Great weather could help produce a record opening day crowd today at historic Saratoga Race Course.
The record of 32,913 was set a decade ago on July 24, 2002.
This is the third year that the New York Racing Association has opened its now 40-day Saratoga season on a Friday. The first two were weather nightmares: heavy rain in 2010 and extreme heat and humidity in 2011. Despite the rain, a crowd of 23,178 turned out two years ago to kick off the season. Last summer, the opener drew 25,155.
The forecast for today in Saratoga Springs calls for partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70s.