Saratoga Race Course 2026 Schedule Features 73 Stakes Races Worth $23.5 Million

The countdown to another summer at Saratoga Race Course is officially on.

The historic 2026 Saratoga meet opens Friday, July 3, and runs through Labor Day, delivering 46 race days across a 10-week summer season packed with top-tier Thoroughbred action.

2026 Saratoga summer meet schedule announced

Opening Weekend begins with the July 4th Racing Festival, launching one of the most anticipated meets on the North American horse racing calendar.

Fans can expect a mix of four- and five-day racing weeks throughout the summer. Mondays and Tuesdays will serve as the primary Dark Days, while Wednesdays remain dark through July 26 before the traditional Wednesday-through-Sunday racing schedule returns on July 29.

The meet wraps up with a special six-day closing week beginning Wednesday, Sept. 2, and ending on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.

The full 2026 stakes schedule has also been unveiled, featuring 73 stakes races worth more than $23.5 million in total purses — setting the stage for another blockbuster summer at Saratoga.

Week 1: Friday, July 3 – Sunday, July 5, 2026

Friday, July 3, 2026: (Listed) Schuylerville, (Listed) Wild Applause (NW of SS), (Listed) Saranac (NW of SS)

Saturday, July 4, 2026: GI Belmont Derby, GI Belmont Oaks, GII Suburban pres. by Subourban Life, GIII Sanford

Sunday, July 5, 2026: GI Leo O'Brien, GIII Kelso, (Listed) Harvey Pack

Week 2: Thursday, July 9 – Sunday, July 12, 2026

Friday, July 10, 2026: GIII Victory Ride

Saturday, July 11, 2026: GII Bowling Green, GII Caress

Week 3: Thursday, July 16 – Sunday, July 19, 2026

Thursday, July 16, 2026: Jonathan Kiser Novice Memorial

Friday, July 17, 2026: (Listed) De La Rose (NW GSS in 2025-2026)

Saturday, July 18, 2026: GI Dunkin' Diana, GIII Coronation Cup

Sunday, July 19, 2026: GIII Quick Call pres. by Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

Week 4: Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26, 2026

Thursday, July 23, 2026: Suzie O'Cain (NYB)

Friday, July 24, 2026: GII Shuvee, Rick Violette (NYB)

Saturday, July 25, 2026: GI Coaching Club American Oaks, GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt

Sunday, July 26, 2026: GII Honorable Miss pres. by Mionetto

Week 5: Wednesday, July 29 – Sunday, August 2, 2026

Wednesday, July 29, 2026: (Listed) Curlin (NW of Graded SS) pres. by Casamigos

Thursday, July 30, 2026: GII Glens Falls

Friday, July 31, 2026: GII Amsterdam

Saturday, August 1, 2026: GII Jim Dandy pres. by Mohegan Sun, GII Saratoga Special, GIII Lake George pres. by Surfside

Sunday, August 2, 2026: GIII Adirondack

Week 6: Wednesday, August 5 – Sunday, August 9, 2026

Wednesday, August 5, 2026: GI A.P. Smithwick Memorial, Johnstone (NYB)

Thursday, August 6, 2026: John Morrissey (NYB)

Friday, August 7, 2026: GII Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks, GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame

Saturday, August 8, 2026: GI Whitney, GI Saratoga Derby pres. by Qatar Racing, GI Fourstardave, GI Test pres. by Ticketmaster

Sunday, August 9, 2026: GII Troy

Week 7: Wednesday, August 12 – Sunday, August 16, 2026

Wednesday, August 12, 2026: Michael G. Walsh Memorial Novice

Friday, August 14, 2026: (Listed) Smart and Fancy

Saturday, August 15, 2026: GI Christophe Clement Turf, (Listed) Galway

Sunday, August 16, 2026: GIII Mahony

Week 8: Wednesday, August 19 – Sunday, August 23, 2026

Wednesday, August 19, 2026: New York Stallion Series - Statue of Liberty Division

Thursday, August 20, 2026: New York Stallion Series - Cab Calloway Division

Friday, August 21, 2026: Fleet Indian (NYB)

Saturday, August 22, 2026: GI Alabama pres. by Keeneland Sales, GII Ballston Spa pres. by STIHL

Sunday, August 23, 2026: Albany (NYB)

Week 9: Wednesday, August 26 – Sunday, August 30, 2026

Wednesday, August 26, 2026: (Listed) Bolton Landing

Thursday, August 27, 2026: Skidmore

Friday, August 28, 2026: GIII Waya, West Point (NYB)

Saturday, August 29, 2026: GI DraftKings Travers, GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, GI Resorts World

Casino Ballerina, GI Forego, GI Personal Ensign, GII Lake Placid

Sunday, August 30, 2026: Yaddo Stakes (NYB)

Week 10: Wednesday, September 2 – Monday, September 7, 2026

Wednesday, September 2, 2026: GI Jonathan Sheppard Memorial

Thursday, September 3, 2026: (Listed) Bernard Baruch

Friday, September 4, 2026: (Listed) P. G. Johnson, Seeking the Ante (NYB)

Saturday, September 5, 2026: GI Spinaway, GIII With Anticipation

Sunday, September 6, 2026: GI Spendthrift Farm Hopeful, GIII Prioress, Disco Partner (NW Gr. SS in 2025-2026)

Monday, September 7, 2026: Gio Ponti, Funny Cide pres. by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital (NYB)

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