[boswd]

I like the Inn at Saratoga, across from the Holiday Inn as well.

Lot of fun great little traditions you'll notice at the Spa:

1. The Pink Sheet - It's really more of novelty now but it has many imitators from the Purple sheet to Blue sheet etc. But this is the original. It started back in the beginings of the meet in the late 1800's early 1900's. The woman who worked in shops and boutiques would put their picks for the days cards on the a "pink sheet" and have their advertisements on the back.
The tradition is kept alive by the local paper The Saratogian. It's a little cheesey but the Pink Sheet is as much part of the history and traditions at the Spa and no first time visit should be without one.

2. 17 mins before each Post you will hear a bell chime. This is another tradition still carried out today which means "RIDERS UP" This was used to alert jockey's and horseman to get to the paddock for Riders Up, since back in the day their was no cell phones etc

3. Ohhhhh The Big Red Spring, No first time visitor should go without a visit to the Big Red Spring for a sample of the naturally carbonated water. Hmmm sooo good. This natural phenomanon was one of the early attractions to Saratoga and helped it become one of the country's first true Resort towns.

4. though scratches are announced and are on monitors, You can still visit under the grandstand where they will still post the scratches for the day on a chalk board like they did many decades ago before technology.

I'm sure I'm missing some but If you are a horse racing fan beyond the gambling aspect, this will truely be a fantastic experience for you. The place is a living functional museum. From the Old wooden grandstand that was built in 1864 to the backyard picnic area and all the little shops and such that line up around the jockey's quarters to being able to bring in your own chairs,food, and of course BOOZE. There is really no place like Saratoga, well maybe Suffolk Downs LOL LOL but seriously you are going to be in HEAVEN.