Saratoga Race Course

The horses are out of the starting gate and ready to race! On August 3, 1863 Lizzie W. became the first thoroughbred to cross the finish line at Saratoga Race Course.

She would be followed at the Saratoga Race Track by such legends as Longfellow, Man o' War (who suffered his only defeat in the 1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes at Saratoga Racetrack) Gallant Fox, Kelso, Cigar, Secretariat, Affirmed, Alydar and Fourstardave. Fourstardave, a perennial local favorite, won at Saratoga every year for eight straight years and had a street in Saratoga Springs named after him when he retired. Another favorite, Go For Wand was buried in the Saratoga Race Track infield after breaking down at Belmont.

The horses are still racing, over a hundred years later, and Sports Illustrated named Saratoga Race Course number ten on the list of the Top 20 Venues.

Sports Illustrated describes the track "... with its striped awnings, old wooden clubhouse and grandstand, and paddock shaded by elms, Saratoga transports you back to the days when people came to the races in surreys with the fringe on top."

Saratoga Race Track Information

The racing season starts with opening day in late July and ends on Labor Day. Post time is 1 pm daily except Tuesdays (the "dark" day).  Gates open at 11 am on weekdays and 10:30 am on weekends, except for Travers day when they open at 7 am.

Early risers can have breakfast at the track and watch the horses work out.  Enjoy the Clubhouse breakfast buffet by the rail or grab a quick danish or muffin then take the free Backstretch Tour. You'll ride a tram around the track to the backstretch then walk around the grounds.   This insider's view of the "other side" of the racetrack includes a tour of the stables, a presentation on the thoroughbred where you can meet a retired racehorse and watch a starting gate demonstration.

Reserved seats are available in limited quantities by mail order from the New York Racing Association or at the Reserved Seat Sales Office at the track starting at 8 am. If you don't get seats, don't worry. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcomed everywhere other than the Clubhouse. Bring your cooler or picnic basket, if you're interested in saving a little on food and drink.  Coolers are permitted on the grounds, but, not in the Clubhouse or Grandstand.

If you arrive early you can stake out a picnic table for the day. The grounds are open before 7 a.m. Just park on East avenue (or pay a refundable $10 if you leave by 10 a.m. and park next to track), walk in, and leave some personal effects (table cloth, cooler - no bottles, etc.) on one of the many picnic tables. Track tradition has it that your stuff will be left as is. Aferwards, saunter over to trackside to watch the busy morning or workouts, have a bite, or head back to the hotel for breakfast with the fam. When you return at noon, your table will be waiting. Betting windows and TV's are available throughout the grounds of the race course, so, you'll be able to participate in the action even if you not sitting in front of the finish line (there's about a hundred year wait for those box seats...).

If you're interested in the Clubhouse note that "proper attire" is required. This means no short shorts, cut offs, tank tops or other abbreviated wear. You will need at least shorts and shoes in the Grandstand. At the rest of the track though, almost anything goes. You'll see the high society people who summer in Saratoga in suits and, of course, fancy hats - a Saratoga tradition, as well as the rest of the t-shirts and sneakers crowd.

After the Races

When your racing day is over head downtown or out to the surrounding area to one of the many fine restaurants. Whatever your remaining budget, there's good dining and more good times to be had.

Directions

The race track is located just outside of downtown Saratoga Springs.  Directions are available from a variety of locations.  There is free parking across the street from the race track (arrive early for the best chance of a good parking spot) and trackside parking for $10, which usually fills up fast.

The Travers

The big event of the season, and much more than just the horse race, is the Travers Stakes. The Travers was instituted in 1864 as a tribute to the president of the racing association, William Travers. That race happened to be won by a horse wearing his colors - Kentucky. The 1921 Travers Stakes was an interesting case indeed, starting out with just one filly, Prudery scheduled to race. Today, the Travers is a major stakes race and this year's top three year olds are expected to participate. In 2008, all eyes are on Big Brown to see if he'll make the trip to Saratoga following the Haskell.

The Travers isn't just about horse racing - Saratoga Springs has over a  week of entertainment and special events planned for the Travers Festival, which runs from August 16 - 24.

After Labor Day, New York thorougbred horse racing moves back to Belmont and Aqueduct and the Saratoga race course is quiet again for another year.

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, also located in Saratoga Springs is, however, open year-round.  In addition to live harness racing, visitors can enjoy simulcasts, VLTs, dining in a choice of restaurants.

Entries, Betting and Results

Saratoga entries, wagering information and results are available on the NYRA web site.

More Saratoga Horse Information:

New York Racing Association: Saratoga

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway

Saratoga Polo