Courtesy NYRA
The New York Racing Association, Inc. announced that the 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course generated more than 1.1 million in paid attendance for the first time since 2018 and nearly $800 million in all-sources handle.
Despite one of the wettest summers in history, which forced an unprecedented 65 races off the turf, all-sources handle totaled $799 million with paid attendance continuing its steady climb to 1,105,683.
The handle was the third largest in Saratoga’s history while this summer also marked the eighth consecutive season with attendance exceeding 1 million fans, officials said.
“Thanks to the fans who visited Saratoga Race Course over these 40 days, and all those who watched and wagered from home, the popularity of the summer meet continues to exceed all expectations,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “The world-class racing held here each summer is made possible by the owners, trainers, jockeys and backstretch community who collectively dedicate so much to the horses and the sport.
“At the same time, the continued success of Saratoga depends upon our ability to continuously enhance equine safety through science and technology,” said O’Rourke. “In the coming months, NYRA will make significant investments in PET scan imaging to identify pre-existing injuries; finalize the path forward regarding the adoption of synthetic surfaces at each venue; and expand the use of biometric wearable devices. Horses, fans and the racing community deserve nothing less.”
Throughout the 2023 summer meet, Saratoga and the surrounding communities appeared on the national stage more prominently than ever before thanks to an unprecedented broadcast partnership with FOX Sports. FOX and NYRA debuted a new programming series called FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY which featured live national coverage for six consecutive Saturdays from Saratoga Race Course on FOX, beginning on July 22 and culminating with the Travers on Aug. 26.
Prior to the start of the season, the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency released the findings of an independently commissioned study which attributed $371 million in economic activity and more than 2,900 jobs to the annual Saratoga summer meet. The report found that the overall economic impact generated by Saratoga Race Course has increased by 57 percent since the previous study conducted in 2014.
Klaravich Stables was the meet’s leading owner. Chad Brown and Linda Rice shared the H. Allen Jerkens training title; and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. captured the Angel Cordero, Jr. riding title.
Trainer Jena Antonucci made history as only the second woman to train a Travers champion when Arcangelo captured the 154th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers. Earlier this spring, Antonucci entered the record books as the first female conditioner to win a Triple Crown race with Arcangelo in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes. Hall of Fame Jockey Javier Castellano added a seventh Travers to his growing collection of victories in Saratoga’s most celebrated race.
NYRA celebrated the opening of the new Saratoga Backstretch Clinic in collaboration with Saratoga Hospital and BEST to expand on the existing healthcare services offered to members of NYRA’s backstretch community. Funded by John Hendrickson as a tribute to his late wife, Marylou Whitney, the backstretch clinic replaced a temporary structure that previously housed on-site healthcare services at Saratoga Race Course.
Two of Saratoga’s most popular concessions, The Finish Line Grill and Modelo Finish Line Bar, received significant renovations and enhancements as NYRA continued to reinvest in the venue with a series of upgrades to improve guest amenities.
Saratoga marked the 10-year anniversary of New York State’s celebrated Taste NY program with an expanded menu of New York craft beer, hard cider, wine, spirits, cheese, chocolate and gelato from Long Island to the Adirondacks and the Capital Region to Western New York, as a showcase of the state’s robust food and beverage industry.
For additional information, visit NYRA.com.