SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The 2024 summer meet is underway at Saratoga Race Course. A month after an historic running of the Belmont Stakes, the regular 40-day season has returned.
Frank Mirahmadi sharing his excitement on his second opening day as Track Announcer at Saratoga, after calling the Belmont Stakes race in June.
"For me to have the privilege of having the best view in the house and the privilege of telling the story and celebrating the winners, it’s as good as it gets. I’m on cloud nine," Mirahmadi said.
June's festival was a welcome leg-up for the local economy while the Belmont Park undergoes renovations. Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce said the traditional summer meet still takes the cake when it comes to injecting money into area businesses.
“This means so much more to our economy. This is what we count on here at Saratoga to give us that extra economic boost," Shimkus said.
Thursday's big race was the Schuylerville Stakes, an opening day tradition.
“One of the great parts of Saratoga is coming out to see these two-year-old races, because you can see the stars of tomorrow, and the fillies who might be running in next year’s Kentucky Oaks,” said Matthew DeSantis, Content Producer with NYRA Bets.
Looking ahead to other highlights on the track calendar, Travers Day on August 24th is a major one.
"It’s a great day," Andy Serling, TV Analyst and NYRA Handicapper remarked, "but the reality is, at Saratoga, every single day is a great day."
If you want to learn more about the life of racehorses beyond the track, for the third season, NYRA is holding Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tours.
"These tours allow fans to see every aspect of the racing industry. We start with the breakfast buffet, followed by a visit to a breeding farm in the local area," said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, "and then end with an afternoon of racing.”
Perhaps you want to have your afternoon of racing with a beer in hand. Northway Brewing Co. has you covered. They've partnered with NYRA Bets to create a special label beer for the 2024 summer meet.
"Superfecta Summer Ale. You can only get it here at the track. It’s an easy-drinking, summer beer, with really nice appeal, kind of perfect for a hot day like this,” said Max Oswald, General Manager of Northway Brewing Co.
NYRA has a lineup of four giveaway days to get fans decked out in Saratoga Race Course gear. All premium giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last. The giveaways include a Saratoga Tumbler, a Saratoga Baseball Jersey presented by Rivers Casino, a Saratoga Trucker Hat, and a Saratoga Windbreaker presented by NYRA Bets.
