saratoga race course

As you get deeper into August, the weekends get bigger at Saratoga Race Course. This weekend is no exception. Friday looks to be a terrific day at the Spa highlighted by the 8th running of the Tale of The Cat handicap. Saturday will feature two big stakes races, the 116th running of the Saratoga Special and the main event on Saturday, the Fourstardave Handicap. Chad Brown's Raging Bull will be the horse to beat in that one and Sunday is the first giveaway of the year featuring the Saratoga Cooler Bag. Giveaways are limited, so come early.

It's Military Appreciation Day at the Saratoga Race Course this Thursday, July 22nd. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will be honoring military members and veterans throughout the racing day.

You're at Saratoga Race Course, it's a hot summer day in the Capital Region, and naturally, you're getting thirsty. What should you reach for?

But what makes Saratoga Race Course so special? Is it the lure for some to step back in time with men and women attending a sporting event dressed in their most fashionable summer clothing? Or is the opportunity to stake your claim to a few picnic tables and room for your pop up tent inside one of the sports world's national treasures. It's probably some of that plus the beauty of the well cared for historic structure but maybe it's the ghosts that lie within the walls or on the track, that brings people back year after year.

Grab your bet slips and your floppy hats, because Saratoga Race Season is HERE! Here's everything you need to know ahead of Week 1.

This is the week! Finally, the Saratoga Race Course will be open for the season this Thursday. Even though there were races last year, no spectators were allowed in. Well, it's a new year and a new season. Get ready racing fans, not only will you get a full forty days of racing, there will be giveaways too.

With Governor Cuomo announcing that seventy percent of New Yorkers are vaccinated, more restrictions have been lifted. The Saratoga Race Course has announced it will allow one hundred percent capacity at this summer's meet. Full capacity does not mean that there won't be certain regulations that need to be followed. You still may have to wear a mask.

There will be fans in the stands and inside the Saratoga Race Course. If you are vaccinated, you will be able to buy their tickets to this summer's meet starting today. There are designated areas for vaccinated patrons only. They include reserved seats in the Grandstand, Clubhouse, The Stretch, and Fourstardave Sports Bar

Finally, we have some guidelines as to which events we can attend. The good news is we will be able to go to the Saratoga Race Course this summer. Although it won't be a full house, at least some spectators will be allowed to watch the horses run.

It's still hard to believe that the Saratoga Race Course opens this week and there will be no spectators allowed. We all understand why, but it definitely will be weird. NYRA is implementing safety plans to make sure that those who try and come to hang out are deterred from doing so.

The Saratoga Race Course opens up on Thursday and while the horses are making their way up to the track as we speak, fans this year will not.   But the pandemic is not getting the best of a local man who took the time to meticulously recreate the Saratoga picnic area that he and his buddies sit at every weekend.  It's a stunning mini-replica of the 'Toga paddock and best of all, right in his backy

There may not be fans inside the Saratoga Race Course this summer, but that does not mean you won't be able to enjoy one of Saratoga's best summer destinations.