The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Monday, August 26 from 10 a.m. until noon, at the college’s coordinating center, 2 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs.
Experts will talk about the history of Saratoga Race Course, horses and racing and information will be provided about the history of Saratoga Springs.
“As a proud member of the greater Saratoga Springs community and as one of the city’s largest employers, Empire State College is delighted to host this event in celebration of 150 years of thoroughbred racing,” said Merodie A. Hancock, president of the college.
The featured speakers include Sharon B. Smith, former news reporter and anchor who moved into sports and horse racing journalism at ESPN.
She also worked on racing broadcasts for several years for NBC Sports. Since leaving television, Smith has written half a dozen books including works on racing, horse care and training, and she will share her extensive knowledge and experience on horses and racing.
College alumna John Weber ‘09, who graduated from the college’s Northeast Center with a degree in Cultural Studies and was a backstretch tour guide for 13 years, will talk about the history of Saratoga Race Course.
The college will provide both a brochure on the history of Saratoga Race Course, Union Avenue and Congress Park and a printed guide to pari-mutuel wagering, which guest may browse as they walk to the track.