2025 July 4th Racing Festival Highlights
WHAT: July 4th Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course
WHEN: Thursday, July 3 – Sunday, July 6
THURSDAY, JULY 3
Dollar Dogs at The Spa:
Beginning on Thursday and continuing throughout the duration of the July 4th Racing Festival, Carnegie Deli hot dogs will be available for just $1 at concession stands throughout Saratoga Race Course where hot dogs are traditionally sold.
Admission Protocols and Post Time:
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 11-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m. The main track at Saratoga will be closed to the public for morning training during the July 4th Racing Festival and will re-open for Breakfast at Saratoga on Opening Day of the summer meet, Thursday, July 10.
Carry-in policies with personal coolers will align with the traditional Saratoga summer meet.
Cash will not be accepted for food and beverage purchases, admission, parking or programs (with the exception of the official Saratoga store) during the July 4th Racing Festival and 40-day Saratoga summer meet. Reverse ATMs, also known as cash-to-card kiosks, will be available at multiple locations throughout the venue.
America’s Day at the Races on FOX Sports:
FOX Sports is the television home of the July 4th Racing Festival, providing viewers across the country with wall-to-wall coverage and expansive on-site analysis of the four-day Festival from Saratoga Race Course. For the complete broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.
Victory Ride:
The festival begins with two stakes for sophomore fillies in the Grade 3, $175,000 Victory Ride and the $150,000 Wild Applause.
Saratoga 250, America's Turning Point Cannon:
A three-pound replica cannon will be prominently displayed near the paddock throughout the four-day festival. This exact working replica of a 1777 Saratoga Campaign cannon will be part of the 250th commemoration of the "Henry Knox Noble Train of Artillery."
Ogdensburg Free Academy Marching Band:
Ogdensburg Free Academy’s award-winning marching band from the North Country in Ogdensburg, NY, will perform trackside, featuring a flash back to the start of the British Invasion with homage to The Beatles. The performance will feature prominent Beatles selections, including “A Hard Day’s Night”; “Yesterday”; “When I’m 64”; and “Can’t Buy Me Love”.
Alcohol Beverage Samplings:
Fans can celebrate National Independent Beer Run Day by enjoying complimentary samples from Saratoga’s own Whitman Brewing Co. at the Walt Whitman portable just inside the main gate from noon until 4 p.m., while supplies last. Must be 21 or older with valid ID.
FRIDAY, JULY 4: Independence Day
Saratoga Sunglasses Giveaway
The first 15,000 fans through the gates will receive a complimentary pair of red Saratoga-branded sunglasses, featuring a mirror shield and the Saratoga Race Course logo.
Free Admission for First Responders, Veterans and Military members:
All first responders, active military and veterans will receive free admission with valid ID.
Admission Gates and Post Time:
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 11-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.
Belmont Derby on FOX:
Independence Day on Friday, July 4 will feature special holiday programming airing live on FOX from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. highlighted by the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational.
Belmont Derby Invitational:
Independence Day will feature a stacked card of five stakes races, headlined by the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational for sophomores on the turf. The program is supported by the Grade 2, $400,000 Suburban, presented by Subourbon Life, for older horses; the Grade 3, $200,000 Manila for sophomores; the $150,000 Harvey Pack for older horses; and the $150,000 Schuylerville for juvenile fillies sprinting six furlongs.
America the Beautiful:
America The Beautiful will be performed trackside by The Voice Season 26 winner Sofronio Vasquez of nearby Utica, NY. In celebration of our nation’s independence and freedom, a large American flag will be displayed during the performance.
West Point Parachute Team:
The West Point Parachute Team (WPPT) will return to Saratoga Race Course on Independence Day to dazzle fans with a riveting afternoon aerial demonstration. Comprised of cadets and established in 1959, the WPPT is one of the oldest continuously operating parachute teams in the U.S. Military.
Declaration of Independence Reading:
Before the 4th race, there will be a reading of the Preamble to America's Declaration of Independence by Sean Kelleher, Town of Saratoga Historian and Vice Chair of the Saratoga 250 Commission. Kelleher will be accompanied by historians in 18th-century civilian militia kit of the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment.
Uncle Sam:
A beloved American icon whose roots are traced back to nearby Troy, Uncle Sam will stroll the track grounds in celebration of Independence Day. Known as a national personification of the United States, Uncle Sam’s origins are most notably associated with “Uncle” Samuel Wilson, a Troy meatpacker who prepared supplies for soldiers during the War of 1812.
Horseback Rides:
Complimentary horseback rides will be available in the backyard for children from noon to 4 p.m., courtesy of Adirondack Dreamcatcher Farm, located in nearby Corinth.
Carnival Games:
Fans can enjoy horse-themed carnival games with prizes all day long, located just outside of the Taste NY Pavillion.
Alcohol Beverage Samplings:
Fans can enjoy Independence Day with complimentary samples of Subourbon Life bourbon and pink lemonade canned cocktails at the Finishline Beverage Express; and Surfside canned cocktails at the Surfside Gazebo from noon to 4 p.m., while supplies last. Must be 21 or older with valid ID.
Saratoga Springs Fireworks:
Following the conclusion of racing, fans can head downtown for Saratoga’s All-American Celebration, culminating with a spectacular fireworks display from atop the Saratoga Springs City Center Parking Garage at 9 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 5
Hildebrandt’s Ice Cream Eating Contest:
After devouring those $1 Carnegie Deli Hot Dogs, fans can head straight to dessert with the Hildebrandt’s Ice Cream Eating Contest. Three heats comprised of 10 fans each will be held in the backyard near the Big Red while contestants will endeavor to avoid brain freeze. Fans can register to participate at nyra.com/julyfourth.
Admission Gates and Post Time:
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 12-race program getting underway at 12:35 p.m.
Belmont Oaks Invitational:
Grade 1 action continues as sophomore fillies take center stage in the $500,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational traveling nine furlongs on the turf. The card will feature a pair of Grade 3 events in the $175,000 Kelso for older horses and the $175,000 Sanford for juveniles sprinting six furlongs.
Yankee Doodle Band:
Rensselaer’s Yankee Doodle Band will perform trackside during the afternoon. Founded in 1927 by American Legion Post 471 in Rensselaer, the Yankee Doodle Band began as a senior drum and bugle corps. Over the decades, the Band earned recognition at national American Legion events, parades, and patriotic ceremonies, including New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller’s inauguration and events at the Empire State Plaza.
Red, White and Blue Photo Magnets:
Fans can enjoy complimentary, patriotic-themed photo magnets at the Jockey Silks Porch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Horseback Rides:
Complimentary horseback rides will be available in the backyard for children from noon to 4 p.m., courtesy of Adirondack Dreamcatcher Farm, located in nearby Corinth.
Carnival Games:
Fans can enjoy horse-themed carnival games with prizes all day long, located just outside of the Taste NY Pavillion.
Alcohol Beverage Samplings:
Fans can savor a Saturday afternoon at the track with complimentary samples of Josh Cellars Wines at the Josh Cellars Wine Grove from noon until 4 p.m. while supplies last. Must be 21 or older with valid ID.
SUNDAY, JULY 6
Admission Gates and Post Time:
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 10-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.
Dollar Dogs at The Spa:
Continuing throughout the duration of the July 4th Racing Festival, Carnegie Deli hot dogs will be available for just $1 at concession stands throughout Saratoga Race Course where hot dogs are traditionally sold.
All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.