Saratoga Race Course Begins its Longest Meeting

The 2026 Saratoga race meeting begins Friday July 3rd offering a historic 46 racing days, almost doubling the traditional 24 day meets of yesteryear.  The way the calendar falls this year July 4th and Labor Day are as far apart as possible thereby making for a long racing season. The New York Racing Association has decided to continue from its opening July 3rd right through Labor Day, running a modified schedule by racing only four days per week for the first three weeks (with Wednesdays being dark) most of July.  The usual five day per week schedule will resume July 29th.

Competition

This is an important race meet for the New York Racing Association which has enjoyed the popularity of its Saratoga meet. This year, in addition to the competing Del Mar meet on the West Coast, Saratoga faces stiff competition from two Kentucky race tracks. Ellis Park in Kentucky has offered increased purses for its summer meet and figures to draw away several Kentucky bred maidens which will run for purses of $100,000 in maiden races there. Separately, Kentucky Downs, with its short, boutique meet offering grass racing, overlaps the Saratoga meet on six of its seven race days. This overlaps more than in other years and in the past, we have seen horses, trainers and jockeys lured to Kentucky Downs from Saratoga by the oversized purses offered on those days.

It remains to be seen to what degree increased racing competition will dilute the quality and quantity of horses, jockeys and trainers participating in the Saratoga meet but it figures to be significant. NOTE: The weather is always a wild card both here and in Kentucky and at least for opening day and opening weekend the expected heat could jeopardize the Saratoga cards. 

Racing

Significant race dates:

August 1st – Jim Dandy Stkes 3-year-olds

August 8th – Whitney Stakes – older horses

August 22nd – The Alabama Stakes – 3-year-old fillies

August 29th – The Traves Stakes – 3-year-olds

The highlight of the Saratoga meet is always the Travers Stakes – known as the Mid-Summer Derby.   This year’s renewal has already been thrown a curve when it was announced that Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo has suffered a slight illness and will be skipping the Jim Dandy Stakes. Trainer Cheri DeVaux now plans to train Golden Tempo directly to the Travers without a prep race and such a change could be significant. Golden Tempo as of now is a question mark.

The marquee race for older horses, the Whitney Stakes to be run on August 8th is expected to draw a stellar cast as usual. The race has already generated some buzz with trainer Mark Casse announcing plans to enter his classy filly Nitrogen against the boys. Nitrogen has an affinity for the Saratoga course and the old adage “horse for courses” most certainly was a factor in these plans. It figures to draw its usual strong field.

On-track Attendance

This year may prove a daunting one for the New York Racing Association as it tries to extend the excitement of Saratoga racing to a long 46 days.  A racing facility without fans can be a sterile place and even Saratoga is not immune. In recent years there have been days (and parts of days) where the facility is more empty than full and despite good overall attendance figures hollowness can emerge.  The length of the race day, the number of race days and (despite protestations to the contrary by some), the cost of the race day can combine to depress on-track attendance. To maintain enthusiasm the New York Racing Association would be wise to take steps to ensure that people are in the building for the bulk of each racing day, particularly local residents.  

Farewell to Aqueduct

Racing said goodbye to Aqueduct Race Track this weekend with the final race run Sunday afternoon. The sendoff was bittersweet as many fans attended the final day jamming the now limited space dedicated to horse racing at the facility. The crowd was decidedly different than a large stakes day crowd in terms of dress, style, affluence – it seemed genuine and passionate about what the facility personally meant to them.

Races were run at this location for an astounding 132 years. A full review of its importance to racing and the legendary performances and performers on these grounds is beyond the scope of this column but suffice it to say it cannot be overstated. 

In addition to races of major importance, for decades it was the economic engine of the New York Racing Association and provided the revenue to sustain the more expensive Belmont Park and Saratoga operations. It’s location on the New York City subway system made it a home for all economic classes. 

In later years Aqueduct was converted largely into a casino and fell upon tough times as a racing facility. However, to judge Aqueduct on its final state and disregard its history is a mistake. Change happens but Aqueduct carried the load for decades. Farewell Aqueduct– racing owed you more.