With the Belmont Stakes run, Saratoga Race Course is now preparing for the upcoming summer season — which starts earlier than usual.
The 2025 summer horse racing season begins this week with the new July 4 Racing Festival, running from Thursday-Sunday. That will be the precursor to the 40-day meet, which opens July 10.
Here's what to expect at the track this summer.
July 4 Racing Festival
Horse racing fans get four extra days at the start of Saratoga's summer season. In addition to the racing from July 3-6, there will be $1 hot dogs at concession stands, free beer, bourbon and wine samples depending on the day, an ice cream eating contest and more.
For entries, check the NYRA Saratoga site.
On the track
Following the July 4 festival, the summer season begins in earnest on Thursday, July 10. It'll run through Monday, Sept. 1, with races five days a week from Wednesday through Sunday.
The big races are, as always, the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes (Saturday, July 26), the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes (Saturday, Aug. 2) and Saratoga's signature race, the Grade 1 Travers Stakes (Saturday, Aug. 23).
For entries as the season goes on, check the NYRA page for the Saratoga Race Course.
Giveaways
The popular track giveaways start early this summer, just like the racing — and the Saratoga-branded apparel seems to be plentiful.
The first giveaway, on the Fourth of July, could be the cream of the crop: a red-framed, mirror-shield pair of sunglasses with the Saratoga logo. Oh yeah: Make sure you're one of the first 15,000 people through the gates on Friday to get your hands on them.
The rest of the giveaways during the season are as follows:
- Friday, July 11 — Saratoga Summer Tour t-shirt
- Sunday, July 20 — Saratoga Hawaiian shirt
- Friday, July 25 — Saratoga blanket
- Friday, Aug. 8 — Saratoga pennant
- Friday, Aug. 22 — Saratoga tote bag
- Sunday, Aug. 31 — Saratoga red quarter-zip sweatshirt
On the grounds
Wagering is a part of the experience of horse racing, of course, and there will be no shortage of opportunities to place your bets at the course. NYRA Bets kiosks are located throughout the grounds, including the grandstand, stretch, clubhouse and the 1863 Club; there are also a number of betting terminals on the grounds.
ATMs are also located throughout the facility, 11 in all.
There are a number of bars and restaurants to be found, including the Taste NY Pavilion, the Fourstardave just outside the clubhouse area and the Jim Dandy Bar in the grandstand. The Surfside Party Deck nearest Gates C and D features Shake Shack, and Finish Line Grill and Pizza can be found in the grandstand.
If you're bringing the kids, the Family Zone can be found next to the Gate A box office along Union Avenue.
Getting tickets
There are a variety of options for tickets at the track. General admission is $7 per person when bought in advance. Season passes can be bought for $95, giving you admission to all 40 days of the meet, July 4 Festival and Travers day included.
There are also reserved clubhouse and grandstand seats for sale, as well as reservations for the Pick Six Picnic Paddock.
For all ticketing options, check the Saratoga website.
Where to park
There are three tiers of parking — free lots with shuttle service to Gate A along Union Avenue; preferred parking lots (East, Madison, Rec Hall), which are pre-paid and reserved; and priority Silver trackside parking on Union Avenue, on the same side as the track, which is also pre-paid and reserved.
For more information and a map of the parking lots, check the NYRA Saratoga site.
