Saratoga Race Course will again host racing participants and fans from around the world in a 40-day summer meet stretched over seven weekends between July 14 and Labor Day, September 5.
Since 1863 the Saratoga meet has drawn stars both on and off the track to the area. Racing participants, full-time handicappers, casual fans and vacationers all struggle to identify winners on daily racing cards that feature some of the best horses in the word. Needless to say, the resulting influx of people and funds generates significant economic activity to the city and surrounding area.
On track, the action includes 77 stakes races worth $22.6 million in total purses pursued by top class horse, trainers and jockeys. Off track, the city hosts numerous fund raisers, parties, and innumerable social gatherings of all kinds. Restaurants and night life emanate from the track to the surrounding area and into downtown most race nights. The New York Racing Association has a number of days celebrating various ethnicities and activities and there is something for everyone
The middle of the race meet sees the traditional Fasig-Tipton yearling sales in the evenings of August 8th and 9th which are open to the public free of charge. The “sales” present perfect opportunities to mingle with friends and strangers over a cold drink in the night air while viewing exquisitely-bred thoroughbred yearlings up close and personal. The crowd watches as bidders respond to the quick-talking auctioneer but hushes as the auction price for any particular yearling approaches then exceeds $1 million. If you have not yet attended the sales you should mark your calendar and experience the spectacle – just don’t raise your hand.
Just prior to the sales on the morning of August 5th the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame has its induction ceremony across the street from Saratoga Race Course at the Fasig-Tipton Pavilion. Also, open free of charge to the public, this year’s inductees include two outstanding modern race mares Beholder and Tepin both of which had loyal followings among fans.
The actual racing commences Thursday, July 14. Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the final day on Labor Day Monday, September 5.
Saratoga Race Course features quality racing every day but unquestionably the two marquee races are the $1 million Whitney Stakes on August 6 for older horses going a mile and an eighth and the $1.25 million Travers Stakes on August 27 for three year olds at the classic distance of a mile and a quarter.
In the category of “everything old is new again” the New York Racing Association has reconstructed the Wilson Chute to permit races at the middle distance of one mile on the main track. The mile and one-eighth configuration of the race course permits sprint races up to seven furlongs and route races of nine furlongs or more. Main track races at a flat mile could not be accommodated. This limitation was problematic when longer grass races were moved to the main track because of wet conditions and horses accustomed to running on the grass found the mile and one-eighth distance on the main track taxing. This will permit those races to be run at the short distance of a mile.
The Wilson Chute was last used in 1992 but proved unpopular with bettors and horseman alike due to the extreme advantage the configuration gave to inside post positions. This advantage led to riders scrambling to move over from outside positions to the rail causing significant jostling and at times dangerous conditions. Time will tell whether this iteration is less biased, but bettors would be wise to focus on horses with inside post positions on races beginning in the new chute.
Races are conducted rain or shine on the main track and two grass courses. A special feature of Saratoga is the addition of steeplechase races mid-week throughout the meet. Walk-up admission is permitted every day for a nominal fee and food and drink on track is plentiful. With the last two seasons adversely affected by the pandemic, this season is expected to be particularly well-attended by both equines and humans making for an exciting meeting.
