Report: NYRA to discuss longer Saratoga meet for 2019

It’s not something often discussed: change at historic Saratoga?

The New York Racing Association will at a Thursday meeting consider expansion of the 2019 Saratoga meet, according to a report from Chris Onorato of NBC affiliate WNYT News Channel 13.

Saratoga would still run 40 days during the summer, but the potential change would stretch the dates from earlier in July through the traditional Labor Day weekend stop point by adding a second dark day to the calendar each week.

Currently, racing at Saratoga only breaks on Tuesdays.

According to multiple sources, proposed expansion of Saratoga racing season will be key topic of NYRA board meeting this AM in NYC. One source tells me meet would run 7/11-9/2 with Mondays and Tuesdays dark. Still 40 days of racing at the Spa. @WNYT

— Chris Onorato (@chrisonorato) November 29, 2018

Change, of course, could make an impact on the Saratoga community, with two dark days giving reason for visitors to go elsewhere during the meet, and an additional week-plus adding to the cost of stabling there for horsemen.

Noted New York-based owner Roddy Valente was the first to hint publicly at the change this week when he sparked conversation about lack of finalized 2019 race dates.

NYRA not coming out with the 2019 calendar only proves one thing they don’t have the eight weeks finalized for Saratoga. Get ready for eight weeks at the Spa… I hope they can be smart and have Travers day be the last weekend of the meet.

— Roddy (@RoddyValente) November 27, 2018

According to BloodHorse, another factor to consider in calendar delays is a request for proposal to remodel Belmont Park that’s due this week. Per the report, construction could for two years shift some of Belmont’s fall meet dates to Aqueduct. It is not expected to affect the Belmont Stakes’ traditional race date or location.

Significant changes are expected at Belmont both in and outside of racing with the New York Islander hockey team relocating there to a new 18,000-seat arena. Meanwhile, improvements to the racetrack could lead to winter racing dates at Belmont.