America's oldest track, Saratoga Race Course, opens for it's 131st season on July 28th and runs through September 6th. The spa meet is generally held to be the most prestigious in the nation with 35 stakes races worth $7.6 million in purses, 32 of them graded. Check their stakes calendar (scroll down to Saratoga) to see what races are scheduled for each day. For each race listed, they include the history of previous runnings and, as they become available, a list of the horses nominated this year and program pages with past performances. Note that the nominations are usually up about a week prior to the race and the program pages the night before the race. After the race is run, the program pages are replaced with the chart for the race.
Saratoga marks the beginning of the serious two year old racing season. The Breeder's Cup juvenile favorites often come from Saratoga and such prestigious races as the Saratoga Special and the Hopeful for the colts or the Adirondack and the Spinaway for the fillies.
The three year olds are also in the spotlight at Saratoga with the Travers, known as the Midsummer Derby. This year's renewal is expected to attract several of the top 3 year olds including Lemon Drop Kid, winner of the Belmont Stakes. The Whitney for the older horses should showcase a meeting of old rivals Real Quiet and Victory Gallop. The three year old fillies also have a major race here in the Alabama which should draw Silverbulletday.
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 events being the Sword Dancer Invitational for the males and the Diana Handicap for the females.
Misty morning workout at Saratoga, photo by Deborah Kral
Saratoga, the August place to be!
More Saratoga Info:
- Saratoga Racing Info - my collection of links to entries, results, charts, weather, live race calls, etc.
- Elegant Resorts and Inns of Saratoga Springs - the best places to stay in the area from Jana Jones our guide to Elegant Resorts and Inns
- Saratoga Springs - a guide to where to go and what to see in Saratoga other than the races from Alison Doyle our guide to Albany
- ... And They're Off! - a guide to the Saratoga meet also from Alison Doyle of Albany
- National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame - a must-see spot for racing fans
- Drew Ivan's Photo Gallery - lots of nice photos from Saratoga
- Saratoga Photos - several gorgeous photos from Saratoga courtesy of Guy Biegler and Moonlight Photography which also has a bunch more gorgeous racing photos on their website
- Saratoga Journal - daily recap of racing at the spa from the Thoroughbred Times
- Impressions of Saratoga - Saratoga souvenirs
- Jenness Cortez's Saratoga Collection - beautiful paintings
- The Professor's Countdown to Saratoga - he will have free selections and analysis for opening day and a free play daily
- Saratoga's Best Bets - free selections for the races plus lots of other info about Saratoga
- Saratoga Green - free selections for Saratoga and other tracks
- Saratoga Raceway - harness racing and more at the Equine Sports Center
- Racing History at Saratoga:
- Stephen Dobyns mystery series set in Saratoga:
- Saratoga Backtalk
- Saratoga Fleshpot
- Saratoga Haunting
- Saratoga Strongbox
- Saratoga Trifecta - includes "Saratoga Longshot", "Saratoga Swimmer", and "Saratoga Headhunter"
- They're Off! Horse Racing at Saratoga by Edward Hotaling, an excellent historical look at Saratoga
Title graphic from 1907 Saratoga postcard in the authors collection.
