of key scratches to note - stakeswinner Cool Coal Man, who loves Saratoga, from the James Marvin Stakes; and morning line favorite Final Mesa from the featured Schuylerville, which was expected as there is a sale on her pending.

Just about 40 minutes to the first post of the season. Here we go...enjoy the day, folks.