Horse racing fans soak in additional Saratoga Race Course days as Belmont Festival begins

Saratoga Springs — More than 20,000 people attended the first day of the Belmont Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday, setting the table for Saturday’s first-ever Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Thursday’s crowd resembled a Summer weekday at Saratoga Race Course, but there was a mix of the Saratoga summer meet regulars, and the Belmont Park Belmont Stakes regulars from all over the world.

Fans relished the opportunity for more racing at the world-renowned venue, wishing more days were always part of the equation during the summer in Saratoga. But, NYRA officials say right now, 40 days is their perfect equation.

“At this point, 40 days , 5-days a week, seems to be a sweet spot for NYRA and more importantly the community who so enthusiastically supports horse racing,” Patrick McKenna, NYRA Vice President for Communications, says. “The 40-day meet running at 5-day weeks has proven to be really successful by any measure.”