Saratoga Race Track Schedule 2013: Breaking Down Biggest Races of Opening Day

While the Triple Crown hunt has come and gone, the racing season is just kicking off the 2013 Saratoga race track’s schedule as the course and its workers prepare for opening day.

This is one of the biggest events on the New York racing calendar, and hardcore and casual fans alike won’t want to miss a second of this excellent horse racing action.

When: Friday, July 19

Time: First post is at 1 p.m. ET

Where: Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Post Positions: Complete listings found at the New York Racing Association's official website.

Live Audio Stream: NYRA

All Statistics and race information via Horse Racing Nation and NYRA.com.

Full Opening Day Schedule

Number	Length	Surface	Age/Sex	Race
1	1 3/16 m	Turf	3+ M	AlwOC
2	1 1/16 m	Turf	3+ M	Claim
3	5 1/2 furlongs	Dirt	2 F	MSW
4	1 1/16 m	Turf	3+ M (S)	On the Bus
5	5 1/2 furlongs	Turf	2 F (S)	MSW
6	5 1/2 furlongs	Dirt	3+ F (S)	Allow
7	7 furlongs	Dirt	3+ M	Allow
8	7 furlongs	Dirt	3+ M	James Marvin-G3
9	6 furlongs	Dirt	2 F	Schuylerville-G3
10	1 1/16 m	Turf	3+ M (S)	MSW

Breaking Down Friday's Stakes Races

On The Bus Stakes (2:36 p.m. ET)

Purse: $100,000

The earliest Stakes race will be the On The Bus annual event worth $100,000.

This stakes event will be one of the longest races of the day—1 1/16 miles on turf—and features the older horses looking to shine. While most of the names won’t be common to the casual fans, the intensity will be through the roof.

With stars in the sport like talented trainer Graham Motion and veteran jockey John R. Velazquez each taking part in the event, this will still have enough mass appeal to draw a serious crowd.

James Marvin Stakes (4:47 p.m. ET)

Purse: $100,000

One of the best races of the day will be the James Marvin Stakes as the three-year-old horses and up get a chance to run on the dirt in a seven-furlong sprint.

Add in the $100,000 purse, and this is a great setup race for the Schuylerville Stakes.

The biggest names to watch in this race will be the D. Wayne Lukas trained Laurie's Rocket or the Joel Rosario-ridden Politicallycorrect, but don’t count out the underdogs.

Schuylerville Stakes (5:20 p.m. ET)

Purse: $150,000

The main event of the evening will be the Schuylerville Stakes with its rich $150,000 purse, and the field will be stacked for the race. Every horse is a contender to win, but Todd Pletcher’s two entrants (Elena Strikes and Yes Liz) are the favorites to steal the show.

The six-furlong length to this event creates a sprint that is amazing to watch.

While there is another race after the G3 stakes event, there is no better way to finish the day than with a race the magnitude of the Schuylerville Stakes.

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One of the best races of the day will be the James Marvin Stakes as the three-year-old horses and up get a chance to run on the dirt in a seven-furlong sprint.

Add in the $100,000 purse, and this is a great setup race for the Schuylerville Stakes.

The biggest names to watch in this race will the D. Wayne Lukas trained Laurie's Rocket or the Joel Rosario-ridden Politicallycorrect, but don’t count out the underdogs.

The main event of the evening will be the Schuylerville Stakes with its rich $150,000 purse, and the field will be stacked for race. Every horse is a contender to win, but Todd Pletcher’s two entrants (Elena Strikes and Yes Liz) are the favorites to steal the show.

The six furlong length to this event creates a sprint that is amazing to watch. While there is another race after the G3 race, there is no better way to finish the day than with a race the magnitude of the Schuylerville Stakes.

 

Follow @Donald_Wood