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A fan's daily guide to the 2026 summer horse racing meet at Saratoga Race Course
Jockey Jose Ortiz doesn't let a heavy rain deter him from a broad smile after winning the 14th running of The Smart and Fancy listed stake on Zeitlos at the Saratoga Race Course on Friday Aug. 14, 2026 in Saratoga Springs. (Skip Dickstein)
Week 7 of the Saratoga Race Course's 2026 summer meet runs from Wednesday through Sunday.
This year's meet began on July 3 and concludes on Sept. 7. From start to finish, 45 days of racing will take place this summer at the Spa, not counting June's five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
This guide updates throughout the season with the latest basics and essentials for fans visiting the track.
Today's picks
Matt Donato (52-for-275, $316.00 through Friday) and Sam Hollingsworth (63-for-275, $415.10 through Friday) are the Times Union's horse racing handicappers.
NOTE:
These picks update each racing morning by 10 a.m.
Horses from various training stables out for their early morning exercise at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday July 23, 2026 in Saratoga Springs. (Skip Dickstein)
This week's stakes schedule
Wednesday, Aug. 12: The Michael G. Walsh Memorial Novice for $75,000, 2 3/8 on the Turf (Hurdles)
Thursday, Aug. 13: The 16th Birdstone for $200,000, 1 ¾ on the Dirt
Friday, Aug. 14: The 14th Smart and Fancy for $200,000, 5 ½ Furlongs on the Turf
Saturday, Aug. 15: The 52nd Christophe Clement Turf (BC) (G1) for $750,000, 1 ½ on the Turf
Saturday, Aug. 15: The 7th Galway for $200,000, 5 ½ Furlongs on the Turf
Sunday, Aug. 16: The 8th Mahony (G3) for $225,000, 5 1/2 Furlongs on the Turf
The Good Life, with jockey Manny Franco, heads to the win against a talented field in a Maiden Special Weight contest at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, July 18, 2026 in Saratoga Springs. (Skip Dickstein)
Jockey and trainer standings
Each summer, the races for the Saratoga riding and training titles are ones to watch. These standings, sorted by total first-place finishes, update each racing morning by 10 a.m.
Straw Hat Day at the Saratoga Race Course Sunday Aug.2, 2026 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Skip Dickstein)
Attendance and handle
A day-by-day breakdown of the meet's attendance and total handle.
Cash and protocols
Tickets may be purchased in advance . General admission tickets cost $7.
After some exceptions here and there during June's Belmont festival, traditional Saratoga rules apply all summer when it comes to coolers and what patrons can bring onto the grounds.
Throughout the meet, cash will not be accepted for food or beverage purchases, admission, parking or programs - with the exception of at the official Saratoga store. Customers with cash will be able to convert dollars into debit cards at reverse ATMs.
NYRA track veterinarian Belinda von Breiotenbach runs the the hoses of the sun-warmed water used to cool the horses after the racing during a very warm day on first day of the summer meet at the Saratoga Race Course on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Skip Dickstein)
Hours
Gates open at 11 a.m., unless otherwise noted.
For fans trying to claim a backyard picnic table or space, gates open at 7 a.m. for early entry. Fans must leave the grounds, though, after claiming their space.
Food
Times Union senior writer Steve Barnes has you covered - check out his guide to food and drink around Saratoga Springs.
Entertainment
In and around the track, there are plenty of things to do each day besides watching the racing in Saratoga Springs and the surrounding area.
Check out the Times Union's full guide to fun in the region, as well as places to shop in the area.
Interested in music? We've got you covered for the concert lineup , too.
There’s more to Albany with the Times Union. Subscribe today for just 25¢. This article originally published at A fan's daily guide to the 2026 summer horse racing meet at Saratoga Race Course .
Saratoga Race CourseSaratoga SpringsJockey Jose OrtizThe SmartFancyZeitlosFriday AugSkip DicksteinWeekSeptFrom
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