News - Track turns 140

While the racetrack was built in 1863, there were five dark seasons in Saratoga Springs due to gambling laws and World War II. Those five years didn’t seem to affect the track’s glamour and prestige, however.

Saratoga Race Course was originally built by William Travers and Leonard Jerome, business partners from New York City and John Hunter, an expert horseman, advisor and co-owner of Bloodstock with Travers. The first meet hosted 26 horses during the four-day meet, with Lizzie W. winning the very first race at Saratoga Race Course.

The following year, a larger racetrack was opened on Union Avenue – the beginning of the track as we know it today. 1864 also marks the first running of the Travers Stakes race in honor of Travers and the work he put into opening the racetrack.

Many famous horses have run at America’s oldest racetrack such as Fourstardave, who won at Saratoga Race Course for eight straight years, Man o’War, whose only defeat in 21 starts was lost to Upset in 1919.

“The biggest parts of Saratoga Race Course that have kept people coming every year is it’s beauty, tradition and the quality of racing,” retired grounds manager George Hathaway said. “Saratoga gets the best horses, the best jockeys and the best trainers. It’s just a great place for racing.”

Hathaway worked at Saratoga Race Course for 34 years and retired in 2006. During his time at the racetrack, Hathaway saw many changes take place. One of the biggest changes he saw was the expansion of the backyard. What used to be a driveway and parking area now hosts the picnic grounds along Union Avenue.

According to Hathaway, attendance began to grow heavily in the late 1970s up through today. When there wasn’t enough room in the clubhouse, patrons were allowed to stand in the infield to watch the races. The infield stopped being used after the creation of the backyard which has television monitors visible from every angle.

“When I first started working at the track there were no more than 30 televisions. Today, I’d have to say there are well over 1,000,” he said.

In order to celebrate the 140th season, New York Racing Association is hosting “Tradition turns 140,” and Gentleman’s Day on Saturday.

“Tradition turns 140” will highlight the history of the Saratoga Race Course and will focus on the city’s old-world charm and will highlight some of the racetrack’s traditions such as “Breakfast at Saratoga,” when in the 19th century, the members of the Saratoga Society would dine at the track early in the morning, usually in their evening attire from the night before after a long night of gambling at Canfield Casino. The 19th century menu featured frog legs, melon and champagne; however, this “Tradition Turns 140” won’t force patrons to eat frog legs. A tamer menu, such as fruit, scones and steak will be available.

Once the racetrack opens, the first 5,000 guests will receive a vintage Coca-Cola bottle, a collectable from 1906.

To bring back the memories of the early days at the racetrack, the Victorian Social Club will greet fans in period attire along with a mannequin display from the Saratoga Springs History Mueseum. The display will feature racetrack attire dating back to the 1860s.

“The racetrack has come so far. It used to attract 9,000 people on average, and today we average 26,000 people per day,” said Ed Lewi of Ed Lewi Associates. “This track and community have done a wonderful job keeping the track up to its historical value. It has proven to be the most successful racetrack in North America.”