Attention Saratoga racing fans – the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has just released more details regarding the upcoming 2021 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course.

The 40-day Saratoga season will feature 76 Stakes Races worth $21.5 million dollars in total purses.

Last month, NYRA announced that the 2021 summer meet at Saratoga will begin on Thursday, July 15th, and conclude on Monday, September 6th.

After the four-day opening weekend, racing will be held five days a week, Wednesday thru Sunday, with the exception of the final week, which ends on Labor Day.

Last week NYRA released the full 2021 Stakes schedule, which has at least one named Stakes race every live racing day.

In addition to the popular Travers and Whitney Stakes, this year’s schedule will include the Grade 1, Million dollar Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Grade 1, $600,000 Flower Bowl– both of which in past years have taken place during the fall meet at Belmont Park.

Also, (and this is big) NY State has said that live sports and entertainment venues with a minimum reserved seating capacity of 10,000 will be permitted to reopen with a limited number of spectators (plus testing and health and safety protocols in place) starting on February 23rd with approval from the state health department.

At the moment, NYRA is monitoring the NY State-issued regulations to determine how they may impact Saratoga Race Course.

A NYRA press release stated: “Additional details on fan attendance and tickets for the 2021 summer meet will be provided as information becomes available.”

Other race tracks throughout the country are now allowing a limited number of spectators into their facilities without any reported adverse effects due to covid19.

Stay tuned. Fingers crossed.