NYRA announces post times for the 2023 Saratoga Race Course summer meet

by Pat McKenna

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced post times for the 2023 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which will include 71 stakes worth $20.8 million in total purses. 

Highlighted by the 154th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 26 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 5, the 2023 summer meet will open on Thursday, July 13 and continue through Monday, September 4.

Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day. 

First post time is 1:10 p.m. Eastern with the exception of Whitney and Travers Days and throughout Closing Weekend. Admission gates will open for live racing at 11 a.m. for all but the Travers Day card when gates will open at 7 a.m.

The Travers Festival, which offers six Grade 1s from Wednesday, August 23 through Saturday, August 26, is headlined by the 154th edition of the 1 1/4-mile Travers on Saturday, August 26.

The lucrative Travers Day card, which will have an 11:40 a.m. first post, features five Grade 1 stakes and an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup to the winner of the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer [Turf] and Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap [Filly and Mare Sprint.]

In addition to the Travers, the stacked card will also include the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego, a seven-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and upward, and the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs.

Whitney Day on Saturday, August 5, which offers a 12:35 p.m. first post, provides a trio of Grade 1 events, led by the Whitney at 1 1/8 miles for older horses offering an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 4 at Santa Anita.

Completing the Grade 1s on Whitney Day will be the seven-furlong $500,000 Test for sophomore fillies and the $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational, at 1 3/16-miles on turf for sophomores. Whitney Day will also include the Grade 3, $300,000 Troy for older turf sprinters, and the restricted $135,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure at 1 1/16-miles on turf for older horses.

Closing Weekend of the Saratoga meet from Saturday, September 2, through Monday, September 4, will offer a 12:40 p.m. post time.

The Saturday, September 3 card includes a pair of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events led by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup [Classic] at 10 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up and the Grade 2, $500,000 Flower Bowl [Filly and Mare Turf], an 11-furlong turf test for fillies and mares. Also featured that day is the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for sophomore filly sprinters and the $150,000 Harvey Pack for older turf sprinters.

On Sunday, September 3, juvenile fillies will sprint seven furlongs in the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway as part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen series.

Closing Day on Monday, September 4, will feature the $150,000 Bernard Baruch along with the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs to conclude the 2023 Saratoga meeting.

For details, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.