Malta Development Blog

Since the early 19^th century, Saratoga Springs has been a leading health and gambling center.

This blog post is part of  our “Saratoga County NY Real Estate”  blog series. 

One the major contributors to this reputation is the famous Saratoga Race Track. First opened in 1863, the racetrack is considered the third oldest racetrack in the United States after Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack and Freehold Raceway.

The Saratoga Race Track is famous worldwide, but did you know these fun facts? 

• There are 3 separate tracks, 1 main dirt track, the Mellon Turf course named after the Mellon family, and 1 inner 7 furlongs turf track.
• It held its first race in 1847
• The current track has a capacity of 50,000 spectators
• It is the home of the Travers Stakes, the oldest major thoroughbred horse race in the United States
• The color of the Travers Stakes winner has been painted onto a canoe that floats in the infield pond for the duration for the duration of the racing season
• A bell is hand rung at exactly 17 minutes prior to the scheduled post time for each race

Famous Races to Take Place in on the Track:

• Man O’ War suffered his only defeat in 21 starts at Saratoga Race Course
• Secretariat was defeated by Onion in Saratoga after winning the Triple Crown
• Gallant Fox was beaten by the 100-1 long shot Jim Dandy in 1930