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A Historic Saratoga Race Track

The 2008 season begins with Opening Day on Wednesday, July 23 and ends with Closing Day on Monday, Sept. 1, lasting 36 days. (The Track is dark on Tuesdays.) Travers Day will be Saturday, August 23.

Planning a visit to the Saratoga Race Course? Dress code, tickets and parking are just a few of the FAQ's of Racetrack visitors. Find the information you're looking for when you check out our helpful tips for the 'trackies' below. Plus, find information about Saratoga RaceTrack opening day, Travers Day and more throughout the site!

2008 Special Events Include:

July 20th: Saratoga Racetrack Annual Open House - Many activites such as equine demonstrations, non-wagering races, handicapping seminars, backstretch tours and family activities can be expected.

July 25th - 27th: Hats Off to Saratoga Festival - On Friday and Satuday take part in a downtown Broadway music festival and the return of sunset racing to Saratoga. On Saturday watch the Breeder's Cup Challenge which includes the Whitney Handicap, the Diana, Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and the Go for Wand Handicap. On Sunday, don't forget your hat because it is the 17th Annual Saratoga Hat Contest.

August 11th: NFL Alumni Day - Meet and collect autographs from NFL alumni to benefit charity.

August 16th - 24th: The Travers Festival - A week long festival of equine-oriented events as well as many fun family inlcuding a Chili Cook-Off, the Stewart’s Ice Cream Eating Bonanza and Battle of the Brews.

August 29th-September 1st: Final Stretch Weekend - On Friday visit the track for sunset racing. A downtown music festival will take place on Satuday and Sunday. The Annual Family Fun fest will take place on Sunday and Monday. The meet concludes with a traditonal Labor Day barbeque on Monday.

Purchase Saratoga Race Course Tickets

Purchase Race Track tickets online right here on Saratoga.com in the near future! Bookmark this page to stay updated.

Tickets are sold at the gate. Reserved seat sales can be made at the Union Avenue gate office at 8 am and the downtown Saratoga Springs Holiday Inn at 6 pm the evening before.

• General Admission:$3 (Children under 12 are free)
• Clubhouse Admission: $5
• Grandstand Reserved Seats: $6 & $8
• Clubhouse Reserved Seats: $10 & $15
• Travers Day Admission: $5 Grandstand; $10 Clubhouse

There is no way to 'reserve' seating in the picnic areas at the Saratoga Race Course. There is a tradition, however, to throw a tablecloth over a picnic table to claim it. These go very fast, so make sure you get to the track very early in order to claim a table. For more information on ordering reserved seats in the clubhouse or grandstands, call 518-584-6200.

Saratoga Race Course Parking Tips

As you drive nearer and nearer to the track, you will see many parking signs. As a general rule, the closer to the track you get, the more you will pay for parking. Here are the many Saratoga Race Course parking options available:

• General Parking: Free
• Trackside Parking:$10 (Gates open at 6:45 am)
• Preferred Parking: $5 (Corner of East Avenue and Union - Gates open at 9:00 am)
• Lawn Parking: Many area residents will offer parking on their lawns for varying fees
• Grandstand & Clubhouse Handicapped Parking Available

Race Track Schedule & Post Times

Opening Day: Travers Day: Closing Day:	Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Saturday, August 23, 2008 Monday, September 1, 2008
Gates open at:	11:00 am weekdays 10:30 am weekends 7:00 am Travers Day CLOSED on Tuesdays
First race post time:	1:00 pm daily
	2:45 pm Sunset Racing (Fri July 25)
	12:45 pm Travers Day (Sat August 23)
	2:45 pm Sunset Racing (Fri August 29)

Giveaway Days At Saratoga Race Course

Giveaway Sundays are a popular tradition at the Saratoga Race Course. Everyone likes to get free stuff! Every Sunday, the Race Track has a new item to give away for those who purchase the five-dollar ticket to get into the track. For the 2007 season, the souvenirs ranged from horse-handled umbrellas, to specially designed tee shirts, classically painted steins, and stylish fleece blankets. 2008 giveaways have not yet been announced.

Food & Drink Tips For The Track

Coolers are allowed at the Race Track, so feel free to pack up some sandwiches, drinks and snacks for a long, hot day in the sun. Or buy from dozens of vendors selling hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, chicken, ice cream, italian ice and many other goodies. Just make sure to bring enough cash because even a water can cost over $5.00 at the track!

Glass is prohibited, so you'll want to transfer any drinks or condiments into plastic containers to take along. Wine and other alcoholic beverages are welcomed at the Saratoga Race Course, but not their glass containers! You can find Saratoga Race Track wine tips here.

Dress Code At Saratoga Race Track

The summer hats and sundresses of yesteryear are still very much a tradition at this famed Racetrack in Saratoga Springs NY. Aside from cherished tradition, there are also some strict dress code policies at the Saratoga Racetrack.

• Grandstand: Shoes and shirts required.
• Clubhouse: No shorts, tank tops or abbreviated wear.
• Box Seats, Turf Terrace, Rail Pavilion: No shorts, t-shirts or jeans. For men, sports jackets and slacks or suits required (ties requested). For women, dresses, skirts or slacks required.

Directions To The Saratoga Race Track

From New York Metropolitan Area:
NY Thruway (I-90) to Exit 24 at Albany
Northway (I-87) to Exit 14
West on NY Route 9P to Saratoga Springs NY, just outside the track gates

Alternate Route: Get off the Northway at Exit 13N and take US Route 9 to 9P.

From Western New York:
NY Thruway (I-90) to Exit 28
Fultonville (Route 30A) to Johnstown
Route 29E to Saratoga Springs

Alternate Route: NY Thruway to Exit 27 at Amsterdam, Route 67E to Ballston Spa and Route 50 to Saratoga Springs.

From Upstate and Canada:
Northway (I-87) to Exit 14 to
West on NY Route 9P to Saratoga Springs, just outside the track gates

From Massachusetts and Connecticut:
Mass. Turnpike to NY Thruway (I-90)
North to Exit 24 (Albany)
Northway (I-87) to Exit 14
West on NY Route 9P, just outside the track gates

Alternate Route: Get off the Northway at Exit 13N and take US Route 9 to 9P.

From Vermont and New Hampshire:
Route 40 to Schuylerville and Route 29 to Saratoga Springs.

For more Saratoga Race Course information, visit SaratogaRaceTrack.com or the NYRA website.