SARATOGA SPRINGS — The state Labor Department will provide details today of alleged “widespread violations” of minimum wage and overtime laws at Saratoga Race Course.

A Labor Department investigation discovered the alleged violations, especially in the historic track’s backstretch areas where more than 1,000 workers live in dormitories and care for the thoroughbred race horses.

Leo Rosales, a state Labor Department spokesman, said the investigation encompassed the entire 350-acre track complex but said the backstretch is definitely included in the areas where labor law violations have been documented.

“Everybody must make a minimum wage,” Rosales said.

“We are looking at minimum wage and overtime violations,” Rosales said Tuesday evening.

State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith said in a statement that her department’s investigation has uncovered “thousands of dollars in wages” that have not been paid to track workers.

Backstretch workers are the people who walk the expensive thoroughbred horses after workouts and races to cool down the animals. They are the people who maintain and clean the stables and exercise the horses.

Rosales said the Labor Department is focusing on industries across the state where workers are paid, or are supposed to be paid, at least the minimum wage.

The New York Racing Association operates Saratoga Race Course, along with the Aqueduct and Belmont tracks downstate. However, horse owners and trainers hire and pay workers who care for their thoroughbreds in the backstretch. NYRA provides the stables and dormitories.

Rosales would provide no other details about the investigation but said more information would be released at a news conference today.

In another track-related development on Tuesday, the Non-Profit Racing Association Oversight Board approved another racing extension for NYRA, allowing the association to continue to conduct horse races through Sept. 28.

The current extension ends Thursday. The state Racing and Wagering Board is expected to formally grant the new extension at its meeting Thursday.

NYRA continues to be in Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy laws. In February, the state Legislature approved a new, 25-year franchise agreement for NYRA. But this agreement does not become law until NYRA has emerged from bankruptcy.

Matt Anderson, a spokesman for the oversight board, said NYRA is expected to emerge from bankruptcy “within a matter of weeks.”

Anderson said as soon as NYRA emerges from bankruptcy and the new franchise agreement becomes law, the racing extension will terminate and NYRA will operate under the terms of the new 25-year agreement to operate the three thoroughbred horse racing tracks.

The new extension will allow for a “seamless” continuation of racing at both Saratoga Race Course (until Sept. 1) and Belmont Park in September, Anderson said.

Charles Hayward, NYRA president and CEO, said earlier this summer that it has taken NYRA longer to emerge from bankruptcy than many thought. However, the process is continuing without problems and will lead to the new, long-term franchise agreement, Hayward said last month.

Neither Hayward nor other NYRA officials could be reached Tuesday to comment about the Labor Department investigation. There is no racing at the track on Tuesday, and the NYRA offices there were closed. The 36-day racing meet’s last week of racing starts today and runs through Monday, Labor Day.