Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack
On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Horses getting their post workout “cool down” at the barn. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Fans arrive early for Breakfast at the track to watch the morning workouts. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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A horse preparing to work on the main track. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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A pair working down the backstretch. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Racing fans happy the new season's begun. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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The first horse of the season entering the Paddock. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Outrider ponies waiting for the horses to come to the main track. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Horses in the gate of the 1st race. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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And they’re off and running! The 2019 season is underway. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Horses racing past the Grandstand for the first time in the season. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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More scenes from Race 1. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Armament, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard, wins the first race of the 2019 season. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Fans young and old line the Winner's Circle. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Fans toasting the new season with Saratoga Water...of course! (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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The Paddock and its statue of Sea Hero. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Hat vendors with plenty of proper track attire for sale. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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The Starting Gate being transported to the proper race distance. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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The Starting Gate, ready for horses. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Fantasy football fans can now host their live drafts at the 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Horses racing around the turn and into the backstretch. (Billy Francis LeRoux)

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From Opening Day At Saratoga’s Historic Racetrack

On July 11, Saratoga's historic racetrack opened up its gates for the summer. Here's what it looked like inside.

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Down the backstretch they come! (Billy Francis LeRoux)

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.

Will Levith

Will Levith is Editorial Director at Saratoga Living and Capital Region Living magazine. He's a native Saratogian and graduate of Saratoga Springs High School. His work has been published by Esquire, Playboy, Condé Nast Traveler, Men's Health, RealClearLife and many others. He lives in Troy with his wife, Laura, and dog, Esopus.