Staff Report
A host of major first-floor Clubhouse renovations, including a new horseshoe-shaped Jim Dandy bar, will greet racing fans at Saratoga this year.
Such work is the latest in a series of significant Clubhouse capital improvements, which last year featured upgrades to the Finish Line Grill and Modelo Finish Line Bar.
“As always, our goal is to offer fans an improved experience while balancing the history and tradition of this cherished venue,” said David O’Rourke, New York Racing Association president and chief executive officer. “These are important investments which guarantee a successful future for Saratoga Race Course.”
The historic track hosted racing’s third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes (Saturday, June 8) for the first time ever as reconstruction of Belmont Park continues in Queens. Saratoga will host the Belmont next year as well.
The race was the highlight of a four-day Belmont Stakes Festival in Saratoga, which brought unprecedented international exposure to the city while generating a multi-million-dollar economic impact.
The regular summer meet begins on Thursday, July 11 and runs through Labor Day Monday, September 2.
The Jim Dandy Bar, originally a members-only lounge in the 1940s, is named for a 3-year-old colt that pulled off an astonishing upset to win the 1930 Travers Stakes. The Jim Dandy Stakes has been held annually at Saratoga since 1964.
The bar has been moved back to its original Clubhouse setting, based on historical drawings, and is surrounded by vintage Saratoga Race Course scenes.
The atmosphere is open and airy, and reflects Saratoga’s original green and brown color scheme.
This year’s improvements also include a new Clubhouse Grill, across from the Jim Dandy Bar, sharing a kitchen with the Finish Line Grill. In place of an outdated concession with limited offerings, the new Clubhouse Grill has an extensive menu with hot food options that previously weren’t available.
Fans may also relax at an expansive drink rail that encircles the lower Clubhouse level, providing a clear view of the saddling paddock. Gazebos and tents that previously blocked this view have been moved.
And a new prominent and centrally located information station is designed to accommodate reservations and requests for dining and box seats. Fans can now book their reservations for the Turf Terrace, Club Terrace and The Porch.
Located adjacent to stairs leading to the second level, this reservations station replaces the lower-level Clubhouse bar, which was no longer needed following completion of the enhanced Jim Dandy Bar.
In addition, restroom facilities in the lower level have been significantly upgraded and expanded and feature historic photos embedded within the wall tiling near their main entrance.
This year’s work is the latest in a long string of major capital improvements NYRA has made to both the front side and throughout the barn area since 2017. These projects have upgraded the facility for fans, horsemen and the backstretch community.
In addition to improvements to the Jim Dandy Bar and lower-level Clubhouse, NYRA has expanded the highly popular Stella Artois Spa Verandas to meet guest demand for the 2024 racing season. The expansion includes a second section comprised of five units to complement the original six. The Spa Verandas are situated at the top of the stretch and offer fans a close-up view of the thoroughbreds making their way around the final turn.
Additional guest improvements over the last several years include the construction of the 1863 Club, Cutwater Stretch, Surfside Tailgate at the Turn, Paddock Suite and renovation of the Post Bar.
Looking ahead, NYRA is nearing completion of a backstretch residence building adjacent to the lowlands on the Oklahoma Training Track side of Saratoga Race Course. NYRA will continue to renovate and modernize existing housing on both the Oklahoma and main track sides of Saratoga this year and in the future, with new dormitory construction planned in coming years.
When complete, these new residences will represent the most significant upgrade to backstretch housing in the history of Saratoga Race Course.
In 2020, NYRA completed a major renovation to Saratoga’s main track that involved general improvements to the base and surface of the track as well as a complete overhaul of the drainage system and installation of a new rider safety rail. A year later, NYRA renovated and widened the Oklahoma Training Track to achieve consistency with the main track.
For more information about the 2024 racing season go to: www.nyra.com/saratoga/