NYRA concludes summer meet at Saratoga Race Course

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today concluded the 2026 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which generated paid attendance exceeding 1 million fans for the 11th consecutive year and wagering handle of more than $900 million.

The 2026 summer meet served as a bookend to an historic three-year period for Saratoga Race Course, which hosted the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from 2024-2026 and the July 4th Racing Festival in 2025-2026 to allow for the construction of a new Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

“We close this unprecedented chapter in Saratoga’s history with immense gratitude for the support of our fans, racing participants, and the Saratoga community,” said Dave O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “The popularity of horse racing in New York was on full display this summer, and we look forward to a new era for Belmont Park beginning September 18."

Paid attendance during the 2026 Saratoga summer meet was 1,045,373 with wagering handle of $905,425,541. This includes $60,863,320 wagered on DraftKings Travers Day and $46,866,128 on Whitney Day, the second highest in history for each of the respective days.

Over the 50 days of racing at Saratoga in 2026, inclusive of the 45-day* summer meet and five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, wagering handle totaled $1,105,339,004 with paid attendance of 1,149,677.

Saratoga Live, the critically acclaimed and award-winning show produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, featured daily coverage and in-depth analysis of the summer meet across the FOX Sports family of networks for the 11th consecutive year. In addition, FOX Saratoga Saturday presented by Oceania Cruises aired on the FOX broadcast network over seven consecutive Saturdays.

Highlights of the 2026 Saratoga summer meet

The Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers featured a deep and accomplished field headlined by Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo and Preakness winner Napoleon Solo. It was the Brad Cox-trained Leading Change, however, who emerged victorious under Manny Franco in front of a crowd of 47,659 on Saturday, August 29. 

Reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty returned to Saratoga Race Course with an emphatic victory in the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Saturday, August 8. With his Whitney victory, Sovereignty earned a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in October at Keeneland.

Manny Franco claimed the Angel Cordero, Jr. title as leading rider; Chad Brown captured the H. Allen Jerkens training title; and Klaravich Stables secured the meet’s leading owner title.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher earned his 6,000th career victory in North America during the summer meet, when Versailles Road captured the finale on Whitney Day, Saturday, August 8.

Jockeys Luis Saez and Hall of Famer Javier Castellano reached significant career milestones during the summer meet, recording the 4,000th and 6,000th victories of their respective careers.

Fans enjoyed FIFA World Cup 26™ Viewing Parties, hosted by Michelob Ultra and Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service, bringing the excitement of the global soccer tournament to the Spa during the summer meet.

Saratoga welcomed on Whitney Day members of the United States Women’s Olympic gold medal-winning hockey team, Haley Winn and Hayley Scamurra, along with Katie Million, the team’s general manager.

The second annual Corgi Cup returned to Saratoga, bringing dozens of four-legged competitors and their enthusiastic supporters to the Spa. Kona, a five-year-old Corgi from Smithtown, NY, was this year’s winner.

Saratoga hosted its second annual NYRA STAR Kids Day, featuring a wide variety of family-friendly activities and attractions for its youngest fans, and its traditional Military Appreciation Day and First Responders Day to celebrate and honor those who serve our nation and our communities.

Following a three-year project to create a world-class sports and entertainment destination, Belmont Park will reopen on Friday, September 18. The stakes schedule for the fall meet can be found here. To explore ticket options at the new Belmont Park, visit NewBelmont.com.

As previously announced, NYRA plans to return to a 40-day summer meet in 2027. 

*The Saratoga summer meet was conducted across 45 days after heavy rains forced the cancellation of live racing on Wednesday, July 29.

About the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is a not-for-profit corporation franchised by New York State to conduct thoroughbred racing at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York’s horse racing economy, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual statewide impact.

NYRA is the parent company of NYRA Bets, LLC, the national advance deposit wagering platform launched in 2016 and currently available to customers in 38 states. NYRA Bets provides bettors the opportunity to wager on tracks worldwide from anywhere at any time. The NYRA Bets app is available for download on iOS and Android at NYRABets.com.