Displaying items by tag: Winner's Circle

Friday, July 12

• MARIANO RIVERA DAY 
NYRA will host National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and legendary NY Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera at Saratoga as part of Opening Weekend festivities. The visit comes one week before Rivera heads to Cooperstown where he will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the first unanimous selection in history. NYRA will honor Rivera with a special ceremony in the Winner’s Circle in recognition of the all-time Major League Baseball saves leader. Secure your spot at NYRA.com/Rivera.

• TASTE NY: CRAFT BEER & CIDER
Every Friday beginning July 12
Taste NY: Craft Beer & Cider will allow guests the opportunity to sample numerous craft beers and ciders produced exclusively by New York State breweries and cideries. Live music will accompany the tasting each Friday from noon to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Guests will enjoy five samples for $5. Must be 21 years or older to participate.

Saturday, July 13

• SARATOGA COUNTY EOC FOOD DRIVE
NYRA will welcome the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) for its annual food and essential goods drive. Fans who donate at least three non-perishable items at the Community Outreach Booth will receive a free Saratoga baseball cap, while supplies last, and will be entered to win tickets to the 150th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers and other great prizes.

• FASHION SATURDAYS
Every Saturday beginning July 13
Designed to showcase the tradition of style in thoroughbred racing, the weekly event will feature women’s and men’s fashion apparel from local retailers such as The Pink Paddock, Miss Scarlett Boutique and The National, as well as a selection of home décor and jewelry items. The event will be held each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. 

• Madison VanDenburg to Perform
The 17-year-old singer from Cohoes,  who thrilled viewers nationwide with her vocal talents on the popular singing competition “American Idol,” will entertain fans at the track. VanDenburg will perform at the Don Julio stage, adjacent to guest services, following the day’s first race at approximately 1:10 p.m. Additional performances will follow throughout the afternoon.

• WOODFORD RESERVE BOURBON SATURDAYS
Every Saturday beginning July 13
Fans will be invited to enjoy specialty drinks and selections from Woodford Reserve at the Jim Dandy Bar each Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. 

• KETEL ONE SATURDAYS
Every Saturday beginning July 13
Fans are invited to sample the new Ketel One Botanicals from 3 to 5 p.m. each Saturday outside the entrance to The Stretch. 

Sunday, July 14

• Saratoga Picnic Cooler Giveaway
Fans will enjoy the first giveaway of the 2019 season: a collapsible, red picnic cooler featuring the Saratoga logo emblazoned in white, presented by NYRA Bets. The picnic cooler is free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season pass and season ticket holders are guaranteed a Saratoga premium giveaway on the day of the giveaway so long as they are present at Saratoga Race Course and redeem the giveaway by the designated time.

• 28th ANNUAL HAT CONTEST PRESENTED BY MOET & CHANDON AND HAT SATIONA! BY DEI
Fans will compete for great prizes in the 28th annual Hat Contest which features three categories: Kreative Kids, Fashionably Saratoga and Uniquely Saratoga. Registration begins at noon under the grandstand with the contests taking place after the second, third and fourth races. 

 • BERKSHIRE BANK FAMILY SUNDAYS
Every Sunday beginning July 14
The popular kid-oriented weekly event will feature a beach theme during Opening Weekend with free activities such as a surf simulator, sand art station and hermit crab racing. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion.

• Low Roller Challenge
Every Sunday beginning July 14
Every Sunday will include the Low Roller Challenge which allows aspiring handicappers the opportunity to experience the thrill of tournament play for $40, with $30 going towards live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Entrants will also have an opportunity to qualify for the Saratoga Challenge on Friday, August 9. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Wednesday, July 17

• Saratoga Visit Day
Experience the Spa’s best attractions during the first Saratoga Visit Day in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Guests can learn about the cultural attractions in Saratoga Springs to complement their visit to Saratoga Race Course. Participating organizations and attractions include: Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery; National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame; Saratoga Arts District; Saratoga Automobile Museum; Saratoga Performing Arts Center; Saratoga Spa State Park; Saratoga Springs History Museum; and Yaddo Gardens.

NOTE: Dark Days are Monday and Tuesday
Season admission passes may be purchased at NYRA.com/Saratoga and at Stewart’s Shops locations. A season pass provides admission to all 40 days of racing at Saratoga Race Course. The cost for a 2019 Grandstand season pass is $50. A Clubhouse season pass is $75. Season passes do not include reserved seating. For more information visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

Front photo was taken Monday, Aug. 21 at 2:41 p.m., when the eclipse reached its (local) peak of 66 percent, in the Winner’s Circle at the Saratoga Race Course. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos. Gallery photos were taken by Nancy Castillo of Wild Birds Unlimited; and a scene with staff and residents at the Prestwick Chase senior living community on Saratoga Boulevard, who had an Eclipse 2017 party outside at the pavilion.The community and guests were treated to decorations, live music, fun food and snacks, including moon pies and rocket ice pops. Photo provided. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Multitudes of locals stopped whatever they were doing Monday afternoon to observe or photograph the partial eclipse over upstate New York.

Nancy Castillo, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited shop in Wilton, explained that she had captured a series of images of the eclipse at home with her smartphone, using a spotting scope fitted with a solar filter.

Castillo then shared the pictures on social media for the benefit of people who were unable to see the eclipse.

“We have lots of customers that, maybe, weren’t able to get out there,” she said.

Castillo added that Wild Birds Unlimited is accepting donations of special eclipse glasses as a means to benefit school children in Asian and South American countries ahead of a 2019 solar eclipse that will be viewable there. The group Astronomers Without Borders is leading that effort.    

People in upstate New York will be able to observe a 98 percent “totality” solar eclipse in April 2024, according to Castillo.

The residents of Carbondale, Illinois have the good fortune of enjoying 100 percent “totality” in both 2017 and 2024 because of their geographic location, she reported.

“It’s pretty cool,” Castillo said.

For more information, visit the website www.saratogasprings.wbu.com.