Saratoga 2020
 

I was thinking of going even though you can't see the races live. Just love being there. Questions:
1. Will there be places to see the races?
2. I was checking the hotel prices and they are their normal Toga high. Do they expect a full crowd?
3. Could there be live racing by then?

Spyder

Seems too early to know the answer to any of your questions, with the exception of #3. There is live racing now in NY. NYRA has indicated they’d like to run at Saratoga.

My guess is they will. What it will look like is anyone’s guess though.

Contest ?

All good questions.

As far as the rates, I imagine they figure if they will have a fan meet or not. If things don't go well, rates won't matter unless at the end, such as if they do a limited attendance. An empty $400 room will still be empty at $39.

I read an article somewhere where a Saratoga Real Estate person said the phone hasn't rung since March.

Another thing is if the bars are open. And restaurants. However they are peripheral to the track. Everything centers around that track. Maybe some will come for the bars and restaurants, but likely they will be heavily constricted and not be the places they were.

Yes, there will be live and simulcast racing there. NYRA has been pretty consistent in their desire to run there, even without fans. All the ADW's.

What we get is anyone's guess. However I'm more optimistic towards some forward movements. Not maybe the old Saratoga, but maybe not as bad as we feared.

I am hopeful this is a 1 year deal.

Agreed, I think they will race at Saratoga and you will probably see owners allowed to enter on race day but that will be about it. Florida and Kentucky are moving forward with owners +1 type of deal on race day Maybe they can allow 25% capacity the last few weeks but that may be just asking too much. Is it really worth it?


Personally, I am happy they are racing but will probably just watch on Fox the entire meet regardless of what number of patrons they eventually settle on. Better than it looked a 6-8 weeks ago

While NYRA has not yet announced the full stakes schedule for Saratoga 2020, the last Belmont condition book does provide information as to stakes to be contested the first two weeks:

Opening Day will have the Schuylerville and Peter Pan.

First Saturday to be highlighted by the CCA Oaks (very surprised to see $500,000 purse), National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, and Sanford.

Second Saturday will see them run the Vanderbilt, Ballston Spa, Bernard Baruch.