One of the biggest advantages a horseplayer can have at Saratoga Race Course is understanding track tendencies. While every racing day is unique, The Spa has developed certain patterns over the years that can help handicappers identify live horses and avoid vulnerable favorites. On the Main Dirt Track, tactical speed is often an asset, especially in sprint races. Horses that can break sharply, secure good … Continue reading Track Tendencies At Saratoga
The northeast portion of the country is in the midst of a heatwave with a recent spate of hot and humid days. Temperatures the past few days have been in the high 80s to low 90s- add in the high humidity, and you get the feels like readings of over 100 degrees. Saratoga Race Course is set to open Friday July 3rd. The forecast for Friday in … Continue reading Horses & The Heat
On Sunday afternoon, June 28, 2026, at roughly 6:00 p.m. the thundering sound of hooves striking the ground and turning for home at Aqueduct Racetrack went forever silent. After 132 years of entertaining New York City racing fans, the ninth race Sunday served as the last one ever contested at the Big A. Aqueduct joins the likes of the now-forgotten Jamaica Race Course and Brighton Beach … Continue reading Aqueduct Park Goes Dark
For more than 130 years, Aqueduct Racetrack has been a cornerstone of New York horse racing. Opened in 1894 in South Ozone Park, Queens, the track became known as The Big A and hosted some of the sport’s most prestigious races, including the Wood Memorial Stakes, a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby. Generations of racing fans flocked to Aqueduct, making it the last … Continue reading The Big A Goes Away
“From New York City you drive north for about 175 miles, turn left on Union Avenue and go back 100 years.” That quote is attributed to legendary NYC sports scribe Red Smith when he was once asked how to get to Saratoga Race Course. The town of Saratoga Springs resides in a vacuum as it relates to horse racing. Some might consider a lack of change to be a negative, but … Continue reading The Allure Of Saratoga
The Saratoga Race Course summer meet kicks-off on Friday, July 3rd, 2026, and runs through Labor Day. The season kicks off with the July 4th Racing Festival, which serves as Opening Weekend, part of a 46-day meet spanning 10 weeks. Racing takes place on a mix of four- and five-day weeks throughout the summer. While Mondays and Tuesdays are the primary Dark Days, the schedule … Continue reading The Summer Place To Be
Nestled in the heart of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Race Course is one of the most beautiful and cherished horse racing venues in America. Established in 1863, it combines rich history, natural charm, and world-class racing which creates an unforgettable experience for visitors. Towering trees provide shade across the grounds, while the historic grandstand reflects the elegance of a bygone era. The vibrant gardens, manicured lawns, … Continue reading Saratoga Grandeur
Saratoga Race Course opened on August 3rd, 1863. It stands as one of America’s oldest and most prestigious sporting venues and remains the oldest major thoroughbred track still in continuous operation. The track was born from the vision of John Morrissey, a former bare-knuckle boxing champion who organized the first thoroughbred races during the Civil War. Today, the track encompasses over 350 acres and remains … Continue reading Historic Saratoga Race Course
The 2026 Belmont Stakes is Saturday, June 6th. As a matter of course the race is usually the final leg of racing’s Triple Crown, usually that is, unless a global pandemic upsets the order of things. The race typically is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY but that location is still undergoing a major renovation. The past three years this construction at Belmont necessitated the shifting of its signature … Continue reading Belmont Stakes Basics
This is the time on the calendar when Derby hopefuls should be concentrating on two-turn preps and qualifying points. The Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Park on Saturday is a bit counter intuitive to this thinking. The Gotham is contested as a one-turn mile; however, the winner does receive 50 Derby qualifying points, a total that should be good enough for a spot in The Run for … Continue reading Who Wins The Gotham Stakes?
