You act like you know what you are talking about, but you don't. The racetrack was established in 1864. (IT is called Saratoga, not Saratoga Springs.)
It is true that almost no one speaks of going up to Saratoga Springs, but that name derives from the local springs that were near the old town of Saratoga, now Schuylerville.
ML/NJ
I don't think he meant the track name was changed to Saratoga Springs, but rather the town where the track is (in order to attract tourists). "Springs" does make it sound more like a vacation town.
naaah - my family been here since 1797 in the mountains and 1640 on the plain and it`s always been SARATOGA - chew on that onion !
To my understanding, you almost - almost - have it right.
As not only a RevWar fan but a racing fan, but not experienced personally in anything in that geography, I’ve run across a few tidbits about this place. I went to Saratoga Racecourse 1 August in 2006 and the next day, to the battle site.
Saratoga Springs, the city proper, was indeed named for ITS springs; “Schuylerville” was not noted for that AFAIK. That is how SS got famous FIRST - healthful spring water for healing powers, not racing. The racing followed soon, though. It was NOT some “advertizing propaganda” created by racing people; it already existed because of the springs there, which you can still see today, including on the track grounds as well as their beautiful park.
My understanding about the battle site from the visitor’s center, however - which is close but not THAT close to SS and always previously caused me some consternation, was that the name was changed or some such, probably Schuylerville. I’m gathering from info here that indeed, “Saratoga” by itself is a “town” as in what others up north call “townSHIPS”. Sort of a “county” encompassing a bunch of land and several genuine towns (small city) with buildings, etc. Schuylerville being perhaps the closest genuine town.