How To Spend a Perfect Day at the Track in Saratoga Springs
- Amy Leggett
- 46 minutes ago
- 10 min read
If you haven't spent a summer day at the Saratoga Race Course, you are missing out on one of upstate New York's (and horse racing's) most iconic traditions. Open since 1863, the Saratoga Race Course is where history, horse racing, and high-society flair come together for an experience that is equal parts thrilling and charming. I've spent many summer afternoons enjoying everything that the Saratoga horse racing season has to offer. Even after all these years, I can't help but feel the rush of excitement as the horses start coming to town and the energy starts to rise as the races begin.
From all of time at the track, I have learned a lot about how to have an enjoyable day at the races. Whether you come to (hopefully) win some money, spend a fun day with friends, or just people-watch, a day at the Saratoga Race Course promises a day you won't forget!
General Info:
2026 Racing Schedule:
Belmont Racing Weekend: The 2026 racing season opens with the third and final running of the Belmont Stakes on June 6 (with other races taking place over the weekend June 3-7).
This year the traditional Saratoga racing season has been extended. It kicks off with a July 4th Racing Festival starting on Friday, July 3 and racing continues through Labor Day as usual.
Dark days from July 3-July. 26 will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The regular 5 day race week (Wednesday-Sunday) commences Wednesday, July 29.
Hours:
Gates open at 7am for early entry to claim picnic tables in the backyard (more on that below).
Grounds will be cleared after early entry and gates reopen at 11am for race day admission.
Cashless:
Cash is not accepted for admission, parking, food and beverage purchases, or programs. You can use cash for live teller betting. ATM's are available on site to convert cash to card (or to get cash for that in person betting).
Coolers:
Coolers ARE permitted and allowed in the backyard, buildings and apron but CANNOT be placed on tables, on seats or in aisles. Food and beverages (including alcohol) must be in plastic or aluminum containers, glass is not permitted. Coolers are subject to search by NYRA security.
Wi-Fi:
Wi-Fi access is available on site (for that online betting through the NYRA Bets App). The Wi-Fi is NYRA WIFI.
Setting Yourself Up For A Successful Day at the Track:
Where to Park:
Valet Parking: The most luxurious parking option is to take advantage of the Valet Parking option at the track. Valet Parking is available off of the Nelson Street Entrance to the Race Course (by the 1863 Clubhouse). Obviously the most expensive option, but the shortest trek to the entrance. If you are going for a high-society, luxurious track day this will start you off right!
Paid Track Side Parking Lot: The trackside lots are paid parking and price varies depending on whether there is a big race that day (like the Belmont or Travers). Preferred and Silver Trackside Parking can be secured with a pre-paid reservation. I highly recommend reserving in advance if you want close parking because I have delayed in previous summers and lot parking was sold out.
Free Track Parking: There is free track parking lot located alongside the Oklahoma Training Track which is across the street from the Race Course, so you will have a bit of walk.
Free Street Parking: If you arrive early enough, you may be lucky enough to snag a spot on the streets around the Race Course which will be free as well. How far you have to walk will depend on how lucky you are!
Private Paid Parking: There are also enterprising home owners who charge to park on their property (usually a block or so from the track).
Where to Sit:
One of the most important decisions you need to make when you get to the track is where you are going to sit/set up your party headquarters. There are a bunch of options, so read below and figure out the kind of track experience you want to have. I will describe your choices from most casual to elevated.
General Admission: This is generally what I do when I go to the track. With a General Admission ticket you don't have a specific place to sit, but you have a lot of different choices. A General Admission ticket gives you access to the Backyard, areas of the Clubhouse and the Grandstand, and the trackside apron. You can bring a cooler, picnic basket and lawnchairs. If you want to snag one of the coveted picnic tables, you will need to have someone from your party show up for early gate access at 7am and place a table cloth on the table you want. This is a long-standing Saratoga tradition and people respect the placing of the table cloth. General Admission tickets are generally $7 if purchased in advance, $10 day of race. Special stake races will be higher priced. Get single day general admission tickets here.
Reserved Seats: If you want a more secure seat, you can purchase reserved seat tickets at several different spots. Check out availability and pricing for the various areas listed below.
Pick Six Picnic Paddock: Certain picnic tables are retained for reservations so you don't have to do the early morning gate run. You also get prime view of the paddock for a pre-race view of the horses and lots of TVs for race viewing if you don't go trackside. Each table accommodates six and additional chairs and pop-up tents are prohibited.
Clubhouse and Grandstand Seats: Seats with unobstructed views of the race track and servers for food and beverages. I reserved seats in the Grandstand when my parents came to see the races a few years ago (pictured above).
Michelob Ultra Stretch: Located at the far end of the Grandstands at the top of the final turn on the track, the reserved seating in this area provides an exclusive, private hospitality area with upscale amenities.
Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar: Reserve a table at this ground-level sports bar just steps from trackside. Lots of flat screen TV's to catch all the racing action. Outside food and beverages are prohibited in this area and a minimum $10 food and beverage purchase per person is required.
Surfside Tailgate at the Turn: Reserve your tailgating spot for a unique trackside view of the racing action. Each section accommodates six and must be purchased in full. Only one car is allowed at each space and grilling is not allowed for safety reasons.
Festival Tent: The big red and white tent in the backyard is the perfect spot for your race day party. You can reserve a picnic table for six to secure your home base for race day.
Clubhouse Dining: Reserve a table at one of three dining venues at the track. Table capacity varies from 2-10. Prices are based on the venue, the number of seats at the table (ex. 4 seat table=Price per seat x4), and a $25 food and beverage purchase minimum per person. Reservations include a table at the chosen restaurant for the entire race day so you can come and go throughout the day. The tables at all three venues are covered so no worries about the weather. Check out availability and pricing for each venue.
Turf Terrace: Turf Terrace is located on the 3rd and 4th floor of the Clubhouse and overlooks the finish line. It is a fancier venue so collared shirts are required for men and dresses, skirts or nice pants are required for women.
Club Terrace: Club Terrace is located on the 2nd floor of the Clubhouse and overlooks the backyard and the paddock. There is NO direct view of the race track from Club Terrace.
The Porch: The Porch is located on the ground level of the Clubhouse and is just steps from the outside rail. The video shows The Porch in the morning for the track breakfast to give you the idea of its location. At race time all tables are full and the area is bustling with race fans.
Luxury Seating. If you really want to elevate your Saratoga experience, you can reserve a luxury suite or a box seat.
The 1863 Club: There are various options for luxury seating in the 1863 Club. One option is the luxury suites located on the top floor of the 1863 Club. There are five fully furnished suites accommodating 30-45 guests. There is a balcony, upscale interior and access to private suite level bar and lounge. If you want to ball out on race day check out the1863 Club options.
Box Seats: Priority for box seats is given to racing horseman, but there are a limited number that are available to reserve on a first come, first serve basis. Pricing varies based on location and race schedule. A box seat reservation includes track admission for five, a personal tablet, and food and beverage for purchase from dedicated servers. Check for box seat availability and pricing.
Ride the Rail: Regardless of where you choose to sit, you should make sure that you take the time to go down to the rail to watch one or more races. I would head to the rails about 10 to 15 minutes before the race starts to get a front row spot on the rail. From here you will see the horses parade onto the track (listen for the bugelers call), watch the horses enter into the starting gate (if the start is on the Grandstand side of the track), and see the exciting photo finish if you find a spot by the finish line. It is exciting to stand in the crowd and cheer on your horse as they gallop by.
INSIDER TIP: After the race is over, don't rush to cash your winning ticket. If you stay be the rail you will be treated to an up close view of the race horses as they come for a cool down spray and pat down. You sill be in awe of these beautiful creatures as they stand just feet away from you. It is a special moment that many may miss because they leave as soon as the race is over.
What to Wear:
What to wear for your day at the track is an important decision. It is a chance to get fully decked out and show off your personal style. Fancy hats and fascinators are highly encouraged (where else can you wear a big frilly hat and without feeling out of place?). One thing that will factor into your decision is where you decided to sit. If you are in Clubhouse Dining or the Luxury Seats there will be a dress code to consider. Collared shirts are required for men and skirts, dresses or nice pants are required for women.
Even if you are in the Backyard or the Reserved Seats, you may want to show up and show off with your outfit choice. The only thing I would recommend is comfortable shoes. You will do a lot of walking back and forth to the rail or strolling around the track grounds taking in all of the things to see.
If dressing up is not your thing, there are plenty of people who choose comfort over fashion so you will not be alone in casual clothes.
How to Bet:
Once you are settled in your place at the track, you will be turning your attention to the main attraction...horse racing! It is fun to watch the races with no skin in the game, but it makes it even more exciting if you have placed a bet on the race. You don't even have to bet much. I get so excited on my $2 bets that people around me probably think I have bet the house. There is a lot that goes into wagering on horse races if you are a serious gambler. However, if you are just there for a fun afternoon, anything goes. I frequently place bets solely because I like the horse's name (who cares that the horse is an extreme long shot to win). You can bet on a horse to win, place or show. A bet for win means the horse has to come in first. If you place a bet for a horse to place, the horse must place first or second for you to win money. A bet to show means the horse can come in first, second or third to be considered a winning bet. The amount you win depends on how much you wagered, the odds the horse had of winning and what place they actually came in. A $2 bet to show on a horse with good odds of winning may typically pay out around $2.80(ish). You get your money back plus a little extra...and bragging rights that your bet won! Obviously wagering a higher dollar amount will result in greater winnings.
There are three ways to place a bet at Saratoga Race Course:
Live Teller Window: This is my favorite way to place a bet. I like interacting with the tellers and you can use cash. Follow the order set forth on the sign above. Tell the teller you want to bet X dollars to (win, place or show) on number (number of horse in the race you are betting on). They will give you your betting ticket which you will return to the window to cash in if (I mean, when) you win.
Self-Serve Terminals: If you would rather eliminate the human interaction in the betting process, you can go to the live teller once to get a prepaid voucher (the total amount you want to bet over the day). You will take that voucher to the self-serve terminals and follow instructions to place your bet. TWO tickets will spit out. One is your betting ticket, the second is your voucher ticket with the remaining amount of money you are betting with. Make sure to take BOTH tickets from the terminal. I benefitted from somebody who forgot to grab their voucher ticket from the terminal. Let's just say I had a great day...on them.
NYRA Bets App: You can eliminate all trips to betting windows or terminals by betting right on your phone. Download the NYRA Bets App and load your account with funds. Then you can place your bet from anywhere (even if you are not at the races). It is an easy way to keep betting funds separate and quickly place a bet (and eliminates the possibility you will forget your betting voucher at the terminal).
So there you have it...a set up for a great day at the races! I promise you a Saratoga memory you won't forget if you plan a visit to come to the races. The excitement of the horses, the glamour of the spectators and the vibe of the whole event is worth making this a bucket list item. In addition to the horse racing, there are many other things to do and see while at Saratoga Race Course. Look for my upcoming blog with an insider perspective of the best way to spend your time at the track. There is so much to do you will need to return to Saratoga again and again!
