News & Notes: Week 5 Events at Saratoga Race Course
Photo by Susie Raisher
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 2024 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course is underway and will continue through Monday, Sept. 2. Racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day. Admission gates will open for live racing at 11 a.m. First post time is 1:10 p.m.
week FIVE stake races
*Mondays and Tuesdays = Dark Days. No racing.
Friday, August 9
Evan Shipman Handicap (NYB):
3&UP, 1 Mile – Dirt, Purse $125,000
Union Avenue Handicap (NYB):
F&M 3&UP, 6 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $125,000
Saturday, August 10
GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap (BC): 3&UP, 1 Mile – Turf, Purse $500,000
GII Saratoga Special: 2YO, 6 1/2 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $200,000
GII Troy: 4&UP, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $300,000
GI Saratoga Derby Invitational: 3YO, 1 3/16 – Turf, Purse $600,000
Galway: F3YO, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $150,000
Sunday, August 11
Mahony: 3YO, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $150,000
Wednesday, August 14
GI Jonathan Sheppard: 4&UP, 2 3/8 – Turf, Purse $150,000
Suzie O’Cain (NYB): F3YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $125,000
Thursday, August 15
Rick Violette (NYB): 3YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $125,000
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, August 9: The Swingin’ Palms
Saturday, August 10: IMI
Sunday, August 11: Twangbusters
Wednesday, August 14: Franklin Micare Band
Thursday, August 15: American Cafe
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 yearwill 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.
Adirondack Day
wednesday, august 14
Presented by the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, the afternoon will include interactive exhibits highlighting the seven New York counties that comprise the Adirondack region, including beverages, cheese samples, apples, reenactors, live music and more as the attractions of the Adirondacks fill the Taste NY Pavilion.
Stewart’s Shops Day at the Races
wednesday, august 14
Stewart’s Shops will celebrate its longstanding partnership with Saratoga by providing free ice cream for fans in the backyard! Complimentary scoops will be available while supplies last.
Fans can also purchase NYRA Bets gift cards and Saratoga season passes at over 100 participating Stewart’s Shops locations.
Thoroughbred Aftercare Day
thursday, august 15
Thoroughbred Aftercare Day pays tribute to an array of organizations involved in finding new homes and careers for retired racehorses. The featured race will be the Rick Violette Stakes, named for the late NYTHA President who was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).
Family Sundaysevery sundayFamily Sundays feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday inside the backyard Family Zone, located near Gate A.