And They’re Off…Early Start To Saratoga Track
It looks as if the Saratoga track season will begin early this year. Sources close to News Channel 13 say that the Saratoga meet may start as early as when Luke Bryan comes to SPAC this summer. According to News Channel 13, it is almost a done deal that the horses will be running as early as July 11th this season.
If the approval comes from the state, the 2019 racing season at Saratoga will begin Thursday July 11th and run through Labor Day. There will be no racing on Mondays (except for Labor Day) and Tuesdays. Adding the second dark day will keep the racing season to forty days still.
It just seems kind of crazy for the track season to start that early. I used to work at the Saratoga Race Course as a teenager and then it was "The August Place To Be." Now it's July, August and September. Plus with all of the concerts at SPAC, the area is already congested.
It has not been announced officially, but an answer may be coming soon. Here is the official statement from NYRA.
“We understand the urgency in announcing the dates for the 2019 Saratoga racing calendar. This matter is a complex issue that transcends NYRA and involves multiple partners. We anticipate that we will be in a position to announce the 2019 Saratoga dates within the near future. We appreciate the patience of our horsemen, fans and the community.”