Saratoga Horseracing
Saratoga Race Track is a 350 acre-horseracing track in Saratoga Springs, New York. Saratoga Race Track is the oldest continuously operating racetrack in America and is acknowledged as one of New York's most important tracks.
A testament to its lofty status has been its yearly hosting of several prestigious stakes races. Among these are the New York Stallion Series, the Travers Stakes, the Ballerina, the Saratoga Breeders Cup, the Ballston Spa Breeders Cup, the Amsterdam, the Whitney Handicap, and the Diana Handicap.
Saratoga Race Track Facts
- Main Course: 1 1/8 miles
- Turf Course: 1 mile
- Steeplechase/Inner Turf Course: 7/8 mile
- Attendance Capacity: 40,000
- Total Seating Capacity: 17,000
Saratoga Race Track Records – Dirt
| Distance | Horse | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ½ Furlongs | Reneged | 1:05.00 | September 3, 1955 |
| 6 Furlongs | Imperial Hint | 1:07.92 | July 27, 2019 |
| 6 ½ Furlongs | Quality Road | 1:13.74 | August 3, 2009 |
| 7 Furlongs | Darby Creek Road | 1:20.40 | August 8, 1978 |
| 1 Mile | Key Contender | 1:34.72 | August 9, 1992 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Bravo | 1:39.60 | August 27, 1975 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | Lawyer Ron | 1:46.64 | July 28, 2007 |
| 1 1/4 Miles | Arrogate | 1:59.36 | August 27, 2016 |
| 1 3/4 Miles | Rejoicing | 2:56.40 | August 29, 1964 |
Saratoga Race Track Records – Inner Turf
| Distance | Horse | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Mile | Unitarian | 1:32.87 | July 20, 2014 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Ring Weekend | 1:38.25 | September 1, 2014 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | Gunslingin | 1:46.00 | August 11, 1980 |
| 1 3/16 Miles | Inordinate | 1:52.41 | August 10, 2016 |
| 1 3/8 Miles | Main Sequence | 2:11.46 | August 17, 2014 |
| 1 1/2 Miles | Awad | 2:23.20 | August 27, 1995 |
Saratoga Race Track Records – Outer Turf
| Distance | Horse | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ½ Furlongs | Leinster | 1:00.23 | August 3, 2019 |
| 1 Mile | Fourstardave | 1:32.40 | July 29, 1990 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Icy Atlantic | 1:39.43 | August 13, 2006 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | Lure | 1:46.34 | September 2, 1992 |
| 1 3/16 Miles | Say the Word | 1:51.40 | August 14, 2020 |
| 1 5/8 Miles | Houdini | 2:39.60 | August 27, 1969 |
History of Saratoga Race Track
The first thoroughbred race in America was held in Saratoga Springs in 1847, while the first national thoroughbred race took place during a four-day experimental meet at Saratoga Race Track , which opened on August 3, 1863.
The meet was the result of the efforts of John Morrisey, a State Senator, gambler and successful prize fighter in his day. Morrisey, John Hunter (later the first Chairman of the Jockey Club), William Travers (owner of the horse that won the first Travers stakes), and Leonard Jerome (the founder of the old Jerome racetrack in the Bronx) presided over the inaugural meet. It turned out to be a big success, and they decided to expand it the next year. The meet was moved across the street to its present location in order to accommodate the large crowds and enlarge the track.
Saratoga Race Track flourished in the succeeding years. Saratoga Race Track even earned the moniker "Graveyard of the Favorites" as legendary horses Man O' War, Gallant Fox and Secretariat were defeated by largely unheralded opponents when they participated in major meets at the track.
Big races have been held at the track since its establishment more than a century ago, a testament to Saratoga Race Track 's grand stature and staying power in the industry.