A full slate of entertainment and family-friendly events are set for the July 4th Racing Festival, which will be held Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, and serve as Opening Weekend of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Thursday.Saratoga's Opening Weekend festivities will align with the nationwide celebration commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.“Opening Weekend at Saratoga Race Course is one of the most anticipated events of the summer in New York, and this year provides a special opportunity to celebrate both the return of the summer racing season and the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. “We look forward to welcoming back fans to one of America's most revered sports venues during a festive and family-friendly July 4th holiday weekend.”Headlined by the GI Belmont Derby and GI Belmont Oaks on Independence Day, the July 4th Racing Festival will include six graded events among 10 stakes races held over three days of competition.For more information about Saratoga Race Course and the 2026 Saratoga Summer Meet, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.The post Opening Weekend at Saratoga to Celebrate America 250 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.