Lecture: Race Tracks of New York

The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is proud to present, a lecture on the RACE TRACKS OF NEW YORK, with Paul Roberts of Turnberry Consulting, London and Strategic Development Consultant to NYRA. This lecture will take place on Thursday, August 2 at the Fasig-Tipton Humphrey S. Finney Sale Pavilion, 250 East Avenue, at 7pm.  Mr. Roberts will speak on the origins of racing in the Empire State, were American’s first regular race track was laid out. Additionally, it was in New York that the first trans-Atlantic race was run; and it was in New York that Secretariat’s world record for 1 ½ miles was set – a record that many argue may never be broken.  Ever since that first track was laid out on Long Island in 1665, the state has been a foremost site for the Sport of Kings. At the height of racing fever in 1900, for example, Coney Island alone boasted three thoroughbred race tracks – Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay, and Gravesend; no trace of these race courses remain today. Mr. Roberts will bring New York’s rich association with thoroughbred racing to life in this lecture, discussing tracks past and present, many celebrated and many forgotten, and the famed races that were enacted upon their tracks.
The lecture is $10 for SSPF members and $15 for non-members. Registration is encouraged but not required. Mr. Roberts has also recently authored the book The Spa: Saratoga’s Legendary Race Course. Books will be available for sale at the lecture for $22 and at any time through the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation at 112 Spring Street or online store: www.saratogapreservation.org.
In May 2007, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation formed the Saratoga Race Course Coalition to advocate for a thoughtful, balanced approach to the preservation and modernization at the Saratoga Race Course.
In 2008, Paul Roberts of Turnberry Consulting, London, was appointed by New York Racing Association (NYRA) to advise the direction of capital improvements on the Race Course’s three tracks, following the confirmation of NYRA’s new franchise.  The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation and its Historic Saratoga Racecourse Coalition partners, working with NYRA, hope to preserve the historic integrity of the building and landscape features of the Saratoga Race Course.