Rice Wraps Career-Best Saratoga Meet With 40 Wins
After a 4-for-45 start, the barn finished with 40 wins, the most of Rice’s career at the Spa and two behind champion Chad Brown.
Linda Rice closed the 2026 Saratoga meet with 40 wins, her best total at the Spa. She finished second in the standings, two behind Chad Brown’s 42.
The summer started slowly, with four wins from the first 45 starts. The barn then won steadily through August. The best day came on August 15, when Rice won five races on one card and tied the Saratoga record.
Closing weekend was one of the most promising of the summer. The New York-bred 2-year-olds Velora and Scramjet won the $200,000 Seeking the Ante and Funny Cide, and first-time starter Dargham won his debut on closing day. Rice has spent this year rebuilding her 2-year-old business, with more horses and better ones.
“I’m gaining momentum, [gaining] the clients back and their confidence.”
Linda Rice
Rice was the first woman to win a Saratoga training title, outright in 2009. She shared the 2023 title with Brown at 35 wins. She is the only trainer other than Brown or Todd Pletcher to win or share a Saratoga title in the last 17 years. The circuit moved to the new Belmont Park, which opened on September 18.
Sources: Daily Racing Form, America’s Best Racing
