Saratoga Race Track Schedule 2017
A History of the Saratoga Racetrack
Saratoga Racetrack, located in Saratoga Springs, NY, was established in 1863, making it one of the oldest and longest-running racetracks in the world, the oldest being the Freehold Raceway, NJ (informally established in the 1830s). The track is operated by the non-profit New York Racing Association and has played host to some of the most important races and legendary horses of all time, including Secretariat, Man o’ War, Gallant fox and American Pharaoh.
Originally, Saratoga Springs gained popularity due to the healing properties of the natural springs. That was until a four-day thoroughbred meet was arranged by John Morrissey in early August 1963, where more than 5000 visitors viewed and wagered on the eight incredible races hosted there, ensuring the creation of the Saratoga Race Course, now one of the most elite tracks in the world.
Saratoga Race track annually hosts The Travers Stakes, the oldest major race for thoroughbred horses in the USA having first run in 1864. The Travers Stakes, known also as the Midsummer Derby, was named for William Travers (first president and co-founder of Saratoga Racetrack). Each year, the Stakes Winner is celebrated by having the colors of the winning stable painted onto a canoe on a lake in the middle of the track.
Schedule for 2017
The Saratoga Park race schedule of 2017 includes some of the most anticipated races of the New York Racing Calendar. The dates of the 2017 Saratoga Racetrack schedule have not yet been released, but some of the matches to keep an eye out for include:
- The Travers Stakes, a race exclusively for three-year-olds, where the best horses compete on a dirt track for a $1.25 million purse.
- The Whitney Handicap, a 1 ⅛ mile dirt track race for horses over three years old for a $1.25 mil purse (and a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic).
- TheAlabama Stakes, a 1 ¼ mile dirt race for 3-year-old fillies that usually takes place mid-late August competing for a $600,000 purse.
- TheHopeful Stakes, a 1 ½ mile dirt Grade 1 stakes for two-year-olds; the race has been around since 1904 and considered a prestigious showcase of the top EC horses; the 2016 purse was set at $350,000.
Getting to the track on race day:
See you on race day! You can easily travel to Saratoga Race Track (267 Union Ave; Saratoga Springs, NY; 12866) via car, bus, subway or railway (for more information go to https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/visit/map-directions).
Taking a Car to the races? If you are traveling from NY Metro be sure to take the New York Thruway (I-87) to Exit 24 at Albany, then the Northway (I-87) to Exit 14, West on NY Route 9P, landing you just outside the track gates.
If you are coming from western NY, Upstate and Canada consider taking the New York Thruway to Exit 27 at Amsterdam, Route 67E to Ballston Spa and Route 50/Northway (I-87) to Exit 14 to Saratoga Springs.
Those coming from Massachusetts and Connecticut will take the same route but begin from the Mass. Turnpike to NY Thruway (I-90), continue north to Exit 24 (Albany), then onto Northway (I-87) to Exit 14.
If you are traveling from Vermont and New Hampshire, your most direct routes are Route 40 to Schuylerville and Route 29 to Saratoga Springs.
Alternatively, consider taking the Adirondack Trailways Bus Service to Saratoga Springs. Call (800) 776-7548 or visit trailwaysny.com, or travel via railroad using the Amtrak service to Saratoga Springs (call 1-800-USA-RAIL)
Photo by Caris Photography
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For more information, to place your wagers or to get some insider betting tips go to MyWinners today.
MyWinners has all the stats, tips and performance data to help you make the most out of your time at Saratoga Racetrack!
Upcoming Saratoga Track Races: Unconfirmed dates but will run July 21 – September 4
| Date | RACE | RESTRICTIONS | SURFACE | DISTANCE |
| Unconfirmed | A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Steeplechase) | 4&UP | Turf | 2 1/16 |
| Adirondack | F2YO | Dirt | 6 1/2 Furlongs | |
| Albany (NYB) | 3YO | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap | 3&UP | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | |
| Alydar | 4&UP | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Amsterdam | 3YO | Dirt | 6 1/2 Furlongs | |
| Ballerina | F&M 3&UP | Dirt | 7 Furlongs | |
| Better Talk Now | 3YO | Turf | 1 Mile | |
| Birdstone | 3&UP | Dirt | 1 3/4 | |
| Bolton Landing | F2YO | Turf | 5 1/2 | |
| Bowling Green Handicap | 4&UP | Turf | 1 3/8 | |
| Caress | F&M 4&UP | Turf | 5 1/2 | |
| Coaching Club American Oaks | F3YO | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Coronation Cup | F3YO | Turf | 5 1/2 | |
| Curlin | 3YO | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Diana | F&M 3&UP | Turf | 1 1/8 | |
| Evan Shipman (NYB) | 3&UP | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Fasig-Tipton De La Rose | F&M 4&UP | Turf | 1 Mile | |
| Fasig-Tipton Lure | 4&UP | Turf | 1 1/16 | |
| Fasig-Tipton Waya | F&M 3&UP | Turf | 1 1/2 | |
| Fourstardave Handicap | 3&UP | Turf | 1 Mile | |
| Funny Cide (NYB) | 2YO | Dirt | 6 1/2 Furlongs | |
| Glens Falls | F&M 3&UP | Turf | 1 3/8 | |
| Honorable Miss Handicap | F&M 3&UP | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | |
| Jim Dandy | 3YO | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| John Morrissey (NYB) | 3&UP | Dirt | 6 1/2 Furlongs | |
| John’s Call | 3&UP | Turf | 1 5/8 | |
| Ketel One King’s Bishop | 3YO | Dirt | 7 Furlongs | |
| Lake George | F3YO | Turf | 1 1/16 | |
| Lake Placid | F3YO | Turf | 1 1/8 | |
| Longines Sword Dancer | 3&UP | Turf | 1 1/2 | |
| Lucky Coin | 4&UP | Turf | 5 1/2 Furlongs | |
| National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame | 3YO | Turf | 1 1/16 | |
| New York Turf Writers Cup (Steeplechase) | 4&UP | Turf | 2 3/8 | |
| NYSS Cab Calloway Division | 3YO | Turf | 1 Mile | |
| NYSS Statue of Liberty Division | F3YO | Turf | 1 Mile | |
| P. G. Johnson | F2YO | Turf | 1 1/16 | |
| Personal Ensign | F&M 3&UP | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Prioress | F3YO | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | |
| Priority One Jets Forego | 3&UP | Dirt | 7 Furlongs | |
| Quick Call | 3YO | Turf | 5 1/2 | |
| Riskaverse | F3YO | Turf | 1 Mile | |
| Sanford | 2YO | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | |
| Saranac | 3YO | Turf | 1 1/8 | |
| Saratoga Dew (NYB) | F&M 3&UP | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Saratoga Special | 2YO | Dirt | 6 1/2 Furlongs | |
| Schuylerville | F2YO | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | |
| Seeking the Ante (NYB) | F2YO | Dirt | 6 1/2 Furlongs | |
| Shine Again | F&M 3&UP | Dirt | 7 Furlongs | |
| Shuvee Handicap | F&M 3&UP | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Skidmore | 2YO | Turf | 5 1/2 | |
| Spinaway | F2YO | Dirt | 7 Furlongs | |
| Summer Colony | F&M 3&UP | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Tale of the Cat | 3&UP | Dirt | 6 Furlongs | |
| Test | F3YO | Dirt | 7 Furlongs | |
| August | Travers Stakes | 3YO | Dirt | 1 1/4 |
| Troy | 3&UP | Turf | 5 1/2 | |
| Union Avenue (NYB) | F&M 3&UP | Dirt | 6 1/2 Furlongs | |
| West Point presented by Trustco Bank | 3&UP | Turf | 1 1/16 | |
| Whitney | 3&UP | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| With Anticipation | 2YO | Turf | 1 1/16 | |
| Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa | F&M 3&UP | Turf | 1 1/16 | |
| Woodward | 3&UP | Dirt | 1 1/8 | |
| Yaddo (NYB) | F&M 3&UP | Turf | 1 1/16 |
Photo by Caris Photography