Saratoga businesses reflect on most ‘normal’ racing season since 2019

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Monday marked the last day of the 2022 Saratoga racing season.

The 40-day meet also meant a big economic boost for Saratoga Springs. The rainy weather didn’t seem to stop people from coming out to enjoy the last day. Lots of people were enjoying their Labor Day – eating, drinking, shopping, and spending the last few hours of the 2022 season at the racetrack.

It wasn’t just tourists coming downtown because of the track. A manager at a local retail store says she noticed a lot of locals out there, after two years of feeling cooped up.

A lot of the businesses say it was a busy season for them, especially because there were no COVID-19 restrictions. Everyone’s itching to get out.

NYRA reported opening weekend had over 100,000 people this year, about 10% more people than last season.

Monday marked the last day of the 2022 Saratoga racing season.

The Travers Stakes had its biggest attendance since 2015. The local shops say they needed this economic boost.