News & Notes: Week 7 Events at Saratoga Race Course

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 2024 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course 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. with exceptions for Travers Days and closing weekend; Travers Day gates will open at 9 a.m. 

Week 7 Stake Races 

*Mondays and Tuesdays = Dark Days. No racing. 

Friday, August 23 

G1 Personal Ensign:
F&M 4&UP, 1 1/8 – Dirt, Purse $500,000

Smart N Fancy: F&M 4&UP, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $150,000

Saturday, August 24

GI Ballerina (BC):
F&M 3&UP, 7 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $500,000

GI Forego: 4&UP, 7 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $500,000

G1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial:
3YO, 7 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $500,000

G1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer (BC): 3&UP, 1 1/2- Turf, Purse $750,000

G1 Travers: 3YO, 1 1/4 – Dirt, Purse $1,250,000

Sunday, August 25

Albany (NYB): 3YO, 1 1/8 – Dirt, Purse $250,000

Fleet Indian (NYB):
F3YO, 1 1/8 – Dirt, Purse $200,000

Funny Cide (NYB) presented by
Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital:
2YO, 6 Furlongs- Dirt, Purse $200,000

Seeking the Ante (NYB):
F2YO, 6 Furlongs- Dirt, Purse $200,000

West Point presented by Trustco Bank (NYB): 3&UP, 1 1/16- Turf, Purse $200,000

Yaddo Handicap (NYB): F&M 3&UP, 1 1/16- Turf, Purse $200,000 

Wednesday, August 28

P. G. Johnson: F2YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $150,000

Thursday, August 29

GIII With Anticipation:
2YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $175,000

TRAVERS DAY

Saturday, August 24

Gates open at 7 a.m. Special first post time of 11:20 a.m. Multiple graded stakes winner Thorpedo Anna will look to take on Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets winner Dornoch and Jim Dandy presented by Mohegan Sun winner Fierceness, among others, in the 155th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers. Thorpedo Anna will try to become the first filly to capture Saratoga’s premier race since 1915.

The DraftKings Travers Day card will feature 14 races including four additional Grade 1 contests: the $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer, a 1 1/2-mile turf route for 3-year-olds and up; the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap, a seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares; the $500,000 Forego at seven furlongs for older horses; and the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial for sophomores sprinting seven furlongs.

fan appreciation week

Wed. August 28 – Mon. September 2

Saratoga will say “Thank you, fans!” with special offers on tickets, food and beverage, and hospitality during the final week of the season.

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. This year’s summer music stage is presented by Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor in Saratoga Springs.

Friday, August 23: The Kirks

Saturday, August 24: ILL Funk, TBA

Sunday, August 25: Get Up Jack

Wednesday, August 28: The Steve Candlen Band

Thursday, August 29: The Jonathan Newell Band

New York Showcase Day

Sunday, August 25

New York-breds take center stage for New York Showcase Day, featuring six stakes for state-breds worth a combined $1.25 million. The card is headlined by the $250,000 Albany, a nine-furlong test for sophomores. Also featured are five $200,000 stakes including the Fleet Indian for sophomore fillies; the West Point Handicap, presented by Trustco Bank, for 3-year-olds and up on turf; the Yaddo Handicap for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up on turf; and a pair of six furlong-sprints for juveniles in the Funny Cide, presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and the Seeking the Ante for fillies.