Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. Opened in 1863, it is often considered to be the oldest major sporting venue of any kind in the country,[2] but is actually the fourth oldest racetrack in the US (after 3rd oldest Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack,[3] 2nd oldest Fair Grounds Race Course,[4] and oldest Freehold Raceway[5]). In 1857 the Empire Race Course was opened on an island in the Hudson River near Albany,[6] but was in operation only a short time. read more