Saratoga Race Course Concludes Record-Breaking Summer Meet
Saratoga: A Summer of Champions and Unprecedented Success
Saratoga's Record-Setting Performance and Expanded Role
The 45-day summer racing season at Saratoga Race Course concluded on a high note, drawing over one million spectators for the eleventh consecutive year. The total amount wagered during the meet surpassed $905 million. This successful period follows a three-year stretch where Saratoga played an increased role in the New York racing calendar, accommodating events typically held elsewhere due to the reconstruction of Belmont Park, which is set to reopen on September 18th.
Financial Highlights and Attendance Milestones
During the recent meet, paid attendance reached an impressive 1,045,373, with the total wagering handle climbing to $905,425,541. Notable contributions to this figure came from Travers day, which saw $60,863,320 wagered, and Whitney day, with $46,866,128, both ranking as the second-highest totals for their respective programs. When considering the entire 2026 racing calendar at Saratoga—including the summer meet and the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival—the total handle reached $1,105,339,004, with a combined paid attendance of 1,149,677.
Saratoga's Pivotal Role During Belmont Park Construction
Running from July 3rd to September 7th, this period marked a crucial phase where Saratoga hosted the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from 2024 to 2026, alongside the July 4th Racing Festival in 2025 and 2026. This expanded schedule was a direct response to the ongoing construction of a new Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. Dave O'Rourke, President and CEO of the New York Racing Association, expressed profound gratitude to fans, participants, and the local community for their support during this unprecedented time, eagerly anticipating the dawn of a new era for Belmont Park.
Chad Brown's Continued Dominance in Training
Trainer Chad Brown extended his remarkable winning streak, securing his sixth consecutive H. Allen Jerkens training title and ninth overall at Saratoga. His impressive summer included 42 victories, contributing to his 37th training title on the NYRA circuit. The 47-year-old local native achieved a win rate of 18.67% and an in-the-money rate of 56.44%, with his horses earning $6,225,783. Brown credited his dedicated team, skilled jockeys, and loyal clients for his consistent success, emphasizing the collaborative effort required in such a competitive environment.
Brown's Reflective Thoughts on a Challenging Meet
Brown acknowledged the intense competition and high stakes at Saratoga, noting the exceptional quality of horsemen, women, and horses. He praised NYRA's efforts in maintaining safe racing surfaces despite variable weather conditions and highlighted the improved and modernized content provided for the meet, all of which contributed to a smooth and successful season. He expressed his satisfaction in being a part of the continuous improvements at Saratoga.
A String of Stakes Victories for Brown
Chad Brown's trainees claimed nine stakes victories, four of which were at the top Grade 1 level. These included Fully Subscribed in the Personal Ensign, Ways and Means in the Ballerina, My Gun's Loaded in the Alabama, and Kathynmarissa in the Diana, with the latter marking his record-extending eleventh win in that race. Other significant wins included the Lake Placid with Naomis, the Shuvee with Fully Subscribed, the Kelso with Zulu Kingdom, the Curlin with Sea Strike, and the West Point with Spirit of St Louis. Brown particularly cherished the Alabama win, celebrating with his family, and acknowledged the special significance of victories by Ways and Means and other Grade 1 performers, as well as the promising debuts of several two-year-olds.
Franco's Inaugural Riding Title at Saratoga
Manny Franco achieved a significant milestone by winning his first Angel Cordero Jr. title as Saratoga's leading rider, amassing 73 wins. This adds to his 18 other titles on the NYRA circuit and positions him for a potential fifth year-end leading rider honor, currently holding a 65-win lead over Flavien Prat with 214 victories for the year. Franco expressed immense satisfaction, attributing his success to hard work, favorable opportunities, and skilled horses. His agent, John Panagot, also played a crucial role in securing these opportunities.
Franco's Impressive Season Statistics and Career Milestones
Franco participated in 44 of the 45 racing days, which included an extended summer season from the usual 40 days. His meet record stood at 370 starts, 73 wins, 49 seconds, and 59 thirds, with purse earnings of $8,460,130. He achieved a win rate of 19.73% and an in-the-money rate of 48.92%. Having previously been the year-end leading rider at NYRA in 2018-19, 2023, and 2025, Franco has now swept every NYRA meet this year, adding Saratoga to his victories at the Aqueduct winter meet, Aqueduct spring meet, and Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet.
Highlight Victories and Record-Equaling Performance
A standout moment for Franco was his win aboard the Cox-trained Leading Change in the $1.25 million Travers (G1) on August 29th, an impressive victory before a crowd of 47,659 that kept the colt undefeated. He also partnered with Cox to win the Hopeful (G1) with The Good Life, and secured additional wins in the Alabama with My Gun's Loaded and the Christophe Clement Turf with Survie. Other notable stakes wins included the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) with Bottas, the Prioress (G3) with Mashallah, and several listed races. Franco also tied the Saratoga single-day record for a jockey with six wins on August 7th, a day highlighted by his Hall of Fame score aboard Bottas.
Klaravich Stables Reclaims Leading Owner Title
Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables secured its eighth leading owner title at Saratoga and its 32nd at a NYRA meet. All 17 of its wins were achieved with horses trained by Chad Brown. Brown lauded Klarman as a significant supporter, emphasizing his client's dedication to owning top horses and his active participation in New York racing at various levels. Klarman's operation concluded the meet with 80 starts, 17 wins, 17 seconds, and 13 thirds, earning $2,413,276 in purses, including graded stakes wins with Fully Subscribed and Ways and Means. The stable also celebrated the impressive debut of New York-bred juvenile filly Cash Burn, who won by 13 1/2 lengths on August 20th.