Saratoga summer stakes schedule largely unchanged

With the exception of the shuffling of a few dates, the 2024 Saratoga stakes program will virtually mirror that of last year, according to the schedule released Friday afternoon by the New York Racing Association.

In total, 71 stakes worth $20.75 million will be offered during the 40-day meet that runs from July 11 through Sept. 2. The same number of stakes worth $20.8 million were offered in 2023. The Prioress, a six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, downgraded to a Grade 3, incurred a $50,000 cut to $200,000.

Seven races will be run on different days than in 2023, most notably the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, which will be held on Sunday, Sept. 1. The Gold Cup, which offers an automatic, fees-paid berth into the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, has typically been run on a Saturday. An opportunity for national television coverage is the reason for the change.

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The Gold Cup was part of a slight tweak to the closing weekend stakes. The Grade 1 Spinaway for 2-year-old fillies, typically run on Sunday, will now be held Saturday Aug. 31. The Bernard Baruch, typically run on closing day (Labor Day), has also been moved to Aug. 31 while the Harvey Pack has been moved to closing day.

The Lake George (July 20), Caress (July 25), and Birdstone (Aug. 4) were other races that were moved slightly on the calendar.

The Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers, for 3-year-olds, is one of five Grade 1 stakes to be held on Aug. 24. Also on that card are the Sword Dancer, Forego, H. Allen Jerkens, and Ballerina. In total, 19 Grade 1 flat stakes will be held in 2024.

The Grade 1, $1 million Whitney tops an Aug. 3 card that includes the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby, Grade 1 Test and the Grade 2 Troy, the latter having been upgraded from a Grade 3 in 2023.

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