New York Racing Associations Saratoga Race Course- The Graveyard of Champions
The race track famous for having the most upsets in the North-eastern state of United States is known as the Saratoga Race Course.
The surface over which horses’ race is a very critical factor in determining their speed and efficiency and it may be responsible for having the most unpredictable outcome regarding a race.
Saratoga Race Course serves not only as an infamous hotspot for Saratogians but also draws people from across the world. The race track is associated with the New York Racing Association it is also responsible for generating the most significant amounts
of profits for the association.
Built by John Hunter and William R. Travers, the track was first opened in August 3, 1863 for thoroughbred racing. It covers a splendid area of 350 acres. It caters to the most prestigious and oldest of the U.S. races, which also include the Travers Stakes.
A peculiarity not known to many amongst us is that the track had a former attribute. Its dirt race track had a Wilson Mile chute, which branched from the club house at a 90 degree angle.
However, this feature was abandoned in 1973. Saratoga race track was originally built across Union Avenue.
The duration of the race meetings that are held at Saratoga has varied over a period of times, with the race meetings being originally held for four days, the time period now has been extended to six weeks.
The Main dirt track of the Saratoga Race Course is 1 1/8 miles, or, 1 811 meters. The turf course has a distance of about 1 mile, or, 1 609 meters. The Turf track in honour of the Mellon Family is also known as the Mellon Turf Course. The third racing track
at Saratoga has a circumference of about 26 feet, or, 7.9 metres and its surface is turf.
The Saratoga race track is also home to Steeple chasing. Steeple chasing is contested on either of the two turf tracks. The Grade 1 races held at Saratoga include
Alabama Stakes, Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, Ballerina Handicap, Diana Handicap, Forego Handicap, Go For Wand Handicap, Hopeful Stakes, King's Bishop Stakes, Personal Ensign Stakes, Ruffian Handicap, Spinaway Stakes, Sword Dancer Handicap, Test Stakes,
Travers Stakes, Whitney Handicap, and, the Woodward Stakes.
The race track itself is small but it can have a convergence of about 50,000 race goers. The seating capacity of the race track is such that it can accommodate 18,000 people.
As racing is not limited to simple racing, it always goes hand in hand with small traditions and festivities, Saratoga Race Track is no different. It has a long tradition of having a turnout of people that are most elegantly dressed.
The display and properness of the attire is emphasized to the extent that men, who, appear at the races are advised to dress themselves in collared shirts, and, sport jackets, or, suits, the same is expected of women, who are suggested to appear in dresses,
skirts, or, pant suits.
Casual wear is not encouraged to be worn and the strictness is extended to the extent that people, who wear arrive at restaurants, and, club houses wearing casual dress are not permitted to enter them.
With the passage of time as technology has changed and modified everything, ATM machines have been installed at the Saratoga Race Course. Saratoga offers other facilities such as First Aid, Lost and Found, Race Replay Centres and Binocular Rentals.
These features make Saratoga Race Track stand as one of the most elegant race tracks in the United States, not only because of its class and serenity but also because of the beauty it has to offer both when it comes to racing and crowd turnout.
Tags: