Minor clubhouse kitchen fire at Saratoga quickly extinguished

A small fire in a kitchen area of the clubhouse at Saratoga Race Course on Tuesday caused minor damage, but it should have no impact on the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival scheduled for June 4-8, a New York Racing Association spokesman said.

According to NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna, firefighters from the Saratoga Springs and Malta Ridge Fire departments responded to the fire at approximately 12:45 p.m. Tuesday.

“Upon arrival, firefighters witnessed smoke emanating from the third floor clubhouse windows,” McKenna wrote in an e-mail. “The fire was quickly extinguished and caused minimal damage, which will have no impact on track operations for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival next week.

“NYRA thanks Saratoga Springs and Malta Ridge Fire Departments for their quick and professional response,” McKenna added. “City and state fire officials are currently investigating the cause.”

Saratoga is currently open for training on both the main and Oklahoma tracks. One week of racing is scheduled for June 4-8 with the $2 million Belmont Stakes scheduled for Saturday, June 7. There will another week of racing July 3-6 at Saratoga before the regular 40-day meet commences on July 10.

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