New York Racing Association and horsemen are nearing agreement on the 2026 racing calendar despite recent reports suggesting otherwise. Currently, only ten race days remain in dispute — four during the Winter meet, four at Saratoga, and two in the Spring meet.
The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) continues advocating for these dates, arguing that a comprehensive year-round racing schedule is essential for the state’s Thoroughbred industry sustainability.
Year-round racing provides critical support for New York’s breeding operations and sustains thousands of jobs across tracks, breeding farms, and related businesses. The schedule particularly benefits horsemen and women who have established permanent roots in New York communities.
Racing dates at NYRA tracks have already decreased by 15% over the past seven years — a concerning trend as historically eliminated dates rarely return to the calendar.
“Cutting dates just isn’t working,” said NYTHA President Tina Bond. “We continue seeing declining field sizes because we haven’t successfully attracted new owners and trainers to New York racing.”
Many New York-based horses now compete at Oaklawn and Kentucky tracks, where purses are more attractive and operational costs lower. Further reduction in racing days seems unlikely to reverse this trend.
NYTHA has presented several alternative proposals for consideration. One initiative mirrors Maryland’s successful Developer Program, which would provide bonuses to owners who invest in breeding or purchasing horses and then launch their racing careers in New York.
Additional proposals include measures to reduce business costs for New York-based operations and strategies to attract horseplayers on traditionally lower-revenue days through reduced takeout rates and other incentives.
“Maybe these proposals will work, maybe they will not,” Bond noted. “But you can’t keep doing what you have been doing — cutting dates — and expect different results.”
New York racing finds itself in a transitional period. Purses have remained static for five years as horsemen and track management anticipated revenue challenges during the Belmont Park redevelopment.
The industry remains optimistic that the new Belmont facility will revitalize New York racing, with assurances that winter meets on the synthetic track will attract new trainers and increase revenue streams.
“We need to give these historic changes the best opportunity to work, not by further contraction, but by finding ways to grow our business and support our year-round horsemen and women,” Bond concluded.
