Dateline: 07/10/97

America's oldest track, Saratoga Race Course, opens for it's 1997 season on July 23rd and runs through September 1st. The spa meet is generally held to be the most prestigious in the nation with 36 stakes races already carded, most of them graded. Check my events calendar to see what is scheduled for each day.

Saratoga marks the beginning of the serious two year old racing season. The Breeder's Cup juvenile favorites will likely emerge from Saratoga and such prestigious races as the Saratoga Special and the Hopeful. The three year olds are also in the spotlight at Saratoga with the Travers, known as the Midsummer Derby. This year's renewal, the 128th running, should be quite exciting as all three of the top horses from the Triple Crown series are expected to compete. Saratoga is also noted for it's turf racing and steeplechases. There will be several major turf stakes for the older horses of both sexes, with the premier event being the grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational at a mile and a half.

Once the exclusive retreat of high society, Saratoga is now much more democratic with pic nic tables as well as turf club boxes available. Many racing fans plan their year around a trip to Saratoga to watch the top horses compete, take a ceremonial sip from the Big Red Spring, and hang out at Siro's Restaurant. Fellow guide Jana Jones of the Elegant Resorts site will be covering the best places to stay on your trip. A link to her feature will be added as soon as it is available.

Saratoga, the August place to be, looks like an exciting place to be this year!

For a collection of photographs of Saratoga, check Drew Ivan's Photo Gallery.
For beautiful paintings of Saratoga, check Jenness Cortez's Saratoga Collection.

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