After winning the first race of the day aboard McAfee, jockey John Velazquez refueled in between races with water, orange juice and salt.

“Orange juice and salt. That’s it. That’s like having a Gatorade but much healthier,” said Velazquez, on his way back to the jockey room.

That’s just one of the ways Velazquez, his fellow jockeys and horses stayed hydrated and cool during the opening day of the July 4th Racing Festival. It also marks the start of the 46-day summer meet at the Saratoga Race Course.

“We’re trying to stay hydrated, obviously the water,” Velazquez said.

Over in the backyard, the strategy was a little different for fans like Daniel White, here for his 15th straight opening day.

“Right here, and we’re allowed to. This is it. Right here,” said White, after pulling a beer out of the cooler.

Besides the adult beverages, the shade and water were just about everyone’s best friend on Friday. Luckily, there were also plenty of picnics available all day for those who ventured to the Spa.

“Saratoga, years ago, was the August place to be. Now it’s the summer place to be,” said White, who was also attended the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival last month.

“The crowd is usually bigger,” noted Paul Santandera, another regular attendee for opening day. “And it really doesn’t. I think because of that anticipation it might be canceled. But we’re here, and we’ll enjoy today.”

Even though the extreme heat warning, issued by the National Weather Service, continued into Friday, the 11-race card went off as scheduled.

Patrick McKenna, vice president for communications for NYRA, says they were in constant dialogue with the New York State Gaming Commission, racetrack veterinarians and trainers, before making this decision.

“We have a team of veterinarians that are on site, on the racetrack, in the paddock, on the horse paths, to ensure that those horses are safe and ready to run in terms of getting them to track remain relatively,” McKenna said.

This will be the final year of the July Fourth Racing Festival residency at Saratoga before returning to the new Belmont Park next year. It will continue Saturday with another 11 races on the card, which includes the Belmont Derby. The post time for the first race will be 12:35 p.m.