Travel: Saratoga Race Course

Starting Gate

This past Saturday I ventured with my family on a gambling adventure to Saratoga Race Course, located in Saratoga Springs, New York. Parking is very inexpensive you can park down the road from the venue and park free or you can park right next to the venue (2 minute walk) and pay $12. As you walk up to Saratoga Race course you pay a $5 entry fee, for adults. You can tell this race course has had years of fun by the historical feel. The first race at Saratoga took place on August 3, 1863. 

Inside where you place your bets

I'm not a gambling at Casinos or the type to buy lottery tickets every day but Saratoga is a different story. Every one is relaxed eating or drinking their wine when you first walk in, however once 1:00PM rolls around and the first bets are in the crowd goes wild. Yelling random phrases, which are often the horses names, jumping around, looking for the number they picked to cross the finish line first. It gets intense! 

It is crazy to think that the season is so short. It started this year on July 18th and ends on September 1st. Only 40 days! 

Everybody getting ready to watch

I don't know much about horse racing, I basically base my picks on the horses names (because I like the creativity), and pure luck. There are a number of ways to bet such as Exacta which you pick 1st and 2nd place horse and you must have them in correct order or Trifecta which you have to pick 1st three horses in the correct order. But the easiest way is by betting win, place, show.
Win: Your horse must win. 
Place: Your horse must come in 1st or 2nd place. 
Show: Your horse must come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd place. 
The minimum you are able to bet is $1. 

My favorite race of the day featured a Boston favorite Wicked Strong. This horse competed this year in the Kentucky Derby and won his race today against some tough competitors. 

Wicked Strong

If you would like to find out more information for a fun day trip or weekend. Visit their website at: nyra.com/saratoga