Racing could use a dose of Saratoga right about now. Following a turbulent Triple Crown season overshadowed by a high number of equine fatalities, a rocky rollout of the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit’s sanction program, and the never-ending saga between Churchill Downs and Bob Baffert, the opening of Saratoga’s 40-day season Thursday is a welcome event for the industry. “Saratoga’s always a breath of fresh air for horse racing,” NYRA CEO and president Dave O’Rourke said. “We got a nice opening card, we’re looking to kick it off on a strong foot.” Strong would be a good way to describe business at Saratoga in 2022. The track handled a record $878,211,963 during its 40-day meet, aided by fabulous weather that enabled 199 turf races to be run, the fourth most in track history. Only 17 races were taken off the grass last summer. Strong would be a good way to describe entries for the first two cards drawn. There were 109 horses entered for Thursday’s 10-race card, followed by 95 for Friday. According to racing secretary Keith Doleshel, the barn area will be full this summer. Whether it be New York outfits sending more horses upstate or the influx of out-of-towners, the approximate 1,800 stalls will be occupied. :: DRF's 2023 Saratoga headquarters: Previews, past performances, picks, recaps, news, and more. “I think there is more interest,” Doleshel said. “Saratoga’s a place where owners want to be, the purse money is obviously very strong. Thankfully, right now it’s as full as it could be at this stage of the game.” New outfits include Gustavo Delgado, Jeff Hiles, John Ortiz, Carlos David, and Gregg Sacco, according to Doleshel. Trainers such as Kenny McPeek and Brendan Walsh have more horses on the grounds than in previous meets. Richard Dutrow Jr., reinstated this spring after a 10-year ban, began training at the Belmont meet and will have horses at Saratoga, as will Gary Contessa, who left New York a few years ago but has returned with a 10-horse stable comprised mostly of 2-year-olds. Chad Brown will be favored to win his sixth trainer’s title in eight years. Todd Pletcher, a 14-time leading trainer here, figures to be his chief rival. Linda Rice, the leading trainer here in 2009, is coming off the Belmont spring meet title, her fourth consecutive NYRA circuit meet title. The jockey colony, as usual, is loaded. Brothers Jose and Irad Ortiz Jr. have combined to win seven of the last eight meets. Luis Saez, who won the meet in 2021, is back from Kentucky along with Tyler Gaffalione. Javier Castellano, who won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont on different horses, looks to continue his resurgence. Flavien Prat finished in a tie for second in the standings last summer in his first meet here. Joel Rosario set a single-meet record with 12 graded stakes wins in 2022. Many of the best horses in training are expected to show up this summer. Cody’s Wish, arguably the best horse in training having won nine of his last 10 starts, is pointing to the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Aug. 5, his first try at 1 1/8 miles since his second career start in 2021. :: Visit the Saratoga Handicapping Store for Past Performances, Clocker Reports, Picks, Betting Strategies, and more. The Travers, the marquee race of any Saratoga meet, will be run this year on Aug. 26. It has produced the 3-year-old champion each of the last two years and is likely to play a pivotal role in determining this year’s Eclipse Award winner. The connections of Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo have already announced their intent to run in the Travers. Preakness winner National Treasure is possible as well. National Treasure is trained by Baffert, who also has the exciting prospect Arabian Knight and recent Los Alamitos Derby winner Reincarnate possible for the Travers, a race Baffert has won three times. “The 3-year-old division is exciting, it’s kind of a wide-open division. Hopefully, all roads point to the Travers whether they run in the Jim Dandy or the Haskell,” Doleshel said. Nest, last year’s champion 3-year-old filly, is expected to make her 4-year-old debut on July 23 in the Grade 3 Shuvee, where she’ll meet current division leader Clairiere. In Italian, who won last year’s Grade 1 Diana, will seek a repeat victory in that race and a fifth career Grade 1 score on Saturday. There will be 71 stakes – including 17 Grade 1 flat stakes – worth a total of $20.8 million offered during the meet. After a four-day opening week, racing will be conducted Wednesdays through Sundays thereafter with closing day being Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4. :: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.  Admission to Saratoga is $7 when purchased at least 24 hours in advance or $10 on race day. One price gains patrons access to the clubhouse and grandstand. Saratoga will have a new racecaller this year in Frank Mirahmadi, who takes over for John Imbriale, who only calls part of the year for NYRA. Mirahamadi has called at some of this country’s most iconic venues, but when it comes to Saratoga, he gets it. “Every day is a special day, that’s the beauty of it,” he said. And it couldn’t come at a better time. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.