History of the Saratoga Race Track

In 1863, two men of prestige and fortune built a race track in Saratoga Springs, NY. Their names were John Hunter and William R. Travers. Little did John Hunter know that he was founding what would become the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the U.S., nor did his partner realize that he would be the namesake of the Travers Stakes, which would be the oldest major thoroughbred race in U.S. history. This was only the beginning.

As the years went by, Saratoga evolved and grew. It moved once, to its current position on Union Street. Its original meet was only four days long, and eventually lengthened to a six-week season. The first winner of a Saratoga meet was a horse named Lizzie W., but later the track would see mighty legends such as Man O’ War and Secretariat, and their defeats.

Man O’ War lost his only race in 21 starts to a horse named Upset at Saratoga Race Track, and Secretariat lost a race there right after his Triple Crown triumph. When another Triple Crown victor, Gallant Fox, was defeated by a horse with 100-1 odds, Saratoga gained the ominous nickname “The Graveyard of Champions.” The name is slightly misleading, since only three horses have ever been buried on the grounds, and all were favorites of the course rather than national champions.

The racecourse has made a little name for itself in pop culture as well. Footage for the 2003 movie “Seabiscuit” was filmed at the track, and an early scene in Diamonds are Forever, a James Bond novel by Ian Fleming, takes place at Saratoga Race Track.

Today, patrons can watch nearly 40 graded stakes races, thoroughbred races, steeple chases, and year-round harness racing on the track.  They can enjoy some of Saratoga Race Track’s unique features, such as a view of the horses and jockeys being lead to the paddocks, the Big Red Spring in the picnic grounds, one of the natural mineral springs Saratoga is famous for, the canoe in the middle of the track which is annually painted with the colors of the stable which wins the Travers race, a hand-rung bell which sounds exactly 17 minutes before each post time, twilight racing and more.

There is no limit to the amount or variety of fun to be had at the Saratoga Race Tack – come see who is racing this season!