The Historic Saratoga Race Course
The Saratoga Race Course is the oldest continually operating Thoroughbred horse racing meets in the United States. Sports Illustrated recognized the Saratoga Race Course as one of the top ten sporting venues in the world. In 2013, the Saratoga Race Course and our entire community will celebrate 150 years of racing at Saratoga with five months of special events.
Summer At Saratoga
“Every day at Saratoga can be a special moment. Every single day something great can happen here and it does”, says Trainer Nick Zito.
“Best racing. Best jockeys. Best horses,” adds Jockey John Velazquez, the winner of the 2010 Kentucky Derby.
“Everybody eats, sleeps and drinks thoroughbred racing while the race meet is going on in Saratoga,” notes Neil Howard.
Racing’s best arrive in the small City of Saratoga Springs, New York. An enduring destination in American racing here at the oldest active sporting venue in the United States is a timeless summer tradition that continues year after year. For seven weeks, Saratoga will again host a colorful pilgramige as the sports familiar faces have made their way to racings ultimate summer destination – a picture perfect racetrack. That is Summer at Saratoga.
Each summer thousands descend on this bucolic town. While the waters in American history first put Saratoga on the map, soon tourists flocked to Saratoga for gaming as well. In 1863, John Hunter and W.R. Travers backed by John Morrissey started a race meet.
The latter part of the Victorian era was Saratoga at its height as the fashionable place to be in August - a who’s who of the rich and famous.
Drama on the track often provided the best entertainment in town as Saratoga became known as the graveyard of champions. It was where heavily favored Man o’ War took the track in the 1919 Sanford Stakes. Without starting gates, Man o War was apparently standing sideways as they were sent on their way and couldn’t quite catch the aptly named Upset at the finish. It was Man o’ War’s only loss in an illustrious 21 race career. 1930 Triple Crown Winner Gallop Fox lost to Jim Dandy at 100-1 in the Travers. And Secretariat, fresh from his 1973 Triple Crown campaign, lost to Onion at Saratoga.
Historical moments at Saratoga have paved the way for the best racing in the country year-in and year-out. All against a backdrop that remains timeless.
The 2013 meet runs from July 19 through Labor Day.
The key racing dates for the 2013 meet are:
Saratoga Race Course Open House: Sunday, July 14, 2013
Opening Day: Friday, July 19, 2013
Hats Off to Saratoga Music Festival: July 19 - 20, 2013
TVG Coaching Club American Oaks:
Diana:
Jim Dandy:
Whitney:
Fourstar Dave:
Alabama:
Sword Dancer Inv:
Travers Stakes:
Final Stretch Weekend: August 31 and September 1, 2013
Woodward:
Forego:
Closing Day: Monday, September 2, 2013
For information prior to the season: (718) 641-4700
For information during the 2012 Saratoga Race Course meet: (518) 584-6200
There is no racing on Tuesdays.
All post times are at 1 p.m. except for:
Travers Day (Aug 24) - Post Time is 11:35 a.m.
Twilight Racing dates - Post Time is 2:30 p.m.
www.nyra.com
Information, prices, helpful links about tickets to Saratoga Race Course: Click here
Lottery application for clubhouse or grandstand seats: Click here
Insider Tips
•Don't miss the morning workouts over breakfast at the track. You can also catch a free tour of the backstretch.
•Make sure you know where you are parking. There are several private lots just outside the track that are not part of NYRA's free parking.
•Locals may refer to Saratoga Race Course as "the flat track" or Saratoga Race Track.
•Picnic tables can be "reserved" on a first come, first serve basis by placing your tablecloth or cooler on the table. Be sure to get to the track early if you wish to grab a picnic table, as they are taken quickly.
•At Saratoga Race Course you can get a close up view of the jockeys about 20 minutes before each race in the paddock area.
Directions
Taking I-87 to Exit 14 is the quickest way to get to Saratoga Race Course.