When the starting gate unlocks for most talented 3-year-olds on June 7th, all eyes will be held on the Saratoga race course to host the second year Belmont Stakes. Surrounded by the foothills of the Adirondacks, the historic gem will once again hit Belmont Park with ongoing renovations.
Don’t make a mistake – Saratoga may be much smaller in size compared to the area surrounding Elmont, New York, but there is a laundry list of things to do and a place you don’t want to miss.
Many fans live for the thrill of cashing out bets in the summer afternoon heat of Saratoga, but there’s something special about watching a horse stretch his legs in the morning. The calm sunrise boasts a peaceful environment where the only sound that breaks silence is the sound of the horse’s breathing and the camera shutters.
It’s not uncommon to see fans come out in the morning with coffee or breakfast sandwiches. After all, to get faster, you can encourage caffeine. The most popular places in all of the above include trackside grills, stewart shops and rare grounds. The latter iconic giant bagel is a local favorite.
Upstate New York doesn’t immediately compete for the nickname “Thousand Lakes Land” in Finland, but the area has many fascinating freshwater lakes that are most attracting attention from Lake Saratoga and Lake George.
Lake Saratoga is located east of the racecourse and has many lakeside food and drink facilities. Some of the top grabs include Druthers’ Lagos (formerly 550 Waterfront), Doc Brown’s and Carson’s Woodside Tavern. Given how crowded Saratoga’s downtown is after the race, getting out of the madness for a few hours at dinner is a solid weekend bet.
Trek about 30 minutes north of Saratoga to visit Lake George, lovingly known as the “Queen of the American Lakes.” If you look at just a handful of cars taking northbound cars on the I-87 using the very familiar decals of the 32-mile-long lake, you’ll see that you’re going the right way. Honestly, you can turn it into a game of the number of Lake George stickers you see.
The village of Lake George sits at the southern tip of the lake. Many of their attractions cater to families, so this is a great place to take the kids with them a day in the race. A tourist’s favorite nightlife attraction is taking part in an evening cruise with Lake George Steamboat Company.
Now that we’ve covered everything you need to do outside the race, let’s talk about what you need to check out on race day.
This may be controversial, but it is a ritual of passing – a big red spring. Recent social media trends have sparked Saratoga’s waters to a new level of international attention. However, the iconic cobalt blue glass bottle contains water that doesn’t taste like water from the city’s springs. Fans can try water from Big Red Springs, but given the sulfur scent, you might only get one or two.
Some of the best handicaps can be done without looking at the race form. Instead, find a place somewhere around the paddock and east feast on some of the most highly regarded racehorses in their training. When you bet on a pony, trust your gut. You might get rewarded by the window.
Finally, one of the most thrilling places to watch the race is under the clubhouse outside the gym dandiber. I know what you’re thinking. “But you can’t even see the track from there!” That’s true. However, the atmosphere is electricity. Watching the race in real time on a mounted television and listening to the booming roars of fans is a heart-warming exhilarating feeling of enthralling the racetrack for a lifetime. Several trainers have also seen the race from this location, including the late Christoph Clement.
Whether you’re a lifelong race fan or not used to horse racing, Saratoga during the Belmont Stakes offers the perfect blend of small town charm and world-class racing. Everything Saratoga has to offer should not be surprised if you already plan a return before the final race becomes official.
