How to resolve AdBlock issue? New York Racing Association officials and Saratoga 150 committee members announced this week that Disney star and Dancing With the Stars runner-up Zendaya will give a free concert at this year’s open house event at the Saratoga Race Track.
Rodnell Workman, NYRA vice president and chief marketing officer, said NYRA officials and members of the Saratoga 150 committee wanted to make this year’s open house extra special by putting on an event that would be family friendly, fun and memorable.
“The Saratoga meet is [NYRA’s] signature element,” said Workman. “Every year Saratoga is our biggest meet and it has become an experience and the fabric of the horse meets and of the community, so when we thought of the open house, we thought of putting on a great concert.”
The concert will be held on the apron of the race track—seating will be in the Grandstand and Club House, with limited standing room.
Zendaya stars in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up as Rocky Blue. She has starred in two films and played one of the lead roles in the film Frenemies. The popular tween star has also been the voice of Fern in the Pixie Hollow Games. She is also a pop star, signing a deal with Hollywood Records last year and she has also released a couple of singles with Bella Thorne called “Watch Me” and “Contagious Love”.
The open house will be Sunday, July 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All the traditional festivities will be featured including pony rides, putting contests and exhibition races. In addition, there will be an equine-themed art contest for kids with the opportunity to win a named race and be able to present a trophy in the winner’s circle during one of this summer’s meets.
“At the open house the bumping and pounding won’t be just the horse’s hooves,” said Workman. “Zendaya will have a fun entourage of dancers and singers.”
Mayor Scott Johnson said he was excited at all the events happening this year in celebration of the race track’s 150th year, noting that the summer season in Saratoga is the place to be.
“We all know how exciting the track is such as the dead heat at last year’s Traver’s,” said the mayor. “I think this year is going to be a wonderful season—unsurpassed.”
Charles Wait, chairman of the 150 committee, added that there were several signature events for people to enjoy this summer, noting that the first event, depending on who asked, was attended by several thousand people.
“If you ask a conservative banker, he’d tell you three to five thousand,” said Wait. “If you ask someone from the Chamber, they’d tell you 10 to 15 thousand, so let’s just say a lot of people turned out and had a good time.”
Workman pointed out that the open house serves as a fundraiser for several local not-for-profits, adding that it was the organizations’ chance to do something fun for the community while also raising money.
“This is a great opportunity to have fun and help the local non-profits—you can say we all have contagious love for this year’s open house,” said Workman, poking fun at Zendaya’s song with Bella Thorne.
Free advance reservation tickets for the Grandstand and Club House can be secured through Ticketmaster, which has reduced the handling fee to $1.50 to match the Saratoga 150 celebration. Tickets are limited to four per order. There will be limited standing room only on the day of the concert.
