Saratoga Summer Racing Meet Begins Thursday

Saratoga’s 156th summer horse racing season opens Thursday. The thoroughbred meet, held at the historic Union Avenue racetrack, is expected to draw about a million people again this year. The meet runs for 40 days, with racing Wednesday through Sunday. The meet ends on Labor Day, Sept. 2. For the business community, opening day feels like a bit of a repeat this year. That was the case last month, when Saratoga hosted the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

The 156^th Saratoga’s summer horse racing season opens Thursday.

The thoroughbred meet, which takes place at the historic Union Avenue track, is expected to draw about a million people again this year.

The meeting lasts 40 days. The races will take place from Wednesday to Sunday. The meeting will end on September 2, Labor Day.

For the business community, opening day feels like a bit of a rehearsal this year. That was the case last month, when Saratoga hosted the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

“We’ve already had the Super Bowl and now we’re going back to the regular season. But that’s OK because not everyone was able to attend the Belmont Stakes Festival,” said Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

“Hundreds of thousands more people will be able to come to Saratoga. So I think the excitement is about welcoming back all of these people who traditionally come here, you know, with family, friends and want to get together in Saratoga and have a good time.”

NewsChannel 13 has you covered on Opening Day. We’ll be live from the track, bringing you the stories, interviews and people that make Saratoga Racing appealing to so many.