Season's Greetings
Saratoga Race Course officially opens for the 2025 season today. Here are 14 ways to make the most of the Saratoga meet.
For those of us who like to do everything and be everywhere, the Saratoga racing season can be somewhat overwhelming. There’s this backstretch tour and that breeding farm tour and this breakfast and that brunch…it’s almost too much to keep track of, unless you have someone like Laura Simiele on your side.
Thankfully, the authority on Saratoga Race Course extracurriculars herself has graciously provided us with a roundup of everything you can do if simply going to Saratoga Race Course isn’t enough. And while we could get into all the one-off events and annual galas going on this racing season, Laura’s keeping it simple with all the things you can do all season long at Saratoga Race Course. Here’s her list:
This year, after both the Belmont and July 4th festivals, many are referring to today as “Opening Day 3.0.” To me, the season officially begins at the start of the “traditional” Saratoga meeting. So, happy official Opening Day! Over the years, the season has expanded and the days seem to be a bit longer, both of which increase the opportunities to be immersed in the magic that is Saratoga Race Course.
So, what’s going on now that we’re really ready to say “they’re off!” at Saratoga?
Breakfast at Saratoga
On every racing day besides Travers Day and Labor Day, The Porch of the Clubhouse hosts a trackside buffet breakfast from 7-9:30am while the horses are warming up on the track. Admission is free—if you want, you can bring in your own breakfast and sit on one of the green benches while you watch the horses—and breakfast is $30 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. But that’s not all…
The Morning Show
While you enjoy your buffet breakfast you can also tune into The Morning Show, hosted by yours truly! Each morning I give a presentation featuring a mix of trivia and general horse knowledge (and occasionally bring in some of the best-known personalities in the game!).
Backstretch Tram Tour
Before or after your breakfast, take a stroll over to the Mary Lou Whitney entrance and hop on a tram to the backstretch for a free tour behind the scenes. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about the daily routines of our incredible equine athletes and the men and women who take care of them, and to stroll where the hooves (and feet) of legends have been. Tours depart regularly between 7:30-9am and last about 45 minutes.
Breakfast and Breeding Tour
For those interested in the life cycle of horses from foal to forever, reserve your spot for one of the extremely popular (I’m not kidding—they will sell out) Breakfast and Breeding Tours. Hosted Thursdays through Sundays, this offering includes the buffet breakfast, transportation, a guided tour of a local breeding farm, and admission to the track. The tours feature three incredible Saratoga breeding and training farms: Song Hill Thoroughbreds, Old Tavern Farm, and Sugar Plum Farm. Tickets are $95 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under.
More Tours
Luckily for all you late-risers, there are more opportunities for tours outside of the Breakfast at Saratoga hours.
Walking Tour
Between 9am-3:30pm on nearly every race day, you can head over to the first floor of the grandstand near the escalators for a front side Walking Tour, an education on all the iconic parts of your day at the races, from the canoe in the infield to the bell-ringing at 17 minutes to post. Tours are $15 for adults and free for children 12 and under.
Backstretch Golf Cart Tour
Explore the Saratoga backstretch by reserving a one-hour private golf cart tour for up to five guests. You’ll get an up-close look at the equine athletes, trainers, riders, and grooms as they go about their daily routines while a knowledgeable guide answers your questions about life on the backstretch.
Paddock Tour
Go where the high rollers and true horseman are: the paddock! NYRA’s 30-minute Paddock Tour can accommodate up to 10 guests, bringing you into the area where horses are saddled and prepared before they head to the track.
Experience Greatness
See the iconic Saratoga Race Course from a whole new point of view…or become a part of the history with one of these exclusive experiences.
Name a Race
The Travers Stakes, the Whitney Stakes, the Jim Dandy Stakes…the [your name here] Stakes??? Get a Saratoga Race Course race named in your group’s honor. The race name will appear in the day’s program, and you’ll receive a win photo, plus five copies of the program.
Winner’s Circle Experience
If you’re getting a race named in your honor, you might as well enjoy it to the fullest with the Winner’s Circle Experience, which allows your group of up to 15 to step into the winner’s circle of your race and get your photo taken with the winning jockey.
3rd Race Call Experience
If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, reach out to the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) and book the 3rd Race Call with Frank Mirahmadi. Offered daily, the experience takes racing-lovers on the roof of the Saratoga Race Course Grandstand/Clubhouse and in the booth with the track’s race-caller during the third race of the day. Tickets start at $150. The best part? Proceeds benefit BEST, a nonprofit that provides support to Saratoga’s vital backstretch population. Read more about the experience here.
Sunday Funday
Friday and Saturday are, naturally, the most popular days to go to Saratoga Race Course, but there are some pretty sweet offerings if you choose to go on a Sunday.
Brunch at the Rail
If you’re not interested in waking up early enough to make it to the track breakfast, opt for Sunday brunch at the rail of the 1863 Club instead. Every Sunday at 11am, a brunch buffet will be served in the 1863 Club’s first-floor banquet space. Tickets start at $110 and include admission, a table seat, brunch, soft drinks, a Post Parade program book, tax, and gratuity.
Introduction to Handicapping
For a lesson in the fine art of betting the ponies, reserve your Sunday seat in the Paddock Suite. Perfect for parties of four, you’ll get a great view of the paddock plus access to a professional handicapper who’ll share tricks and tips for narrowing down the winning choice. Tickets start at $85.
Family Sundays
It’s always a good idea to post up near the Family Zone if you have little ones, but on Sundays, it’s an even better idea. Located near Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, the Family Zone hosts a variety of free, family-friendly activities, games, and attractions every Sunday.
NYRA STAR
Speaking of kiddos, the team at NYRA has done a phenomenal job activating programs for the next generation of racing fans and horse owners (and potentially a few up-and-coming jockeys and trainers) by launching NYRA Students of Thoroughbreds and Racing (STAR). The free STAR program offers up-close and personal paddock tours for registered members (and their families) up to the age of 12. Groups experience saddling under the trees in the iconic Saratoga paddock, viewing a race from the winner’s circle, and meeting jockeys, trainers, and owners post-race.
Sprinkled throughout the season are many more offerings provided by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, not to mention all the NYRA giveaways, racing-themed fashion events, and fundraising galas, all of which will fill this summer with more memories than we can count. It is my humble honor to be the first voice welcoming you to “The Spa.” See you out there, Saratoga!
—Laura