SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – At a time when most racetracks are contracting their racing schedule – either by force or design – Saratoga is about to conduct its longest race meet in 128 years.
The 142nd Saratoga season, which gets under way Friday with a 10-race card, will be 40 days long, equaling the number of dates run in 1882. After four consecutive cards through Monday, racing will be conducted on a six-day-a-week schedule (Tuesdays dark) through Labor Day, Sept. 6. This is the first expansion of the Saratoga meet since it went to 36 days from 34 in 1997.