Horses getting their post workout “cool down” at the barn. (Billy Francis LeRoux)
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Fans arrive early for Breakfast at the track to watch the morning workouts. (Billy Francis LeRoux)
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Outrider ponies waiting for the horses to come to the main track. (Billy Francis LeRoux)
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Horses racing past the Grandstand for the first time in the season. (Billy Francis LeRoux)
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Armament, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard, wins the first race of the 2019 season. (Billy Francis LeRoux)
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Fans toasting the new season with Saratoga Water...of course! (Billy Francis LeRoux)
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The Starting Gate being transported to the proper race distance. (Billy Francis LeRoux)
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Fantasy football fans can now host their live drafts at the 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course. (Billy Francis LeRoux)
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On Wednesday evening, if you happened to have been on Broadway in Saratoga Springs at, say, 10:30pm, you would’ve noticed a marked change in the energy in town. Whereas, the previous evening, it had been a bit calmer, not so on Wednesday evening. The city was abustle with all manner of well-dressed individuals strolling hither and yon, Caroline Street filled to the brim with revelers and that “calm before the storm” atmosphere everywhere. That’s because Saratoga Race Course was set to officially open the following morning.
If you were lucky enough to have been there on Opening Day, you would’ve been privy to the grand spectacle that has made this historic racetrack a one-of-a-kind experience for fans the world over for centuries. On the races front, the Opening Day card was highlighted by the Grade 3, $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes and Grade 3, $100,000 Quick Call Stakes. But, of course, besides all the races and horseplaying, there’s all that wonderful people-watching to do. saratoga living‘s staff photographer Billy Francis LeRoux was onsite for Opening Day and snapped a number of shots for us. Take a look by clicking on the above gallery.
