The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced opening dates for the Oklahoma Training Track and barn area at historic Saratoga Race Course, along with upcoming on-sale dates for hospitality options at the 2026 Saratoga summer meet.
The Oklahoma barn area will open to licensed trainers and staff beginning Wednesday, April 15, with training on the Oklahoma scheduled to begin Monday, April 20.
Beginning April 20 and continuing until the start of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on June 3, the Whitney Viewing Stand will be open to fans Wednesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Last year, NYRA extended the operating hours of the Whitney Viewing Stand which will remain in effect this season.
Pedestrians may access the viewing stand by entering the Oklahoma track through Gate 21 off East Avenue. Please note that vehicular traffic is not currently allowed.
In advance of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the main track at the Spa is scheduled to open May 11, with timed workouts permitted beginning May 15.
The opening of the Oklahoma for training comes just days before fans may secure their dining reservations for the summer meet at Saratoga's popular Clubhouse restaurants: Turf Terrace, Club Terrace, and The Porch.
Reservations will be accepted beginning Thursday, April 23, through NYRA.com. All reservations include a non-refundable table seating charge and admission, along with a $25 food and beverage minimum per person within the restaurants.
One week later, on Thursday, April 30, single-day reserved seating will go on sale for the 2026 summer meet. Fans will be able to secure individual race-day seats in the Clubhouse, Grandstand, and Michelob Ultra Stretch, providing the flexibility to attend Saratoga on dates of their choice.
Additional hospitality offerings will become available on Thursday, May 7, when fans can reserve tables at the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar, Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock, and Surfside Tailgate at the Turn.
These on-sale opportunities apply exclusively to the 2026 Saratoga summer meet and do not include the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
Highlighted by the 158th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 6, the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held for the final time at Saratoga from Wednesday, June 3, through Sunday, June 7.
The 46-day Saratoga summer meet will open Friday, July 3, and continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Highlighted by the 157th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on August 29 and the 99th edition of the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 8, the summer meet will offer 20 Grade 1 races among 73 stakes worth over $23.575 million in total purses.
To accommodate the 2026 calendar, Saratoga will host a series of four-day racing weeks, Thursday through Sunday, from Thursday, July 9, through Sunday, July 26, prior to the resumption of the five-day racing week beginning Wednesday, July 29. The 2026 summer meet will conclude with a six-day closing week from Wednesday, September 2, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.
For additional information about the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, visit BelmontStakes.com.
For additional information about the 2026 Saratoga Summer Meet, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.
