Saratoga runs finale at wrong distance

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The 12th and final race at Saratoga on Saturday was conducted at the incorrect distance, but the race was made official before the error was realized, so it will have no impact on the mutuel payoffs.

The allowance race for New York-breds was scheduled to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the Mellon Turf Course. But the race was run at 1 1/16 miles due to the starting gate being placed in the wrong spot. The race was won by Fidelightcayut, who returned $10.80 to win.

When it was pointed out to the stewards that the race was run at the wrong distance, a reporter was initially told that it was run at the correct distance. Later, the stewards met with NYRA officials before it was confirmed that the race was run at the incorrect distance.

“NYRA is reviewing the circumstances around Race 12, which was contested at the incorrect distance of 1 1/16 miles rather than 1 1/8 miles,” Pat McKenna, a spokesman for NYRA said.

This is the third time in seven years that a race at a New York Racing Association track has been run at the incorrect distance.

On Aug. 8, 2018 at Saratoga, Somelikeithotbrown won a maiden race for 2-year-olds that was scheduled for 1 1/16 miles, but was run at 1 1/8 miles when the gate was put in the wrong spot. On May 27, 2024, a 2-year-old race at Aqueduct was run at five furlongs instead of its scheduled 5 1/2 furlongs due to a graphic error in the program.

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