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Saratoga Horse Racing Course

“Pace makes the race!” is the handicapper’s frequent cheer at the 350-acre Saratoga Race Course’s 6.0 furlong sprints. With a record one-day attendance of 69,523 in 2002 and a record one-day handle of $8,926,074 in 2001, Saratoga never has trouble filling the 6,000-car parking capacity provided by the New York Racing Association (NYRA).

Built in 1863, NYRA’s Saratoga Race Course started to undergo race track enhancements as early as 1865, when the grandstand was lengthened by 120 feet, the seats were cushioned for better comfort, a new fieldstand was added, and the entire race track was fenced in.

In 1900, more improvements were made, focusing on the Clubhouse to which was added a cafe and an iron railing with ornamental gates. More importantly, the old stakes races were all reinstated and new stakes races were added, like the Hopeful which continues to this day. In 1965, following Saratoga’s 100-year anniversary, new construction gave way to a 550-foot long addition to the grandstand. New cafeterias, escalators, better ventilation, and a new roof were also part of the enhancements.

Sports Illustrated, which recently named the Saratoga Race Course as one of the “Top 20 Venues of the 20th Century,” has this to say about the race track: "With its striped awnings, old wooden clubhouse and grandstand, and paddock shaded by elms, Saratoga transports you back to the days when people came to the races in surreys with the fringe on top."

The Saratoga Race Course has over 700 pari-mutuel windows with more than 200 “sam” machines. Below are a few other details.

Saratoga Grounds

Main Course 1 1/8 miles Turf Course 1 mile Steeplechase Course - Inner Turf Course 7/8 mile Oklahoma Course 1 mile Turf and Steeplechase Course 7/8 mile Clare Court Course 1/2 mile

Saratoga Grandstand

Length 1,305 feet Depth (varies) 150 feet Height, Clubhouse 4 stories Height, Grandstand 2 stories Floor Area 385,000 sq. ft.