Fans return to stands at Saratoga Race Course

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Fans returned to the stands at Saratoga Race Course Thursday for the first time since 2019.

In fact, the official count was 27,760 fans.

The food and the fun, the wins and the wagering, the horses and the hats are all back.

A post-pandemic extra incentive for opening day this year was no cost admission to vaccinated New Yorkers.

NYRA President Dave O’Rourke is bullish on this horse racing season, especially if opening day is a predictor.

"We think we’re going to have healthy crowds, we should have healthy business, and we should support the community in terms of tourism," said O’Rourke.

Hear from some of the very excited fans by watching the video of Mark Mulholland’s story.