Breakfast at the track

For two years now I have been wanting to go to the Saratoga Race Track for breakfast but never do it.  I realized yesterday that Monday was the last day of the racing season which meant we had to go Sunday.  Having been up at 3:00am two days in a row because I opened at work  I really didn't want to set my alarm on Sunday but did it anyway.

We arrived at the track by 7:00am along with a lot of other people!

They get there when the gates open so they can stake out their picnic table for the day even though the first race isn't until 1:00pm

You actually walk across the exercise track

This is the clubhouse end of the grandstand

We got seated right next to the track

It was a beautiful morning & so cool to be so close to the horses

This is the winner's circle & each statue is painted with the winner's colors

This is the trolley that was taking us on a tour of the back stretch

This is Buddy......he's one of the ponies that escort the thoroughbreds when they exercise or to take them to the starting gate

This is a young thoroughbred being taught how to race

These views are from the back stretch with  the grandstand on the other side of the track

There's that beautiful grey horse again

These are the stables & in front of them is the cooling down ring & place where they are bathed

The stating gate.........the horses have to go to "starting gate school" where they are taught how to go in & out of the starting gate.

This is for my both my brothers

It was a very informative tour & we were glad we finally made it there.