Saratoga

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Saratoga History

Saratoga Race Course is not only known for its historic value and mineral baths, but it was also named one of the world's greatest sporting venues by Sports Illustrated. Every summer, the Graveyard of Favorites (so known for the racing incidences that have occurred here), rouses for six exhilarating weeks, as enthusiasts indulge in the Travers Stakes - the oldest and foremost thoroughbred horse race in the United States, and discover the unrivaled ambiance and charisma of Saratoga Springs.

The first thoroughbred meet took place on 3 August 1863, just a month after the Battle of Gettysburg, and was hosted by John "Old Smoke" Morrissey. In the beginning, the meet took place over four days and today it enjoys a six-week meet.

In 1864, following the success of the first meet, the Saratoga Association was formed, and its immediate undertaking was to build a new, permanent grandstand on the existing location of the Saratoga Race Course. The ?old course? became the barn area known as Horse Haven, with the remnants of the original track still encompassing the stables.

On 2 August 2006, the track was closed due to a heat wave. Previously during World War II and in 1911 and 1912, it closed for three whole seasons, when all forms of wagering on horse racing were outlawed. This makes it only four times in 115 years that the track has been closed.

In the early 1960's, there was a movement to carry out summer racing solely at the new and contemporary Aqueduct Racetrack, but in 1962, New York State Governor W. Averill Harriman, signed "The Harriman Law," which declared a bare minimum of 24 race days at Saratoga every year.

"Health, history, and horses" - a sure bet motto for the race track of Saratoga.

Saratoga Contact Info

Phone (718) 641-4700

eMail customerservice@nyrainc.com

Website www.nyra.com/index_saratoga.html

Physical Address:

Saratoga Race Course
267 Union Avenue
Saratoga Springs NY 12866

Postal Address:

New York Racing Association
PO Box 90
Jamaica NY 11417

Saratoga - Betting

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