Moose creates spectacle at race course

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., June 15 (UPI) -- Police in New York state Monday guarded a moose that wandered into the parking area of Saratoga Race Course.

Saratoga Springs police officer Ed Lewis said a resident first reported spotting the moose wandering downtown at 3:45 a.m. A second call at 6:20 a.m. placed the moose near the popular race course, the Albany (N.Y.) Times Union reported.

Lewis said the animal wandered into the executive parking area of the Saratoga Race Course and police officers worked with representatives of the New York Racing Association to trap the animal in one of the racecourse's fenced-in areas.

He said an officer from Ray Brook, N.Y., hoped to tranquilize the moose so it can be safely moved from the facility. Police officers are keeping an eye on the animal until then to protect it from curious onlookers.

A crowd of about 50 people had gathered gaze at the moose as it wandered around the race course.