Saratoga Race Course

About Saratoga Race Course

One of the oldest and most charming horse racing tracks in the country, a day at Saratoga Race Course is not to be missed. The meet kicks off in late July and runs through labor day each year. During the meet, the world focuses on Saratoga for its world-class Thoroughbred horse racing including the Travers Stakes, affectionately known as America's "Mid-Summer Derby". Named one of the "top ten sporting venues in the world" in Sports Illustrated Magazine, Saratoga Race Course is an architectural and cultural treasure.

What You Need To Know
The key racing dates for the 2009 meet are (as of 12/29/08):

Opening Day at Saratoga- July 29

Sunset Racing (first post time 2:30 p.m.)- July 31

Hats Off Weekend - July 31 and August 1 

The Diana, The Whitney, The Go For Wand - TBA

The Alabama-TBA

The Sword Dancer Inv. - August 15

Travers Stakes - August 29

Sunset Racing (first post time 2:30 p.m.) - September 4 

Final Stretch Weekend -  September 5 and 6 

The Woodward, The Forego - September 5

The Hopeful - TBA

There is no racing on Tuesdays.

All post times are at 1 p.m. except for:

Twilight Racing Days - Friday July 31 and September 4 - Post Time 2:30 p.m.

Travers Day - Post Time is Noon

Giveaway Dates - TBA

Continuing this year - Saratoga Restaurant Row
Five local restaurants serving some of their best recipes - Brindisi's; Hattie's; Panza's;Grey Gelding; One Caroline Street Bistro / Mouzon House
Saratoga Restaurant Row is located in the Courtyard, just east of the Paddock area.

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.

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Contact Information
For more detailed information on Saratoga Race Course as well as ticket and seating information, please visit the New York Racing Association's web site at www.nyra.com.

WABC's Erik Hastings Tells You About Horse Racing In Saratoga: