subject: The Attraction Of Saratoga Race Track Explained [print this page] Saratoga Race Track has been in almost continual operation since 1863, s record unequaled in America by any other sporting event. It is a beautiful, gracious track, home of the famous Travers Stake, the oldest major thoroughbred race. Together with the charming resort town of Saratoga springs, the race course is among the nation's best loved places.
There are actually four tracks at the course - two turf or grass tracks, one dirt track, and one training track, which is the old track dating from 1864. Flat racing is on both grass and dirt, and steeplechasing or jump races are run on the grass tracks only.
The financial rewards of thoroughbred racing come from the betting that attracts most patrons, but the Spa, as this race track is called, subordinates this to its relaxing atmosphere typified by the Picnic Grounds. The horses walk to the paddock through this area of huge shade trees and picnic tables, where Big Red Spring pours forth its healing waters for thirsty fans.
There is a lot of history and tradition at the Spa, as the racetrack is fondly nicknamed. A bell is rung by hand seventeen minutes before each race is due to be run, and a symbolic canoe on the infield lake is painted each year in the racing colors carried to victory by the winner of the Travers Stake, the oldest major American race of them all.
Another moniker is 'the Graveyard of Champions', since it has seen some historic upsets. Man O' War suffered his only defeat here, Secretariat lost to Onion later the same year the mighty horse won the Triple Crown, and Gallant Fox lost to a hundred-to-one shot named Jim Dandy, whose name has come to mean a real good thing.
Racing goes for six weeks every summer, ending on labor Day. During August two major thoroughbred sales bring even more members of the horse world to this new York town. Many old hotels are still in operation, many of the town's residents have boarding houses and B&Bs, and there are new luxury hotels as well. The Springs is busiest during racing, but has other attractions that bring visitors for the nine months of good weather. The town itself, its many spas, the beautiful scenery, great golfing, and Revolutionary War history are all reasons people continue to come.
Saratoga Race Track joins its history to that of the town and the surrounding countryside, where Indians, Revolutionary War soldiers, and early settlers and health seekers all were familiar with Saratoga Springs.
