Saratoga releases summer 2024 schedule of 71 stakes races
The New York Racing Association announced Friday the stakes schedule for the 2024 summer meet at Saratoga, which runs from July 11 through Sept. 2.
Highlighted by the 155th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 24 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 3, the 40-day meet features 19 Grade 1 races as part of 71 stakes worth $20.75 million in total purses.
Following the four-day opening week, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from closing week, when the 2024 summer meet will conclude on Labor Day.
Saratoga Live, the television show produced by NYRA in partnership with Fox Sports, will return for its ninth season to provide expansive on-site daily coverage of the summer meet to a nationwide audience on the networks of Fox Sports.
| Saratoga 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Race | Purse | Div. | Distance |
| Thu., July 11 | Schuylerville | $175,000 | 2yo f | 6 furlongs |
| Fri., July 12 | Coronation Cup | $150,000 | 3yo f | 5 1/2 f (t) |
| Wilton | $135,000 | 3yo f | 1 mile | |
| Sat., July 13 | Diana (G1) | $500,000 | 4+ f&m | 1 1/8 mi (t) |
| Kelso (G3) | $175,000 | 4+ | 1 mile (t) | |
| Sanford (G3) | $175,000 | 2yo | 6 furlongs | |
| Sun., July 14 | Quick Call (G3) | $175,000 | 3yo | 5 1/2 f (t) |
| Wed., July 17 | Smithwick Mem (G1, hurdles) | $150,000 | 4+ | 2 3/8 mi (t) |
| NYSSS Statue of Liberty Div. | $150,000 | 3yo f | 1 mile (t) | |
| Thu., July 18 | NYSSS Cab Calloway Div. | $150,000 | 3yo | 1 mile (t) |
| Fri., July 19 | Curlin (r) | $135,000 | 3yo | 1 1/8 mi |
| Sat., July 20 | Coaching Club Am. Oaks (G1) | $500,000 | 3yo f | 1 1/8 mi |
| Lake George (G3) | $175,000 | 3yo f | 1 mile (t) | |
| Sun., July 21 | Shuvee (G2) | $200,000 | 4+ f&m | 1 1/8 mi |
| Wed., July 24 | Honorable Miss Hcp. (G2) | $200,000 | 3+ f&m | 6 furlongs |
| Thu., July 25 | Caress (G3) | $200,000 | 4+ f&m | 5 1/2 f (t) |
| Fri., July 26 | Amsterdam (G2) | $200,000 | 3yo | 6 1/2 f |
| Sat., July 27 | Alfred G. Vanderbilt Hcp. (G1) | $350,000 | 3+ | 6 furlongs |
| Jim Dandy (G2) | $500,000 | 3yo | 1 1/8 mi | |
| Sun., July 28 | Bowling Green (G2) | $250,000 | 4+ | 1 3/8 (t) |
| Wed., July 31 | De La Rose (r) | $135,000 | 4+ f&m | 1 mile (t) |
| Thu., Aug. 1 | Glens Falls (G2) | $250,000 | 4+ f&m | 1 1/2 mi (t) |
| Fri., Aug. 2 | NMR Hall Of Fame (G2) | $500,000 | 3yo | 1 mi (t) |
| Saratoga Oaks Inv. (G2) | $400,000 | 3yo f | 1 3/16 mi (t) | |
| Sat., Aug. 3 | Lure (r) | $135,000 | 4+ | 1 1/16 mi (t) |
| Test (G1) | $500,000 | 3yo f | 7 furlongs | |
| Troy (G2) | $300,000 | 4+ | 5 1/2 f (t) | |
| Whitney (G1)* | $1,000,000 | 4+ | 1 1/8 mi | |
| Saratoga Derby Inv. (G1) | $600,000 | 3yo | 1 3/16 mi (t) | |
| Sun., Aug. 4 | Adirondack (G3) | $200,000 | 2yo f | 6 1/2 fur |
| Birdstone | $150,000 | 4+ | 1 3/4 mi | |
| Wed., Aug. 7 | Johnstone Mile (NYB) | $125,000 | 3+ f&m | 1 mile |
| Thu., Aug. 8 | John Morrissey Hcp. (NYB) | $125,000 | 3+ | 6 furlongs |
| Fri., Aug. 9 | Evan Shipman Hcp. (NYB) | $125,000 | 3+ | 1 mile |
| Union Avenue Hcp. (NYB) | $125,000 | 3+ f&m | 6 furlongs | |
| Sat., Aug. 10 | Fourstardave Hcp. (G1)* | $500,000 | 3+ | 1 mile (t) |
| Saratoga Special (G2) | $200,000 | 2yo | 6 1/2 fur | |
| Galway | $150,000 | 3yo f | 5 1/2 f (t) | |
| Sun., Aug. 11 | Mahony | $150,000 | 3yo | 5 1/2 f (t) |
| Wed., Aug. 14 | J. Sheppard (G1, hurdles) | $150,000 | 4+ | 2 3/8 mi (t) |
| Suzie O'Cain (NYB) | $125,000 | 3yo f | 1 1/16 mi (t) | |
| Thu., Aug. 15 | Rick Violette (NYB) | $125,000 | 3yo | 1 1/16 mi (t) |
| Fri., Aug. 16 | Skidmore | $150,000 | 2yo | 5 1/2 f (t) |
| Sat., Aug. 17 | Alabama (G1) | $600,000 | 3yo f | 1 1/4 mi |
| Lake Placid (G2) | $200,000 | 3yo f | 1 1/16 mi (t) | |
| Sun., Aug. 18 | Bolton Landing | $150,000 | 2yo f | 5 1/2 f (t) |
| Wed., Aug. 21 | John's Call (r) | $135,000 | 4+ | 1 5/8 mi (t) |
| Thu., Aug. 22 | Ballston Spa (G2) | $300,000 | 4+ f&m | 1 1/16 mi (t) |
| Fri., Aug. 23 | Personal Ensign (G1) | $500,000 | 4+ f&m | 1 1/8 mi |
| Smart N Fancy | $150,000 | 4+ f&m | 5 1/2 f (t) | |
| Sat., Aug. 24 | Ballerina (G1)* | $500,000 | 3+ f&m | 7 furlongs |
| Forego (G1) | $500,000 | 4+ | 7 furlongs | |
| H. Allen Jerkens Mem. (G1) | $500,000 | 3yo | 7 furlongs | |
| Sword Dancer (G1)* | $750,000 | 3+ | 1 1/2 mi (t) | |
| Travers | $1,250,000 | 3yo | 1 1/4 mi | |
| Sun., Aug. 25 | Albany (NYB) | $250,000 | 3yo | 1 1/8 mi |
| Fleet Indian (NYB) | $200,000 | 3yo f | 1 1/8 mi | |
| Funny Cide (NYB) | $200,000 | 2yo | 6 furlongs | |
| Seeking the Ante (NYB) | $200,000 | 2yo f | 6 furlongs | |
| West Point (NYB) | $200,000 | 3+ | 1 1/16 mi (t) | |
| Yaddo Handicap (NYB) | $200,000 | 3+ f&m | 1 1/16 mi (t) | |
| Wed., Aug. 28 | P. G. Johnson | $150,000 | 2yo f | 1 1/16 mi (t) |
| Thu., Aug. 29 | With Anticipation (G3) | $175,000 | 2yo | 1 1/16 mi (t) |
| Fri., Aug. 30 | Saranac (G3) | $175,000 | 3yo | 1 1/16 mi (t) |
| Sat., Aug. 31 | Flower Bowl (G2)* | $500,000 | 4+ f&m | 1 3/8 mi (t) |
| Prioress (G3) | $200,000 | 3yo f | 6 furlongs | |
| Spinaway (G1)* | $300,000 | 2yo f | 7 furlongs | |
| Sun., Sept. 1 | Bernard Baruch Hcp. | $150,000 | 4+ | 1 1/16 mi (t) |
| Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1)* | $1,000,000 | 3+ | 1 1/4 mi | |
| Mon., Sept. 2 | Harvey Pack | $150,000 | 4+ | 5 1/2 f (t) |
| Hopeful (G1) | $300,000 | 2yo | 7 furlongs | |
| *Breeders' Cup qualifier |
The meet’s stakes action kicks off on July 11 with the $175,000 Schuylerville at six furlongs for juvenile fillies. The action continues Friday, July 12, with two stakes for sophomore fillies in the $150,000 Coronation Cup at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf and the restricted $135,000 Wilton at one-mile on dirt ahead of the meet’s first Grade 1 contest on Saturday, July 13, the $500,000 Diana for older fillies and mares going nine-furlongs on the turf. The July 13 card will be supported by an additional pair of $175,000 races, the Sanford (G3) for juveniles sprinting six furlongs and the Kelso (G3) at one mile on turf for older horses.
The $175,000 Quick Call (G3), a sophomore turf sprint, closes out opening weekend on Sunday, July 14.
July 20 will feature the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at nine furlongs on the main track as sophomore fillies take center stage, headlining a card that also offers the Grade 3, $175,000 Lake George for sophomore fillies traveling one-mile on the grass.
Week 3 kicks off on July 24 with the $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at six furlongs for fillies and mares, one day before the $200,000 Caress (G3) for fillies and mares sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. The $200,000 Amsterdam (G2) for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs follows on July 26 ahead of a strong card slated for July 27 that features the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) at six-furlongs for 3-year-olds and up and the $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) at nine-furlongs for sophomores. Closing out Jim Dandy weekend on July 28 is the $250,000 Bowling Green (G2) at 1 3/8 miles on the turf for older horses.
The $135,000 De La Rose, a restricted event for older filly and mare turf milers, is slated for July 31, as part of Whitney week. That leads into the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale on Aug. 5-6 and the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred yearling sale on Aug. 12-13.
The $250,000 Glens Falls (G2) for older filly and mare turf marathoners is set for Thursday, August 1, before Whitney weekend kicks off August 2 with the $500,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) for sophomore turf milers and the $400,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G2) at 1 3/16 miles on turf for sophomore fillies. The Saratoga Oaks has been elevated from Grade 3 status last year.
Aug. 3 features a trio of Grade 1 events led by the $1 million Whitney at 1 1/8 miles for older horses. The Whitney offers an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
Completing the top-level races on Whitney day will be the seven-furlong $500,000 Test (G1) for sophomore fillies and the $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1) at 1 3/16-miles on turf for sophomores. Whitney Day will also include the $300,000 Troy (G2) for older turf sprinters, which has been elevated from Grade 3 status last year, and the $135,000 Lure, a restricted event at 1 1/16-miles on turf for older horses.
Whitney weekend concludes on Aug. 4, with the $200,000 Adirondack (G3) at 6 1/2-furlongs for juvenile fillies and the $150,000 Birdstone for older marathoners traveling 1 3/4 miles.
The 155th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers, the historic 1 1/4-mile test for sophomores, headlines a lucrative card slated for Aug. 24. The marquee day of racing will feature four additional Grade 1 contests. Two offer Breeders' Cup berths. The $750,000 Sword Dancer (G1), a 1 1/2-mile turf route for 3-year-olds and up, offers an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The $500,000 Ballerina Handicap (G1), a seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares, awards a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. The card also includes the $500,000 Forego (G1) at seven furlongs for older horses and the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) for sophomores sprinting seven furlongs.
Travers week kicks off Aug. 21 with the $135,000 John’s Call, a restricted event for older turf marathoners and continues Aug. 22 with the $300,000 Ballston Spa (G2) at 1 1/16 miles for older turf fillies and mares. The Aug. 23 card will offer the $500,000 Personal Ensign (G1) at nine furlongs for older fillies and mares along with the $150,000 Smart N Fancy for older filly and mare turf sprinters.
New York-breds take center stage Aug. 25 for New York Showcase Day, featuring six stakes for state-breds worth a combined $1.25 million.
Among the other top-level races at the Spa include the $600,000 Alabama on Aug. 17 and the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (G1) on Aug. 10. The Fourstardave offers an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Mile, and will be held on the same card as the $200,000 Saratoga Special (G2) and the $150,000 Galway.
The meet also includes a pair of top-level races for steeplechasers. They include the $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial (G1) on July 17, which will be contested at an increased distance of 2 3/8 miles, and the $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard Memorial (G1) at the same distance Aug. 14.
Closing weekend of the Saratoga meet will feature a pair of Breeders’ Cup qualifiers. On Aug. 31, the $500,000 Flower Bowl (G2), for older fillies and mares traveling 1 3/8 over the turf, offers a ticket to the Breeders' Cupp Filly and Mare Turf. On Sept. 1, the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup covers 1 1/4 miles on the dirt, and offers its field of 3-year-olds and up a bid to the Breeders' Cup Classic.
The Aug. 31 card also includes the $300,000 Spinaway (G1) for juvenile fillies and the $200,000 Prioress (G3) for sophomore filly sprinters. The Sept. 1 card will be supported by the $150,000 Bernard Baruch at 1 1/16 miles on turf for older horses.
Closing day on Sept. 2 will feature the $150,000 Harvey Pack for older turf sprinters and the prestigious $300,000 Hopeful (G1) for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs to conclude the 2024 Saratoga meeting.