Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. Opened in 1863, it is often considered to be the oldest major sporting venue of any kind in the country, but is actually the fourth oldest racetrack in the U.S. (after 3rd oldest Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack, 2nd oldest Fair Grounds Race Course, and oldest Freehold Raceway). In 1857 the Empire Race Course was opened on an island in the Hudson River near Albany, but was in operation only a short time.
Gate A entrance to the race course | |
| Location | Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°04′18″N 73°46′07″W |
| Owned by | State of New York |
| Operated by | New York Racing Association |
| Date opened | August 3, 1863 |
| Screened on | MSG Plus (restricted to cable systems in New York City, Northern/Central New Jersey, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Northeastern Pennsylvania) Capital OTB via WXXA Channel 23.2) NYRA.com/NYRA Now app (Internet) Altitude Sports (Rocky Mountains) Fox Sports 2 Fox Sports Ohio Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket (Southern California) Fox Sports San Diego NBC Sports Network NBC Television |
| Course type | Flat/Thoroughbred |
| Notable races | Travers Stakes (G1) Whitney Handicap (G1) Alabama Stakes (G1) Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) |
| Official website | |
The Saratoga meet originally lasted only four days. The meet has been lengthened gradually since that time. From 1962 to 1990, the meet lasted four weeks and began in late July or early August. In 2010, the meet expanded to 40 racing days, with races held five days per week. It lasts from mid-July through Labor Day in early September.