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

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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.

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