NYRA/Saratoga Race Course Makes Decision on 2020 Meet

Social distancing precautions have changed a lot of our plans for the upcoming months and that now includes the Saratoga Race Course.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) released a statement on Wednesday that they will continue to hold the 2020 meet at both Saratoga and Belmont Park but there will be no fans in attendance.

Spectrum News reported that NYRA Director of Communications Pat McKenna said “By closing to the public, layering additional health and safety protocols to our ongoing practices, and reducing the number of employees on-property, NYRA is in a position to provide a small sense of normalcy for fans across the country who can watch on television and online.”

Saratoga’s racing season was scheduled to run from July 16-September 7, but may be delayed. The race course brings in a lot for the Saratoga economy and now, Todd Shimkus, the president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce said that “This is clearly going to be one of those down years …see if there are ways we can safely accommodate something better that might be more helpful, positively for the local economy.”