Saratoga Racing

Horse racing in Saratoga Springs was started some time after horse racing became popular. In 1802 there was an act passed forbidding horse racing for a purse. While some counties were able to acquire amendments to the law, Saratoga County was not one of them; at least not for a while anyway. A good attempt was made on March 25, 1825, when some Saratoga Springs residents petitioned the State, however they were turned down and racing for a purse was still illegal in the county. After the State gave the county forty thousand dollars for the revival of county agricultural societies however, it seemed that horse racing was coming to stay.

While the fair boards and promoters built new buildings and attracted new sports, games like ploughing contests became very popular. The area residents were able to witness how these competitive spectator sports were so inviting. Horse racing was picking up around the country, and with all of Saratoga Springs new facilities it seemed a shame not to waste them. A particularly famous horse at the time was Lady Suffolk, a descendant of another famous imported horse, Messenger.

As she was winning races all around the area, Saratoga Springs decided to hold a race in their newly built one mile track, grandstand seating capacity five thousand. With the popularity of this horse, and the new facility it brought in the full five thousand and then some. On August 14th, 1847 horse racing had found its new capital. The “old gray mare” who wasn’t what she used to be, brought in a whole new world for Saratoga Springs, New York.

During the Civil War, horse racing slowed significantly of course. There was a need for horses other places than on the track and previously neighborly citizens now divided and retreated to their own homes. After the Civil War though the racing resumed and took off with a bang. Not only was it not illegal, but residents missed the Saratoga Springs of the past. The first meeting of the Saratoga Racing Association was held on August 26th, 1863. The association bought seventy one acres on what is now Union Avenue, along with other land already set for racing, and on August 1, 1864 a new race course opened. This course is in almost exactly the same spot as the course is today.

Today, horse racing is one of the most popular events in Saratoga Springs. Locals are drawn to the track by years of tradition, and travelers and visitors are drawn there by the murmurs they hear about this famous place. Race season is only thirty-six days long, but those thirty-six days are some of the most exciting of the year. General admission to the racetrack is only three dollars, and Club House admission is only five dollars. Children twelve and under are free, of course there is even more to do at the track than just watch horse racing.

There are large picnic grounds with televisions set up where families and friends can enjoy each other’s company while watching the races. The racetrack also offers other activities such as their breakfast at the track on race days, set on the Club House porch from seven to nine-thirty AM. Admission is free during breakfast. Whether you like horse racing or not the track is a beautiful place to join your friends and family. And if you do happen to love horses and racing, then Saratoga Springs is definitely the place to find it all.