Saratoga Race Course opened in 1863 and is widely considered the oldest major sporting venue in the United States. It has been able to keep its “old school” charm after all these years. One of the most famous sportswriters of his time, Red Smith, when asked about how to get to Saratoga, stated “From New York City you drive north about 175 miles, turn left onto Union Avenue, and go back 100 years.”
While there have been many upgrades and expansions to the track, mainly catering to the more wealthy clientele, Saratoga still has that “every man’s” feel. For $10, you can bring in chairs, a cooler full of food and booze (no glass), and the hope to hit it big. Its beauty lies in its simplicity. When you’re there, you can’t help but feel like you’re attending something special. There are the famous water springs, after which the city is named, littered around the property. The large, all-wood, main building towers over the backyard where people sit in lawn chairs or picnic tables watching one of the many televisions. The Spa hits all of the senses. The smell of freshly cooked food resonated from the many food trucks and restaurants. The pungent odor of horse shit, it isn’t that bad. The sounds of the bells counting down to post time. The bugle notifies the people that the horses are entering the track. The horses neighing or the clacking of their shoes walking down the path. And, most importantly, the gamblers yelling and pleading for their horse to win.
The place is a gem.
Congratulations Saratoga, you’ve definitely earned it. Here’s to hoping that next year we will see the opportunity for a Triple Crown champion!
