84th season at Saratoga Harness kicks off next week

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Saratoga Casino Hotel announced the return of live harness racing for its 84th season on Sunday, 2 February. The 2025 schedule at the Spa oval will consist of 150 racing programs running through mid-December.

This year, horsemen will compete for over $17 million in purses. The track will also host nine New York Sire Stakes programs featuring the best New York bred horses in the state racing for an additional $1.5 million in purses. The premier event of the season will be the 16th Annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace on Saturday, 19 July. With a purse of $250,000 the Gerrity is expected to attract a field of top pacers.

Father and son, Mark and Brett Beckwith, will be looking to defend their 2024 training and driver titles. Mark trained 182 winners in 2024, a record number of wins for a trainer in a single season, and 21-year-old driver, Brett, crossed the finish line first 306 times last year.

“We are looking forward to another great season of racing,” said Race Secretary, Peter Iovino. “The influx of young reinsmen is bringing a new level of excitement to harness racing at Saratoga Casino Hotel.”

The month of February will feature some exciting promotions including up to 10% bonuses on all winning wagers on Saratoga Harness races for SaratogaBets account holders while playing on property through the SaratogaBets mobile app or any self-service betting terminal. Interested horseplayers can log on to www.saratogabets.com to sign up for a free account.

A wheel spin drawing will be held on Sunday, 2 February where all customers in attendance can fill out an entry form in the racing program for a chance to spin the prize wheel to win a $25-$100 free bet. One winner will be selected after races 2-10.

On Sunday, 16 February, the first 400 customers will receive a long sleeve T-shirt followed by another chance to spin the prize wheel on Presidents’ Day, Monday, 17 February.

The winter, spring and fall schedule will include matinee racing on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and select Wednesdays, post time 12pm. The summer live racing schedule will be Mondays and Tuesdays, post time 12pm and Saturday evenings with a post time 6:45pm.

https://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article/84th-season-at-saratoga-harness-kicks-off-next-week-258989