SARATOGA RACE COURSE: ULTIMATE DAY WITH THE HORSES IN SARATOGA SPRINGS
SARATOGA SPRINGS IS WORTH VISITING FOR ITS RACE TRACK AND NATURAL SPRINGS
Summer in New York State means the horses are running at the Saratoga Race Course. Spending a day or weekend in Saratoga Springs offers many options to enjoy the local attractions and root for your favorite thoroughbred.
Start the morning by eating breakfast while watching the thoroughbreds warming up on the track and joining a backside tour. Then stroll across Union Ave to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame before returning to the paddock and betting windows. After cheering for your picks, head to downtown Saratoga Springs to enjoy the shops and restaurants.
If you have some extra time, consider visiting one of the other museums in town, a lovely park, or an interesting trail. Don’t miss experiencing the “springs” part of Saratoga Springs by trying a taste of the mineral waters at one of the public fountains.
Founding of the Town of Saratoga Springs
Mineralized water began burbling up out of cracks in the bedrock in the middle of what is now New York State in the Paleozoic Era. Indigenous people began frequenting Serachtague, or “place of swift water”, for its believed sacred and healing properties.
Starting in the 1800s, grand hotels and resorts drew people from a vast area to partake in the only hot springs east of the Rocky Mountains. The railway arrived in 1837, bringing a boost in tourists and more development.
In the second half of the century, the wealthy built elaborate Victorian mansions near Broadway and Union Avenues. They hosted many influential politicians and famous people.
Saratoga Springs Today
Summer now brings over a million visitors to Saratoga Race Course over the eight weeks between mid-July and Labor Day Weekend. Residents or visitors of New York City and Boston can reach Saratoga Springs in approximately three hours by car.
Throughout the year, twenty mineral springs draw visitors to experience their relaxing and healing waters. The town also offers nearly 80 restaurants and bars as well as many museums and parks to explore.
Saratoga Race Course
Founding of Saratoga Race Course
During the Civil War, the horse racing industry suffered due to the country’s upheaval and the need to utilize available horses for the war effort. John Morissey, an ex-boxer and casino owner, took a gamble anyway and launched a four-day meet near downtown Saratoga.
After this event attracted thousands of spectators, Morrissey gathered his wealthy friends William Travers, John R. Hunter, and Leonard Jerome to found the Saratoga Association. They built a grandstand at the current location, which is now considered the third oldest racetrack in the United States.
Prestige of Saratoga Race Course Grows
Over the next century and a half, the number of races and prestige of the course surged. The Travers Stakes, begun in 1864, has become the oldest thoroughbred race in history. Held in mid-summer, it attracts the top horses with its purse of $1.25 million.
Secretariat’s first official win happened at Saratoga Race Course in 1972. However, he lost on his return the following year after his Triple Crown win, adding to the reputation of the track as the “Graveyard of Champions”.
When the horse Upset beat an undefeated Man o’War in the Sanford Stakes in 1919, the word “upset” was emblazoned in the lexicon of sports. Man o’War set the course record the following year and held it for decades.
How to Maximize Your Experience at Saratoga Race Course
Breakfast at the Track
If you rise early, you can watch the horses and riders getting in their morning warmups. The Clubhouse Porch offers a buffet from 7:00 to 9:30 am every day, accompanied by live racing.
My friend and I chose instead to bring some food from home and stop for coffee and tea at Uncommon Grounds on the way. We grabbed some seats in the sparsely filled grandstands and enjoyed a lovely morning. Parking at that hour was easy, and we left our car there while we walked over to the National Museum of Horse Racing.
Tour of the Backstretch
Outside the main entrance of the Saratoga Race Course, a tram transports visitors to the backstretch every 30 minutes from 7:30 to 9:00 am for a walking tour. Our knowledgeable guide explained the history of the racetrack and the daily routine for the horses and staff.
We lingered next to a dirt track as horses cantered around the circle and a handler led a former racehorse up for us to meet. We then strolled past the barns and ended near the backside of the main track with the starting gate standing ready nearby.
Picnic Area
I have visited other prominent racetracks and what impressed me most about Saratoga Race Course was the vast picnic area outside the stands. Visitors can enter the park at 7:00 am to claim a picnic table, or they can bring in their own chairs and coolers and establish a spot for the day. The track offers a limited number of reserved tables.
Large screens display the races, and betting windows are accessible to those in the picnic area. It appeared to me, however, that most people were simply enjoying a sunny day, laughing with friends and family in this festive community.
Big Red Spring
Located in the picnic area, the Big Red Spring offers a taste of the natural mineral water. It was named after two of the greats that ran here, Secretariat and Man o’War, the two “Big Reds”.
Where to Sit at Saratoga Race Course
Tickets to the Saratoga Race Course range from general admission at seven dollars to the buffet at The Rail at the 1863 Club close to $300. Seating areas include The Clubhouse, The Grandstand, The Stretch, The Turf Terrace, the 1863 Club, and The Spa Veranda.
My friend and I had reserved seats in the Clubhouse with a good view of the races, but we spent as much time away from our seats as in them. When I visit a racetrack, I spend time in the Paddock area, observing the horses up close. I also enjoy watching races from different vantage points, including near the rail.
Watching the Horses Pre-Race
As each race approaches, the competing horses walk from the stables to the Paddock, a large grassy area encircled by a dirt path. After the trainers check on them and place their saddles, the horses walk to keep loose until the jockeys mount up. They then file out to the main track surrounded by the owners and trainers.
I enjoy watching the horses prepare for the race, admiring their beauty and power. I make my final choices for betting, pretending that I can tell by looking which horse is ready to run. Yes, sometimes I bet based on the color or name of the horse. I don’t claim to know what I am doing or that I win many of my bets.
Betting on the Races
Betting windows are available in many areas around the track. I prefer to place my bet with a real person, but self-service terminals are also available. Bets start at $0.10 to $1, depending on the type of bet.
At the window, have your money ready and tell the clerk how much you want to bet, what type of bet, and the horse number. A typical bet for me would be “$2 to Show on Number 7.” This is about the safest bet you can make. You won’t win much throughout the day, but you can still have fun rooting for your choice and not worry about losing too much money.
Food and Drinks at Saratoga Race Course
Eight concession stands offer a variety of options, including hot dogs, tacos, chowder, and BBQ brisket. You can also find gluten-free options, snacks, and treats.
You can celebrate your wins with a glass of champagne or lessen your losses with some tequila. The track allows coolers in the picnic area, including those with alcohol, as long as they do not contain any glass.
Music at the Track
Local musical acts perform during each racing day at the Purdy’s Summer Music Stage between the grandstands and paddock.
Dress Code at Saratoga Race Course
Anyone who has watched the Kentucky Derby or the other main races on television knows that a day at the races entails donning your finest clothes and outshining those around you. Different areas of Saratoga Race Course have varying dress codes, ranging from casual summer attire in the picnic area to formal attire in the reserved seats.
Dressing up is one of the fun aspects of attending the track, and I encourage you to join in on the fun. You can get a better idea of what to wear on the Saratoga Race Course site.
What To Do in Saratoga Springs Besides the Saratoga Race Course
National Museum of Horse Racing
The fifteen galleries of the National Museum of Horse Racing showcase paintings, sculptures, and artifacts related to horse racing. You can learn the history of the sport and enjoy an immersive film about those honored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. I enjoyed seeing the painting of Lexington by Edward Troye that was referenced in the novel Horse by Geraldine Brooks.
The museum sits across the street from the Saratoga Race Course. It is open every day in the summer and Wednesday through Sunday the rest of the year. Admission is $20. You can park at the racetrack early and walk across to gather some good tidbits to impress your friends during the day.
Downtown Saratoga Springs
The downtown strip of Saratoga Springs along Broadway presents a typical portrait of a small town in the Northeast, featuring historic buildings and interesting shops. This area offers a great spot to head after a day at the races or between other activities to stroll and dine.
Don’t miss the Saratoga Tea and Honey Company. In the back room, my friend and I sampled a dozen flavors of honey before choosing from dozens of options at the tea bar. I purchased some loose-leaf Lapsang Souchong. It smelled like a campfire with an amazing smoky bacon flavor.
Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Spa State Park includes many activities for visitors, including the Saratoga Automobile Museum, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Saratoga Spa State Park Golf Course, and the Roosevelt Baths and Spa.
Multiple trails wind through the 2400-square-acre park, much of it on level paths. Geyser Trail takes about an hour to traverse and brings you along Geyser Creek and past a few springs and geysers.
Congress Park
Just south of the downtown Saratoga area, Congress Park is a beautiful place to stroll with fountains and springs. You can learn more about the town at the Saratoga Springs History Museum, located in the center of the park. The museum offers ghost tours of the Canfield Casino and informative walking tours.
After enjoying the park, head east along Union Avenue to marvel at the many magnificent Victorian houses in the neighborhood built in the 19th century.
Conclusion: Saratoga Race Course is Worth a Visit
The iconic Saratoga Race Course is well worth the visit to Saratoga Springs, an enjoyable town that is easily accessible from New York City and Boston. In addition to the many attractions at the unique racetrack, visitors will find museums, parks, mineral springs, and a welcoming downtown area. Feel a part of history at the racetrack that has been running horses since 1863.
