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The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has announced that the Oklahoma Training Track in Saratoga Springs will open for the season soon. Licensed trainers and staff can begin using the barn area starting next Wednesday (April 15), with horses allowed on the track beginning Monday, April 20.
Fans can watch the training sessions from the Whitney Viewing Stand, which will be open from Wednesday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The stand offers a bird's-eye view of the horses' morning workouts and is accessible through Gate 21 on East Avenue. Admission is free. The Whitney Viewing Stand, dedicated to the Whitney family in 2013, combines the rich history of Saratoga with modern amenities.
The main track at Saratoga Race Course is set to open on May 11, just weeks before the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which begins on June 3. The festival will feature the 158th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6.
The Saratoga summer meet will open on July 3 and run through Labor Day, September 7, offering 20 Grade 1 races among 73 stakes with over $23.575 million in total purses.
For more information about the upcoming events, visit the NYRA's website.