‘Special summer': Labor Day signals final day of 2026 Saratoga Race Course meet

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. –– Horse racing fans flocked to the Saratoga Race Course on Labor Day for one final time in 2026. New York Racing Association's Vice President for Communications, Patrick McKenna, shared with The Saratogian Monday morning that the 46-day 2026 meet was successful 'certainly by every business metric.' 'When you look at the wagering enthusiasm, the attendance exceeding a million for the 11th consecutive year, it all speaks to the power of Saratoga and the enduring popularity of one of the greatest venues in sports,' McKenna said. 'At the same time, we also reflect on this historic three-year period where the Belmont Stakes was held in Saratoga. This was a period of significant adjustments to the customary schedule, so as we close this chapter, we do so with an immense sense of gratitude to the fans, to the racing participants, to the Saratoga community – without whom none of this is possible. 'Saratoga is a special place for a number of reasons, but most importantly because of the fans who return each and every summer, especially these last three years as fans supported the Belmont Stakes, the July 4 festivals, in extraordinary numbers and with a level of enthusiasm and energy that certainly exceeded all expectations.' Trackgoers on Monday also agreed that this season was a memorable and enjoyable one. 'It's been pretty darn good,' One racing fan, John, said when asked how he thought this year's racing season went. 'I come every day and, for me, it all depends on the weather, and the weather's been amazing this summer. Every day up here is like a day in paradise.' John also noted that he was looking forward to getting to say goodbye to everybody, as he's been coming to the Race Course for 40 years and the people have become his favorite part. 'It's getting to be like a family reunion now,' John said. 'You come in and make sure everybody's still alive and doing well, and then today, we just say goodbye and see you on July 15.' Before even the start of the summer meet, The Saratoga Race Course hosted its third and final Belmont Stakes Racing Festival ahead of the third leg of the Triple Crown making its way back to Elmont as renovations on the new Belmont Park finish and live racing set to return to the venue on Sept. 18. This, along with the 46-day meet, which kicked off with the second July Fourth Racing Festival, made this summer's racing season the longest racing season in the venue's history. However, McKenna notes that this will not be the case again next summer. 'NYRA has been very clear previously, throughout this winter, that this was always intended to be three years of significant adjustments to the Saratoga calendar while we were building the new Belmont Park downstate,' McKenna said. 'NYRA looks forward to returning to a traditional 40-day meet in 2027.' And while racing fans are already getting excited about next year's season, trackgoers on Monday were trying to soak up the last remnants of summer and the summer racing season – such as Cindy Cocca and her family, who were hosting their annual 'family day' at the race course, a tradition they have been doing for many years now. 'This is the big day for us. My husband and I come a couple of times a week, but this is the day,' Cocca said. 'I've been coming with my father since I was seven, so almost 70 years, and my father's passed away, so we just want to keep up the family tradition.' When Monday's 12-race card draws to a close, racing won't resume until July 2027 at the Saratoga Race Course. And whether it was watching Golden Tempo win the Belmont Stakes or Leading Change win the Travers Stakes, whether you were watching horses run by on the rail, in the grandstand or at a table in the backyard, whether you went to the track every single day or for the first time – the hope is that this summer's racing season left you with memories and an excitement to return. 'Closing day is always somewhat bittersweet, especially for the fans who are fortunate enough to be with us, maybe not just one day, not two days, but many days throughout the summer,' McKenna said. 'Ending on Labor Day, going back to work and school, always has a tinge of that bittersweet feeling, but at the same time, what a special summer it's been.' 'To see families, friends congregating in a place that is so special to so many people is really what it's all about – so this is one more day to make memories and to enjoy beautiful weather in upstate New York at the world's greatest racetrack.' For more information about the Saratoga Race Course, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/.