One of the oldest and most historic horse racing tracks in the United States is back again for another classic summer meet. The 2023 Saratoga summer season kicked off Thursday, July 13, and is set to extend all the way through Labor Day on September 4. For the next eight weeks, Saratoga Race Course will be putting forth a packed racing schedule featuring multiple events every single week, every Wednesday through Sunday. From the much-anticipated Travers Stakes to the Coaching Club American Oaks, there certainly won’t be a shortage of action taking place at Saratoga Race Course over the next month and a half.
Follow along with the rest of this page for all of the details regarding this year’s festivities at the Spa, including key races, Saratoga best bets, how to place a wager, exclusive horse betting bonus offers, and plenty more!
Saratoga Betting Sites
$20 No Sweat Bet
TwinSpires (Horse)
DRF Bets (Horse)
FanDuel Racing
AmWager
Saratoga Betting Information
If you’re interested in placing some wagers on this year’s Saratoga summer meet, there’s a few small details you’re probably going to want to know. We’ve got them all covered, right here.
When does the 2023 Saratoga summer meet take place?
The 2023 Saratoga summer met is scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 13 and will run until Labor Day on Monday, September 4. Gates open at 11:00 am and the first post is typically scheduled for 1:05 pm on each race day.
Where is the Saratoga summer meet?
The Saratoga summer meet is annually held at the famous Saratoga Race Course located at 267 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York. Owned by New York state and operated by the New York Racing Association, the historical venue debuted in 1863 and remains the fourth oldest horse track in the United States.
Where can I watch the Saratoga summer meet?
In-depth coverage of the meet courtesy of NYRA and FOX Sports will be available on each race day via FOX Sports. Most of the coverage will air on FS2, with FS1 taking over for select weekend events. Regional coverage in the tristate area will be available on SNY.
What kind of races take place at Saratoga?
The Saratoga summer meet is loaded with top-tier competition running in a variety of stakes races, which are considered to be the highest level event in the sport. Each ranging from Grade I to Grade III, Saratoga is set to host 77 total races throughout the upcoming summer session. We’ll detail the full schedule down below.
What are some of the key races scheduled for Saratoga?
The 154th rendition of the Travers Stakes is by far the biggest event of the summer at Saratoga and will take place on Saturday, August 26. Gates open earlier than usual on Travers Day, with guests allowed in as early as 7:00 am. Furthermore, first post is set for 11:35 am.
Aside from the Mid-Summer Derby, the Whitney Stakes is another big-time event scheduled for this summer at Saratoga. This year’s Whitney Stakes carries a $1 million purse and the winning horse will automatically qualify for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Whitney Day is set for Saturday, August 5, and will headline Week 4 of the Saratoga summer meet.
The Alabama Stakes will also take place at the meet. This historic one and one-quarter mile long dirt race debuted in 1872 and is known as the third leg of the ‘American Triple Tiara’ along with the Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks. Alabama Day is penciled in for August 19 during Week 6.
2023 Saratoga Summer Race Schedule
On top some of the bigger events mentioned above, Saratoga Race Course has an absolutely stacked summer schedule on tap for horse bettors and enthusiasts alike. The 2o23 Saratoga summer meet will run for eight weeks starting on July 13 and ending on Labor Day, September 4. The meet will feature a full slate of races every single Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, aside from Week 1 which begins on a Thursday. There will be no live races on any Monday or Tuesday.
Below is a detailed look at the entire Saratoga summer meet schedule, courtesy of the New York Racing Association:
Week 1
- Thursday, July 13 – GIII Schuylerville and Wilton
- Friday, July 14 – GIII Forbidden Apple and Coronation Cup
- Saturday, July 15 – GI Diana and GIII Sanford
- Sunday, July 16 – GIII Quick Call
- Monday, July 17 – Dark, no live races
- Tuesday, July 18 – Dark, no live races
Week 2
- Wednesday, July 19 – GI A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Steeplechase) and Suzie O’Cain (NYB)
- Thursday, July 20 – Rick Violette (NYB)
- Friday, July 21 – GIII Lake George
- Saturday, July 22 – GIII Caress and GI Coaching Club American Oaks
- Sunday, July 23 – GII Shuvee
- Monday, July 24 – Dark, no live races
- Tuesday, July 25 – Dark, no live races
Week 3
- Wednesday, July 26 – GII Honorable Miss Handicap
- Thursday, July 27 – Birdstone
- Friday, July 28 – Curlin (R)
- Saturday, July 29 – GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and GII Jim Dandy
- Sunday, July 30 – GII Amsterdam and GII Bowling Green
- Monday, July 31 – Dark, no live races
- Tuesday, August 1 – Dark, no live races
Week 4
- Wednesday, August 2 – Shine Again (R)
- Thursday, August 3 – Alydar and (R)
- Friday, August 4 – GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and GIII Troy Stakes
- Saturday, August 5 – Whitney Day – Fasig Tipton Lure (R), GII Glens Falls, GI Longines Test, GI Whitney (BC), and GI Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational
- Sunday, August 6 – GIII Adirondack, Fasig Tipton De La Rose (R) and GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational
- Monday, August 7 – Dark, no live races
- Tuesday, August 8 – Dark, no live races
Week 5
- Wednesday, August 9 – Tale of the Cat (R)
- Thursday, August 10 – Galway
- Friday, August 11 – Evan Shipman Handicap (NYB), John Morrissey Handicap (NYB), Johnstone Mile (NYB), and Union Avenue Handicap (NYB)
- Saturday, August 12 – GI Fourstardave Handicap (BC) and GII Saratoga Special
- Sunday, August 13 – Mahony
- Monday, August 14 – Dark, no live races
- Tuesday, August 15 – Dark, no live races
Week 6
- Wednesday, August 16 – GI Jonathan Sheppard and NYSSS Cab Calloway Division (R)
- Thursday, August 17 – NYSSS Statue of Liberty Division (R)
- Friday, August 18 – Skidmore and Summer Colony (R)
- Saturday, August 19 – Alabama Day – GI Alabama, GII Lake Placid, and Smart N Fancy
- Sunday, August 20 – Bolton Landing
- Monday, August 21 – Dark, no live races
- Tuesday, August 22 – Dark, no live races
Week 7
- Wednesday, August 23 – John’s Call (R)
- Thursday, August 24 – Riskaverse (R)
- Friday, August 25 – Albany (NYB), Fleet Indian (NYB), Funny Cide (NYB), Seeking the Ante (NYB), West Point Handicap (NYB), and Yaddo Handicap (NYB)
- Saturday, August 26 – Travers Day – GII Ballston Spa, GI Forego, GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, GI Personal Ensign, GI Sword Dancer, and GI Travers
- Sunday, August 27 – GI Ballerina and Better Talk Now (R)
- Monday, August 28 – Dark, no live races
- Tuesday, August 29 – Dark, no live races
Week 8
- Wednesday, August 30 – GIII With Anticipation
- Thursday, August 31 – P.G. Johnson
- Friday, September 1 – Lucky Coin and GII Prioress
- Saturday, September 2 – GII Flower Bowl (BC), GI Jockey Club Gold Cup (BC), and GIII Saranac
- Sunday, September 3 – GI Spinaway
- Monday, September 4 – GIII Bernard Baruch Handicap and GI Hopeful
Travers Stakes
As briefly highlighted above, the Travers Stakes is by far the most notable event which takes place at Saratoga Race Course every summer. The race has been held nearly every year since its inception in 1864 (aside from 1896, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1911, and 1912) and is considered the oldest stakes race involving three-year-old horses in the sport. The iconic event was named after former Saratoga Racing Association president William R. Travers, whose horse named Kentucky took first place in the first annual running of the race.
This year’s rendition of the Mid-Summer Derby is scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 26 during Week 7 of the Saratoga summer meet, headlining a stacked card of races. Joining the main event on Saratoga’s famous “Travers Day” is none other than the (GII) Ballston Spa, (GI) Forego, (GI) H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, (GI) Personal Ensign, and the (GI) Sword Dancer. Gates open much earlier than usual on Travers Day, so any spectators can get in as early at 7:00 am. Alternatively, first post is set for 11:35 am rather than its usual start time of 1:05 pm on regular race days.
Saratoga Odds
While horse betting odds for most of the bigger events taking place at the 2023 Saratoga summer meet have yet to be released, stay tuned and check back in often for any updates. As the Whitney Stakes and Travers Stakes move closer, we’ll be sure to provide you with up-to-the-minute odds along with a full list of horses competing in the field, their trainers, and their jockeys. Stick with USBets for your Saratoga daily odds as the horse racing event of the summer starts to rev up!
Saratoga Horse Betting Operators
Once you’ve got the entire summer schedule at Saratoga down pat, it’s time to think about slapping down some wagers! Players will have the opportunity to bet on each and every race listed above, from just about anywhere in the United States!
Depending on where you reside will ultimately dictate your available horse betting options, however most states that have legalized will offer at least a few different operators. Generally speaking, the six most popular platforms in the nation include TwinSpires and TVG – one of which is most likely available in your state – along with 4NJBets, NYRA Bets, AmWager, and The Daily Racing Form (DRF). Down below, we’ll detail which states have access to which platforms, but for now, let’s get into some of the best bonus offers currently on the table ahead of this year’s Saratoga summer meet.
Saratoga Best Offers Explained
Each of the six horse betting operators mentioned above, aside from NYRA Bets, is offering all new, first-time users the chance to cash in on a lucrative welcome bonus when they sign up for an account with the platform. Each promotional offering varies when it comes to terms and conditions, so we did our best to lay everything out for you.
| Horse Racing Apps | Sign Up Offer |
|---|---|
TwinSpires 4.8 Stars / 66.1K Ratings 4.6 Stars / 550 Ratings | $200 Sign Up Offer |
| DRF Bets 4.7 Stars / 3.7K Ratings 4.4 Stars / 386 Ratings | $200 Deposit Match |
| FanDuel Racing 4.6 Stars / 1.2K Ratings Not in play store | $20 No Sweat Bet |
| AmWager Not in app store Not in play store | 100% First Deposit Match up to $150 |
TVG & 4NJBets
Both TVG and 4NJBets offer the exact same product, aside from the fact that 4NJBets is specifically branded for players located in New Jersey. If you reside in the Garden State, you’ll have no choice but to give your horse betting action to 4NJBets. But don’t sweat it, because both TVG and 4NJBets offer their users one of the strongest welcome bonuses in the game – up to $200 back if your first bet loses!
Taking advantage of this offer is extremely simple. In order to get started, players will need to register for a brand new account with TVG or 4NJBets using any of the links on this page, make a deposit, and then place a qualifying initial ‘win’ wager. If your selection comes up short, both TVG and 4NJBets will cover 100% of your losses, up to $200! Once your bet has settled and 24 hours have passed, TVG and 4NJBets will load up any eligible accounts with a wagering credit equal to the lost stake. All wagering credits must be played at least once before they can be withdrawn and are set to expire if they remain unused after thirty (30) days.
TwinSpires
Also available in a multitude of states across the nation is none other than TwinSpires, the official online horse betting partner of the Kentucky Derby. Having ties to the biggest event in the sport definitely pays off, as TwinSpires is currently offering one of the best new-user bonuses we’ve ever seen! All first-time users that sign up for a new TwinSpires account using any of the links on this page will have thirty (30) days to wager at least $1,600 in order to unlock an additional $400 in bonus funds!
For every $400 wagered on horse racing during the promotional period, eligible users will unlock $100 in bonus funds, win or lose! Players can repeat this process up to four times, totaling $400 in potential bonus cash. Once the promotional period ends, or the player successfully clears the $1,600 wagering requirement, any bonus cash earned will be added to their account within ten (10) days. After receiving their bonus cash, players will have thirty (30) days to use the funds before they expire – don’t miss out!
DRF Bets
The Daily Racing Form’s digital horse wagering platform, DRF Bets, brings to the table yet another juicy bonus offer. For a limited time, all new users that register for an account with DRF Bets will be eligible for a 100% first deposit match of $200! That’s right – simply sign up, make a first-time deposit of exactly $200, and DRF Bets will instantly double your bankroll to a whopping $400 right out of the gate!
In order to qualify, all players are required to make their first deposit of exactly $200 within 14 days of account creation or the promotion will expire. Furthermore, players must also wager their promotional bonus within 14 days of issuance or that too will expire. In order to extract any funds, players will need to wager the full $400 at least once.
But wait, there’s more! DRF Bets is sweetening the pot with an extra add-on: after placing your first successful live wager, DRF Bets will load up your account with ten past performance credits. These credits can be used to view the DRF Formulator or DRF Classic past performances. And for every $50 wagered after opting into the promotion, players can earn an additional card! All in all, it’s an absolutely loaded welcome package and we recommend taking advantage!
AmWager
While only available via its website, AmWager presents a strong bonus offer for all new users that decide to register for a brand new account with the platform. AmWager’s welcome bonus consists of a 100% first deposit match worth up to $300!
In order to claim this promotional offering, new users can hit any of the links on this page and complete the registration process on AmWager’s website. From there, players will have the opportunity to deposit up to $300 and place at least $300 in qualifying wagers within thirty (30) days of sign-up to to receive their 100% match. If and when the wagering requirement is met, AmWager will fund your account with an additional $300 in bonus funds within seven (7) business days. All bonus funds must be wagered at least one time through before they can be withdrawn and will expire after thirty (30) days, so don’t forget!
How to bet on the Saratoga summer meet
Once you’ve narrowed down which operator you’d like to use, it’s time to figure out whether or not that platform is available in your state. There are currently 41 different states with access to legal online horse betting, most of which will have TVG and/or TwinSpires available to use. For a full list of which platforms are accepting action in your state, refer to the detailed breakdown below.
States with legal Saratoga betting
- Alabama – TwinSpires, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Arizona – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets
- Arkansas – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- California – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Colorado – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Connecticut – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Delaware – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Florida – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Idaho – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets
- Illinois – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Indiana – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Iowa – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets
- Kansas – TwinSpires, AmWager, DRF Bets
- Kentucky – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Louisiana – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Maine – Residents of Maine are restricted to using HollywoodRaces.com
- Maryland – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Massachusetts – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Michigan – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Minnesota – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Montana – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Nebraska – TwinSpires, AmWager, DRF Bets
- Nevada – Residents of Nevada are restricted to using apps and websites provided by the state’s casinos
- New Hampshire – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- New Jersey – Residents of New Jersey are restricted to using 4NJBets, an extension of TVG and the only platform available in the state
- New Mexico – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets
- New York – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- North Dakota – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Ohio – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Oklahoma – TwinSpires, AmWager, DRF Bets
- Oregon – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Pennsylvania – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Rhode Island – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- South Dakota – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Tennessee – TwinSpires, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Vermont – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Virginia – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Washington – TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- West Virginia – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Wisconsin – TwinSpires, AmWager, DRF Bets, NYRA Bets
- Wyoming – TwinSpires, TVG, AmWager, DRF Bets
Don’t see your state listed? No biggie! This likely means that your state does not have legal access to online horse betting:
- Mississippi and Texas: Bettors located in either MS or TX will be restricted to placing any legal horse wagers in-person at any retail facility in the state. For now, online horse wagering remains illegal across both states.
- Missouri: Bettors based in Missouri can place legal horse wagers in-person only as well, however they must take place at a racetrack (the state currently has none).
- Alaska, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Utah: Unfortunately for residents of these states, all forms of horse betting remain illegal.
Saratoga summer meet 2022 results
The 2022 Saratoga summer meet was a massive success, featuring a live crowd for the second time since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020. As a result of the virus, the 2020 summer meet was held without any spectators. This delivered a considerable blow to the city of Saratoga Springs, as many local businesses rely on foot track from the event to stay afloat.
Luckily for citizens of Saratoga Springs, then-Governor Andrew Cuomo called for the immediate removal of all COVID-19 protocols and restrictions for most activities in New York state on June 15, 2021. Just one day later, Saratoga Race Course officially announced that it would be hosting a full capacity crowd of nearly 50,000 guests for the first time in two years.
Saratoga returns after COVID
As far as the actual races go, Saratoga did not disappoint. The Travers Stakes, the biggest and most notable event of the summer meet, featured the great Epicenter, who took home the victory. The win not only secured a $1,250,000 first place purse for Epicenter and his team, but also marked the horse’s sixth first place finish. About three months prior, Epicenter also took home second place at the Kentucky Derby. Quite the few month stretch for the young colt.
The Whitney Stakes, another wildly popular Grade I stakes race that annually takes place at Saratoga, was won by Life is Good. It was the horse’s seventh career win in just nine starts.
As briefly mentioned above, the Alabama Stakes is another big event which occurs at Saratoga Race Course every summer. While it’s not quite as big of a deal as the traditional Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes) may be, the Alabama Stakes is one of three races that makes up the American Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing. The three races involved are strictly held between three-year-old fillies, offering an alternate version of the famous honor specifically for female race horses. Both the Alabama Stakes and the Coaching Club American Oaks are held at Saratoga Race Course each year, while the third leg of the Triple Tiara, the Acorn Stakes, is annually held at Belmont Park.
History of Saratoga Race Course
Originally opened in 1863, Saratoga Race Course is the fourth oldest horse racing track in the United States. Prior to the historic venue’s inception, the city of Saratoga Springs was used as the site for various county fair events, some of which involved the trials of speed and exhibition of horses. In 1847, a pair of local entrepreneurs named George Cole and Alfonso Patten opened the Saratoga Trotting Course in anticipation of the New York State Fair coming to town in September. The course hosted its first harness race on August 14, 1847.
From that point until 1863, racing in Saratoga would struggle to find any consistency. Some smaller courses came and went, but the Saratoga Trotting Course stood strong. Then along came John Morrissey, a casino operator who would organize the first thoroughbred race card to take place at the Saratoga Trotting Course, which ended up a huge success. A crowd of more than 3,000 spectators attended opening day, while more than 15,000 total guests attended the four days of racing. Shortly after the meet came to a close, Morrissey went ahead and purchased 94 acres of land right across the street from the course. Along with the help of fellow horse racing pioneers John Hunter, William R. Travers, and Leonard Jerome, Morrissey built a new grandstand on his newly acquired property and coined the track Saratoga Race Course.
Saratoga Race Course officially opened for the first time on August 2, 1864, featuring the inaugural running of the iconic Travers Stakes. The track has now been used nearly every year since its inception, save for a few minor exceptions. Saratoga Race Course was temporarily closed in 1896 as a result of increasing competition in the field and financial issues. The infamous anti-gambling laws of 1911 and 1912 in New York resulted in another shutdown less than 20 years later. Between 1943 and 1945, World War II travel restrictions forced Saratoga’s stakes races to be held at Belmont Park instead.
The venue has also shown tremendous growth over the years. In 1940, Saratoga Race Course’s first parimutuel betting machines were installed at its facilities. In the 1960’s, the track’s grandstand was upgraded to offer twice as many available seats. In 1999, Sports Illustrated ranked Saratoga Race Course as the #10 sports venue of the 20th century, an incredible honor that highlighted the progress made by the historic site since its opening.
Saratoga betting FAQ
The 2023 Saratoga summer meet is set to begin on Thursday, July 13 and will run through Labor Day on September 4.
Yes, of course you can! Action on any of the races taking place at Saratoga Race Course this summer will be available on a variety of horse betting platforms, including TwinSpires, TVG, DRF Bets, and more.
Legal online horse betting, including wagers on the Saratoga summer meet, is currently available in the following states:
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, & WY.
In most states the legal horse betting age is 18 years or older. In some states, however, the requirement is set a bit higher at 21. Generally speaking, all persons 21+ will be eligible to bet on Saratoga.
Yes, they do! All new, first time users that sign up for an account using any of the links we’ve got posted on this page can claim a juicy welcome bonus package from any of the top racebooks in the country. This includes TVG, 4NJBets, TwinSpires, DRF Bets, and AmWager. Click on the racebook links in the table above to get started.
