Saratoga Race Track

Author: Matt

Summary: The Saratoga Race Track is considered the 3rd oldest racetrack and the oldest sporting venue in the United States. The first race of thoroughbred horses was organized by John Morrissey on August 3, 1863 - only a month after the Gettysburg address. 

The season typically runs from mid July through early September with lots of different races coming through. The Travers, or Midsummer Derby, is typically its biggest race with three-year-old thoroughbreds racing for a 1.25 million dollar purse. However, in 2024, the Belmont race was held at the Saratoga Race Track and it will be held there again on June 4th - 8th, 2025.

Date: Observations and data recorded Summer 2023

Site/location: 267 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Distance from Camp Hudson Pines: 20 Miles (approximately a 25 minute drive)

Participants: Adult female, Adult male

Length of Observation: A couple of hours

Key Dates for 2025 :

Links: https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/ and https://www.saratogaracetrack.com/ 

Activity: My wife and I love to go to Saratoga Springs for the day, whether to have a good meal from one of the many great restaurants or just sit at a coffee shop and people watch on Broadway. 

Our last trip there we decided to go to the Saratoga Racetrack. Wow what a treat. Depending on how big of a race you are going to, and when you go in the day, expect some traffic for parking. Generally speaking, arrive early for easier parking. There are paid lots but plenty of free ones as well. These are generally dirt and gravel parking lots. We found this LINK helpful in planning out our parking. 

The park and grounds are beautiful, old and steep with history. We had never been to a horse racing track before so we were rather awe struck. We also had no idea “How to do the Park”. Turns out many, or it seemed most people, bring a wagon with their chairs and picnic basket to set up under the shade trees on the grounds.

The horse racing was rather exciting! We felt lucky so we bet on a couple races, even though we had no idea what we were doing. Lori won on one bet….$4.70 on a $4.00 bet. I told her dinner was on her.

People watching here was just as fun. The serious betters had their racing forms all scribbled with notes. What did they know that we should have? The fancy people dressed “To the Nines” sitting in the Not so cheap seats. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves!

Photographs: (All photographs from The Saratoga Race Track Website)

Reflections: There are so many ways to do the racetrack at Saratoga! If you have questions about the facility, what to bring, what to dress, take a look at this LINK for answers to lots of questions. As for us, next time we will take our chairs and picnic basket and try to look like we know what we’re doing.

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