News & Notes: Week 6 Events at Saratoga Race Course
*Key: GI= Grade 1 Stakes | GII= Grade 2 Stakes | GIII= Grade 3 Stakes
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 six stake races
*Mondays and Tuesdays = Dark Days. No racing.
Friday, August 16
Skidmore: 2YO, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $150,000
Union Avenue Handicap (NYB): F&M 3&UP
6 Furlongs- Dirt, Purse $125,000
Saturday, August 17
GI Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales:
F3YO, 1 1/4 – Dirt, Purse $600,000
GII Lake Placid: F3YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $200,000
Sunday, August 18
Bolton Landing: F2YO, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $150,000
Even Shipman Handicap (NYB): 3&UP, 1 Mile – Dirt, Purse $125,000
Wednesday, August 21
John’s Call (R): 4&UP, 1 5/8 – Turf, Purse $135,000
Thursday, August 22
GII Ballston Spa: F&M 4&UP, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $300,000
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 16: Rodeo Barons
Saturday, August 17: Big Medicine
Sunday, August 18: Alta Havana
Wednesday, August 21: Hot Vox Trio
Thursday, August 22: The Hawthornes
TASTE NY PAVILION
Every Thursday-Sunday
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.
Trucker Hat Giveaway
Friday, August 16
Alabama weekend gets off to a festive start with the third giveaway of the summer: a red and white Saratoga Trucker hat. This one-size-fits-all cap features a white Saratoga logo embroidered on a red patch above a red brim, with a white mesh wrap around the back.
Lustgarten Day
Saturday, August 17
Lustgarten Day honors the legacy of longtime NYRA trainer Dominic Galluscio with a day to support the Lustgarten Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance scientific and medical research related to pancreatic cancer. Many of the sport’s most prominent trainers will sign autographs for fans at the Jockey Silks Porch from 11:30am-12:30pm with suggested donations to benefit the Lustgarten Foundation.
Military Appreciation Day
Thursday, August 22
Presented by Rivers Casino.
Military Appreciation Day pays tribute to active military members and veterans in appreciation of their sacrifice and service to our nation with free general admission (proper ID required). All veterans and active-duty military will be honored with a special ceremony in the Winner’s Circle.
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.
SARATOGA BREAKFAST AND BREEDING FARM TOUR:
Every Wednesday-Saturday and select Sundays
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.