Saratoga Race Course: What to know about the 2025 season – Spectrum News

With the Belmont Stakes run, Saratoga Race Course is now preparing for the upcoming summer season — which starts earlier than usual. The 2025 summer horse racing season begins this week with the new July 4 Racing Festival, running from Thursday-Sunday. That will be the precursor to the 40-day meet, which opens July 10. Here’s what to expect at the track this summer. July 4 Racing Festival Horse racing fans get four extra days at the start of Saratoga’s summer season. In addition to the racing from July 3-6, there will be $1 hot dogs at concession stands, free beer, bourbon and wine samples depending on the day, an ice cream eating contest and more. For entries, check the NYRA Saratoga site. (Spectrum News 1/File) On the track Following the July 4 festival, the summer season begins in earnest on Thursday, July 10. It’ll run through Monday, Sept. 1, with races five days a week from Wednesday through Sunday. The big races are, as always, the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes (Saturday, July 26), the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes (Saturday, Aug. 2) and Saratoga’s signature race, the Grade 1 Travers Stakes (Saturday, Aug. 23). For entries as the season goes
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