News & Notes: Week 1 Events at Saratoga Race Course

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced post times and the lineup of attractions, entertainment and events for the 2024 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course.

Highlighted by the 155th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on Saturday, August 24 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Saturday, August 3, Saratoga will open on Thursday, July 11 and run through Monday, September 2.

Following the four-day opening week, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

First post will be 1:10 p.m. EDT every day except Saturdays, when first post will be 12:35 p.m. DraftKings Travers Day will feature a special first post of 11:40 a.m.

Admission gates will open for live racing at 11 a.m. for all but DraftKings Travers Day when gates will open at 9 a.m.

Breakfast at Saratoga, driven by CDTA, will get underway daily at 7 a.m. through 9:30 a.m., excluding DraftKings Travers Day and Labor Day. Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a buffet breakfast against the backdrop of morning training as well as claim the free picnic tables in the Rivers Casino Backyard.

The Ticketmaster Box Office at Saratoga Race Course will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Saturday, July 6 through Sunday, July 14. The box office, located at Gate A on Union Avenue, will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during all live racing days of the summer meet (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).

The 2024 summer meet will feature the following events lineup:

opening weekend

Thursday, July 11 – Sunday, July 14

The 2024 Saratoga summer meet will get underway on Thursday, July 11 with the traditional running of the Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies, followed by the first Grade 1 of the season, the Diana, on Saturday, July 13. The four-day annual celebration will be highlighted by live musical entertainment.

 

week one stake races

*Mondays and Tuesdays = Dark Days. No racing.

FRIDAY, JULY 12

Coronation Cup: F3YO, 5 1/2 – Turf, Purse $150,000

The Wilton: F3YO, 1 Mile – Dirt, Purse $135,000

Saturday, july 13

GI Diana: F&M 4&UP, 1 1/8 – Turf, Purse $500,000

GIII Kelso: 4&UP, 1 Mile – Turf, Purse $175,000

GIII Sanford: 2YO, 6 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $175,000

sunday, july 14

GIII Quick Call presented by

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation:

3YO, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $175,000

wednesday, july 17

GI A.P. Smithwick Memorial (Steeplechase):

4&UP, 2 3/8 – Turf, Purse $150,000

NYSSS Statue of Liberty Division (R):

F3YO, 1 Mile – Turf, Purse $150,000

thursday, july 18

NYSSS Cab Calloway Division (R):

3YO, 1 Mile – Turf, Purse $150,000

purdy’s summer
concert stage
The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live musical performances each afternoon of the season from popular local and regional bands.

Friday, July 12: Soul City Band
Saturday, July 13: 18 Strings of Trouble
Sunday, July 14: Dealt the Blues
Wednesday, July 17: Garland Nelson Band
Thursday, July 18: The Orion Kribs Band

TASTE NY PAVILION:

Every Thursday-Sunday
beginning July 11

New York-made food and beverages will be available for sample and purchase at the Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, where fans can enjoy New York craft beers, wines, spirits, cheese and chocolate (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages). Featured products hail from Montauk to the Finger Lakes and the Hudson Valley to the Adirondacks as a showcase of the state’s robust food and beverage industry.

SARATOGA BREAKFAST AND BREEDING FARM TOUR:

Every Wednesday-Saturday and select Sundays, beginning July 12

The popular Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours, which were first introduced in 2022, will be expanded this summer to meet growing demand. The program will be offered Wednesday through Saturday (excludes July 13, Aug. 24), plus select Sundays, beginning Friday, July 12 through Saturday, August 31. This year will feature newcomer Sugar Plum Farm to supplement incumbents Song Hill Thoroughbreds and Old Tavern Farm.
Fans will enjoy a buffet breakfast during morning training at Saratoga Race Course before boarding a CDTA trolley to that day’s breeding farm before returning to the Spa for the afternoon’s races.
Tickets must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com. Each tour accommodates up to 52 guests. Admission to Saratoga Race Course is included in the package.
BERKSHIRE BANK HORSE SENSE
Every Friday-Sunday
beginning July 12
Fans of all ages can pet a retired thoroughbred every Friday through Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at Berkshire Bank Horse Sense. The educational exhibit also includes fun facts about the life and career of a thoroughbred. The family-friendly attraction is located inside Gate A and is presented by Berkshire Bank.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE RAIL OF THE 1863 CLUB
Every Sunday beginning July 14
Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space at the 1863 Club. Tickets start at $105 and include admission, a table seat for the day, brunch buffet, soft drinks, Post Parade program book, tax and gratuity. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or online at Ticketmaster.com
HANDICAPPING SEMINAR AND MEET-AND-GREET
Every Sunday beginning July 14
Enjoy your Sunday at the races in the Paddock Suite, learning betting strategies and tips from expert handicappers. Tickets start at $75 and include admission, Post Parade program book and a table seat for the day within the climate-controlled, shared suite overlooking the historic saddling area. Fans will also be treated to a meet-and-greet with Saratoga Race Course’s track announcer Frank Mirahmadi. Tickets can be purchased online through Fevo.
FAMILY SUNDAYS AT THE FAMILY FUN ZONE
Every Sunday beginning July 14
Family Sundays will feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday inside the Family

Zone, located near Gate A at the Top of the Stretch. Each week will feature a different theme, including Beach Day, Christmas in July, Day at the Zoo, Summer Olympics,
Carnival, the Wild, Wild West and NYRA mascot Gallop’s Birthday on August 18.