FIRST ON 13: Special racing dates added at Saratoga Race Course
There will be nine additional days of racing at Saratoga Race Course in 2025.
NewsChannel 13’s Mark Mulholland has confirmed that the New York State Gaming Commission has approved NYRA’s plans for an extended five-day Belmont at Saratoga Racing Festival beginning Wednesday, June 4 and ending Sunday, June 8. The Belmont Stakes will be run Saturday, June 7.
Also, for the first time, NYRA will host a special Fourth of July Racing Festival at Saratoga – four days of racing beginning Thursday, July 3 and ending Sunday, July 6.
NYRA is not commenting. However, Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, said that the organization is excited to host the Belmont Stakes Festival once again.
“We are making plans for a second Belmont on Broadway to kick off this historic festival,” he said.
The chamber also annually organizes the July Fourth All- American Celebration, featuring a road race, bands, and fireworks.
“The chance to combine that celebration with the best horse racing in the world is a real opportunity for our community to create another you must-be-here weekend in Saratoga,” he said.
NYRA has made clear for months that the Fourth of July Festival would be a one-off event because it happens to work with the early start to the traditional Saratoga meet, which begins July 10 this year and ends Sept. 1. Racing will be held Wednesday through Sunday, except for Sept. 1, which is a Monday.
The extra days of racing at Saratoga – both the Belmont and Fourth of July festivals – are because of the redevelopment of Belmont Park on Long Island. The $455 million project will create four new tracks and combine Belmont and Aqueduct when it opens in fall of 2026.