SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Race Course is headed for a record season – both in handle and attendance – surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. And the track’s popularity has swelled hotel bookings too, a move that the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce said will put the city and its businesses on firm economic footing for the rest of the summer.
Yet it’s not all good news at the mid-season point at the track. Horse advocates are concerned that eight horses have died at the track so far this year. Five died in the past week, two while racing and three in training.
Racing supporters say the betting and attendance numbers reflect how the track remains a draw over more than a century and a half.
“The popularity of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course is at an all-time high,” said Pat McKenna, New York Racing Association spokesman. “That is reflected not only in strong handle and attendance figures, but also in the overall energy and enthusiasm felt at the track each and every day. We are on pace to eclipse 1 million in paid attendance for the seventh consecutive year as well as break the all-time wagering handle record for the third time in the last five years.”
The handle on day 20 of the 40-day meet was $431 million, while it was $402 million at the same time in 2021, the first full meet after the pandemic kept fans away in 2020. That’s a 7.3 percent increase in betting from all sources.
Attendance, at the mid-meet level, was 512,683 so far. In 2021 at this point it was 502,266.
“When you are looking at those kinds of strong attendance numbers, that came despite two separate heat waves,” McKenna said. “Clearly, fan engagement, interest and enthusiasm with all things Saratoga Race Course is again at all-time high.”
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is also savoring the continued success of the meet, which during its six-week stay in Saratoga pours more than $240 million in the local economy. President Todd Shimkus said that figure will likely be surpassed this summer as visitors to the track as well as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Fasig-Tipton yearling sales have filled hotels.
“Hotel occupancy has been up in June, July and August,” Shimkus said. “We know when people stay here, they spend money here. Anecdotally, we are hearing great things across the (Saratoga) County.”
Chef Josh Herring of Wheatfields Restaurant and Bar on Broadway said "business is booming."
"People are coming in, loving the food," Herring said. "We are getting a lot of compliments on our homemade pastas, the seasonality of the food." He also said it's been a "far better" year than 2021, which was difficult. He also said he worked hard to solidify and keep his staff happy.
Business is also good at Hattie's Chicken Shack on Phila Street.
“It’s been a great summer so far,” said Beth Alexander, who, with her husband, Jasper Alexander, operates Hattie’s. “Sales are significantly stronger than last year at this time,” she said, noting that last weekend, on Aug. 6, Hattie’s set a record for the highest single-day sales in its 11-year history.
“We’re basically full” five nights a week at Hattie’s Restaurant, with Monday evening still busy but not at capacity, Beth Alexander said.
Horse deaths a shadow
Despite the money high, horse advocates remain concerned about the deaths. As recorded by the state Gaming Commission, the first three came during the shoulder season, in June and early July. Range War and Vindatude died in training. Supernova died from “apparent peritonitis,” an inflammation of the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity, Merck Veterinary Manual indicates.
The other five died in one week, two on Aug. 6, two on Wednesday and one Thursday. However, eight deaths at this point into the meet is about average. The Gaming Commission notes deaths going back to 2009. In 2021, 15 died; in 2020, 21 died; in 2019, 16 died; and in 2018, 14 died.
Marty Irby, executive director the Animal Wellness Action, which successfully lobbied for legislation aimed at protecting horses, said he doesn’t blame NYRA for the issue; they continue to make horse safety a priority. He said the body put in place to oversee safe racing, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, is postponing action to implement the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act until 2023.
HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus did not respond to the Times Union's emailed questions about the delay in enforcement. However, a spokeswoman for HISA said the organization is working diligently to get a solid process in place to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
Credit Event, on Aug. 6, died from a fracture, so too did Practice Squad on Aug. 10. That same day, Awesome Jerry sustained a leg injury and on the following day, Salt Cay had an unreported injury. The Gaming Commission reported that all of these horses were euthanized.
Horseracing Wrongs founder and President Patrick Battuello believes there is nothing that can be done to protect the horses as the sport is the problem, not oversight.
“Their product kills, consistently and inevitably,” Battuello wrote in an Aug. 11 blog post.
NYRA disagrees, listing all that it has done to protect horsing running on their tracks.
"NYRA’s organizational commitment to equine safety, coupled with significant capital investments in our racing surfaces and facilities, has ensured that serious equine injuries remain exceedingly rare at Saratoga Race Course," McKenna said in a statement. "The first 21 days of racing at the summer meet has included 214 races featuring 1682 horses. 99.9 percent of those horses competed safely and without incident.
On the training side, he said, 99.9 percent of 4,152 timed workouts were completed safely and without incident, adding that "there is always more work to be done."
Two horses incurred catastrophic injuries during those 214 races, he said. Three horses incurred catastrophic injuries during training.
"NYRA prioritizes safety and integrity above all other considerations and continuously evaluates all aspects of the operation to provide the safest possible environment for training and racing," McKenna's statement said.
Irby says all efforts are essential to keep the meet and horses alive.
“I will tell you, any death is one death too many,” he said.
Contributing: Steve Barnes
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