Saratoga: Handle up on opening weekend; CAW play plummets

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – All-sources handle from Saratoga’s opening weekend was $69,896,899, a 1.7 percent increase over the $68,709,600 handled during the corresponding three-day period (July 4-6) last year, according to figures provided by the New York Racing Association.

Last year, NYRA billed this weekend as the Fourth of July Racing Festival – separate from the traditional Saratoga summer meet – and raced four days July 3-6. This year, the Saratoga meet is deemed to be 46 days.

Handle from computer assisted wagering (CAW) players was $9,239,447, down $6,169,314, or 40 percent, compared to last year during the three-day holiday weekend.

Paid attendance for the three days was 43,446, a 6.3 percent increase over the 40,880 paid attendance over the corresponding three days in 2025.

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