Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:276 Union Avenue
Saratoge Springs, New York
Our Sports Superfan Says:
Historic, beautiful, and home to major races, Saratoga Raceway is the oldest sporting venue in the United States, where great horses have run, and celebrities and race fans alike congregate throughout the summer.
Since it opened in 1863, Saratoga has been one of the most important race tracks in the United States. It hosts the oldest thoroughbred race in the country, the Travers Stakes, which was first run in 1864. It also has a number of other highly-grades stakes races throughout its six-week annual meet. Saratoga has three separate top-quality race tracks, featuring two turf tracks in addition to the main dirt track.
Originally, the meet was four days long, and eventually became four weeks, and then five, and now six – ending on Labor Day. The warm summer climate in upstate New York, as well as the nearby spas, has long been a prime attraction for summering tourists, while the high-quality racing makes it that much more of a destination. Traditionally, big time celebrities have also come to Saratoga to catch a few races, bringing big money with which to bet. The 2007 season brought in almost $120 million in wagering; a track record.
Historically, great horses have run at Saratoga, but the "Graveyard of Champions" has taken a few down as well. Man O'War and Secretariat were both defeated by underdogs here.
Throughout the offseason, Saratoga Raceway also has live simulcasting of other tracks across the country. The track is located in the small town of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which is located about 40 miles north of Albany, N.Y.