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

Sunday, July 13

Track Condition: Fast/Yielding
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 84
Wind: 5 to 15 South

It's possible the rail was still an advantage but overall the track played fairly. There was one turf race, on the Mellon course, and it likely played fairly. While listed as Yielding, it may have been closer to Good. 

Saturday, July 12

Track Condition: Sloppy ( sealed ) 1-5; Muddy ( Sealed ) 6-7, 9-10, 12/ Yielding
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 84
Wind: 5 to 10 MPH SSE

The rail was a significant advantage on the Main Track, with even successful closers spending a significant portion of the race on the rail, for the most part. There was one race on each turf course which likely played out fairly. Hard to know. Both courses were listed as Yielding but the Inner played closer to Good with the Mellon ( outer ) on the Firm side of Good.

Friday, July 11

Track Condition: Fast/Good
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 88
Wind: Wind 5 to 10 MPH SSE

After Thursday night's wild storm, which dumped close to an inch and a half of rain in a short period of time, we were off the turf except the Stake, which was run on the Mellon ( Outer ) Turf course. The course was listed as Good but seemed to be closer to Firm. The Main Track played fairly. Much of the effective running was done outside, but enough horses ran effectively inside to suggest the track was fair.

Thursday, July 10

Track Condition: Fast / Firm
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 83
Wind: Wind 5 to 10 MPH SSW

The Main Track played fairly. There were times it looked like it might have been better off the rail, but the 3rd winner closed from last on the inside, which makes that unlikely. The rails were at zero on the Mellon/Outer Turf and nine feet on the Inner, and both courses played fairly. 

Sunday, July 6

Track Condition: Fast / Firm
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 89
Wind: 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

Track Condition: Fast / Firm
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 78
Wind: 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

Track Condition: Fast / Firm
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 77
Wind: 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

Track Condition: Fast / Firm
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 78
Wind: 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.

Sunday, June 8

Track Condition: Fast/Good
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 72
Wind: 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 they courses appeared to play fairly.

Saturday, June 7

Track Condition: Sloppy ( sealed ) 1-8; Muddy ( sealed ) 10; Good ( 11 ); Fast ( 13-14 )/ OFF
Weather: Rain early, cleared later
Temperature: 65
Wind: Wind 5 to 15 MPH South

The track played fairly, despite the changing conditions, throughout the day.

Friday, June 6

Track Condition: Fast ( 1,2,4,5,6 ) Sloppy ( sealed ) 9,10,11,14  / Firm ( 3 ); Good ( 7&8 ); Yielding ( 12&13 )
Weather: Cloudy / Rain (second half)
Temperature: 76
Wind: 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

Track Condition: Fast/Firm
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 87
Wind: 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

Track Condition: Fast/Firm
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 80
Wind: 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.

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