Saratoga Track Trends
NYRA handicapper Andy Serling analyzes Saratoga track trends and conditions in hopes to uncover insights about potential track biases. This can be a helpful resource for handicappers, as track conditions can change from one day to the next.
2025 July 4th Racing Festival
Sunday, July 6
Fast / Firm
Clear
89
Wind 5 to 15 MPH SW
The courses were very similar to 75, with the Main Track playing fairly, the Outer ( Mellon ) Turf also playing fairly, and the rail being a distinct advantage on the Inner Turf. The rails will be moved for 7/10, zero on the Mellon and nine feet on the Inner.
Saturday, July 5
Fast / Firm
Clear
78
Wind 3 to 8 MPH SW
While we saw inside speed do well on the Main Track, it was likely situational as we saw some runs from well back prove successful. The turf courses are very firm, as evidenced by the final times, with the Mellon/Outer Turf playing fairly with saving ground continuing to be an advantage on the Inner Turf.
Friday, July 4
Fast / Firm
Clear
77
Wind 8 to 15 MPH NW
The surfaces played similarly to 7/3, with speed being an advantage on the Main Track but we did see some runs from the back. The Mellon Turf was fair while there was a significant inside bias on the Inner Turf.
Thursday, July 3
Fast / Firm
Clear
78
Wind 8 to 15 MPH WNW
Forward horses did well on the Main Track, though horses made runs from behind, still it was at least an edge to be forward. The Mellon Turf, rails at 18 feet, played fairly. The rails were at zero on the Inner Turf and there was a clear inside/speed bias. Very little significant movement in those races.
2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival
Sunday, June 8
Fast / Good
Clear
72
Wind 5 to 10 MPH SE
The rail was good on the Main Track, but not a clear advantage, as overall the track appeared to play fairly. There was on race on each turf course, with the rails at zero, and the courses appeared to play fairly.
Saturday, June 7
Sloppy ( sealed ) 1-8; Muddy ( sealed ) 10; Good ( 11 ); Fast ( 13-14 )/ OFF
Rain early, cleared later
65
Wind 5 to 15 MPH South
The track played fairly, despite the changing conditions, throughout the day.
Friday, June 6
Fast ( 1,2,4,5,6 ) Sloppy ( sealed ) 9,10,11,14 / Firm ( 3 ); Good ( 7&8 ); Yielding ( 12&13 )
Cloudy / Rain ( second half )
76
Wind 5 to 15 MPH Variable, higher later
The Main Track played fairly before the rain, while speed and forward horses dominated after the rain. The turf courses seemed to play fairly before and after the rain.
Thursday, June 5
Fast / Firm
Clear
87
Wind 5 to 10 MPH SW
Speed dominated the dirt races. The Inner Turf played fairly. The Mellon was kind to speed, but it may have been situational.
Wednesday, June 4
Fast / Firm
Clear
80
Wind 5 to 15 MPH South
Speed did well on the Main Track, where you might have been best off at least a path off the rail, but some were fairly logical and we did see some closing. Somewhat ambiguous. The rails were out 18 feet on both turf courses, and they appeared to play fairly.
Track Trends Archive
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
Aqueduct Track Trends