A day at Saratoga Race Course

 Saratoga Springs, NY

August 27th 2023

Mark and I were blessed with a trip that took us for a day to Saratoga Race Course. Mark is an expert on this track as he has been going to this place since he was a child, he worked here as a teen, and has continued to enjoy this place through his adulthood as well as bringing his family to enjoy this place. 

The racecourse has been a key part of Saratoga Springs since 1863 and the oldest continually operating track in the country. Its beautiful, charming, fun, what can I say, its an amazing place. The Summer place to be, or at least for four weeks of the summer. From 1962-1990 the track was open for four weeks in the summer July through August. In 2010 it expanded it's hours to 40 days, five days a week.

I have been coming here nearly every summer since I've been married. Due to changes in our lives and plans to move to Florida, we had missed last summer and I believe the summer before, so when we were offered a day trip this year we jumped on it. The event was hosted by Turning Stone Casino, and we anticipated a fun filled day of everything we love about the course.  

Our day started with an early bus ride. Mike and Natalie were some friends that we going with us. Natalie added some fun to my boring track hat as we made our way to Saratoga. It came out pretty!

We have arrived. 

Its not required and honestly has not really become a thing until recently that women wear extravagant hats to the track. It was once something reserved for the Kentucky Derby, but has since just been a must when you attend any track. The original Derby hat dates back to 1711 at the Royal Ascot. A strict dress code included hats that women must wear during the English Horse races. The Derby hats in America began in 1875 on Derby day when guests would enjoy a fashionable parade. The trend has continued and wearing such hats especially on Derby Day is custom. I personally do not look good in hats, so I have never been uber passionate about it. Although some of these hats are beautiful true works of art. They can cost on average Five to Six hundred dollars, but some have even sold in the several thousands of dollars. I'll stick with my 2 dollar thrifty store find that Natalie dolled up with a plastic flower and ribbon thank you.

We had a special tent for the day, where we were provided alcohol and food. Mark joked that our tent was once the location of the dump area of the track. It really was not ideal and we were absolutely over taken by bees. Best if we just make our rounds elsewhere and Mark led the tour. 

An absolute must when in Saratoga....you have to drink of the Springs. You cannot trick me. There is no way I will drink this stuff. For those of you tempted, and I do encourage, just be prepared, the term Spring water is not what you expect when you consume this stuff. I personally think it tastes awful. Sulfur goodness!

We did not warn Natalie and Mike. 

FYI, there are springs all over Saratoga and not all of them taste like this, there are some that do taste like that clear bottle of Spring you see in the stores. 

Mark loves this little bar. Apparently Four Star Dave was a Horse that WON at least one race at Saratoga each year from 1987 to 1994. He was nick named the Sultan of Saratoga. 

These are reserved seats. It offers a great view of the track, and we have reserved in the past, but I much rather be at a picnic table behind the grandstand underneath a big beautiful tree. Speaking of trees. In 2016 several trees were cut down to create the Hall of Fame building and many have been eliminated due to concerns with safety. 10% of the over 2,000 trees with in the park were considered high risk and taken down. It certainly impacts the parks appeal and many race fans and loyalist of the parks history were upset. Now...on with the races. I am sure that I have expressed my lack of true enthusiasm for the races in other posts, so, I wont go there. It has its appeal and the horses are beautiful, but I am not a betting gal. I pick my horse with out any financial wage, based upon a few criteria....name of the horse, the specific jockey, the number 9 in the position, (this is my favorite number) and sometimes based upon how the horse looks in the paddock. So yeah, its not very scientific. A true betting man (no gender hate here it just sounded better) reads the stats, identifies the competition, considers the pace analysis, and some even use algorithms to predict the outcome. I can't be bothered with all that non-sense. I bet (out loud and root during) all based on luck. I should say, I almost never win. 

Afterall, Saratoga race course is so much more then just the race. Its great if you win, its sad if you loose, but look where you are. This place is beautiful and your walking around in history with every step. Most of my memories of this place are about family. Picnics under the trees, red and white umbrella structures that litter the park. Its about the beautiful old buildings, the bugle announcing the start of the race, even the announcer voice giving a step by step call of each hoof in the dirt. Its watching the horses as they walk the haddock. The thrill of getting that stupid shirt or cup or hat or even that extra special day you got an umbrella at give away days. Its the sound as you walk through the gate as the turn style catches you in the butt. Its memories, and I am certainly grateful to have them.

I do not think any of us went away a winner in the cash department, and many of us had enough of the sun, the bees and the limited amount of alcohol as well as sitting spaces in the shade. We were all ready to go home. Mike even fell asleep. We did loose one of our group members and had to wait to leave, but despite the negatives of the trip. I will always remember the days of the past. TTFN