Headlines

Saratoga summer 2026 to feature expanded STAR kids program

Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack • Jul 2 2026

In addition to a slate of family friendly events, the summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will feature an expanded schedule for the Students of Thoroughbred Racing (NYRA STAR) program, which will now be offered every Thursday through Sunday beginning July 9 and continuing through September 6.

New in 2026

New for 2026, NYRA STAR members will receive:

complimentary walking tour of the historic Oklahoma training track, courtesy of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
STAR x Saratoga branded kid’s water bottle as the program’s 2026 annual gift

As NYRA STAR marks its third consecutive year, the program has steadily grown in popularity since first being introduced.

Expanded Tours

This season the program will feature expanded operating days and tours of the Saratoga Paddock and Winner’s Circle with tours now running Thursdays through Sundays during Races 1 through 5, beginning July 9.

Backstretch Tours will also expand to include Thursdays and will now be offered Thursdays through Sundays, beginning July 10 at 10 a.m.

NYRA STAR is designed to give children ages 12 and under, and their families, insider access into the world of thoroughbred racing. Participants experience the sport through exclusive on-track events, educational opportunities and kid-friendly communications designed to ignite their interest in horses and excitement for the sport of thoroughbred racing.

Join for Free

Membership for NYRA STAR is free of charge. Registration can be completed online at NYRA.com/STAR or in person at the NYRA STAR booth in the Saratoga Family Zone.

New NYRA STAR members can join at any time but must visit the NYRA STAR booth in the Family Zone on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays beginning July 9 to receive their printed ID card and lanyard. The NYRA STAR booth will be open from noon to 3 p.m. throughout the summer meet.

STAR Member Benefits

Benefits of joining NYRA STAR include:

personalized membership identification card and lanyard featuring a photo of each participant
paddock tour and Winner’s Circle experiences
STAR x Saratoga branded kid’s water bottle annual gift
private jockey meet-and-greet opportunities
exclusive kid-friendly email communications

Paddock tours and Winner’s Circle experiences are available Thursdays to Sundays for up to four NYRA STAR members per time slot. Each NYRA STAR member may bring as many as two guests on the tour, one of whom must be a parent or legal guardian.

Lasting approximately 30 minutes and departing from the entrance to the paddock, the experiential tour will be led by a knowledgeable guide, proceed through the paddock as the horses are saddled prior to “riders up,” and conclude in the Winner’s Circle to watch the assigned race.

Personalized Backstretch Tram Tours

STAR participants may also register for a personalized backstretch tram tour, which will be held every Thursday through Sunday beginning July 10 (excluding DraftKings Travers Day). The backstretch tour will depart at approximately 10 a.m. from Gate C. Please note that infants and strollers are not permitted on backstretch tours.