Friday, August 23
• NEW YORK SHOWCASE DAY
Travers Eve will be dedicated to New York-breds during New York Showcase Day at Saratoga Race Course. The afternoon’s card will feature six stakes exclusively for New York-breds, including the $250,000 Albany for 3-year-olds, the $200,000 Funny Cide for budding New York-bred stars, and the $150,000 West Point presented by Trustco Bank. In honor of West Point, the National Anthem will be performed by The Knight Caps, the official glee club of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
• TASTE NY: CRAFT BEER & CIDER
The Friday edition of the popular weekly tasting event will offer guests the opportunity to sample craft beers and ciders produced exclusively in New York State. 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.
• AT THE POST LIVE WITH ANDY SERLING
Join NYRA’s Andy Serling as he talks with NYRA CEO and President Dave O’Rourke and record six-time Travers winner and Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano during a special Travers Eve edition of At The Post Live with Andy Serling from The Parting Glass in downtown Saratoga Springs at 8 p.m. The show, which is presented by NYRA Bets, airs on ESPN Radio 104.5 FM “The Team” and features interviews with racing industry newsmakers discussing the Saratoga meet. At the Post Live can also be accessed via the Across the Board with Andy Serling podcast.
Saturday, August 24
• TRAVERS DAY
The oldest stakes race for 3-year-olds in the United States will mark a milestone anniversary when the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers is run for the 150th time at Saratoga.
The Runhappy Travers will be one of six Grade 1s on Travers Day, including the Grade 1, $850,000 Sword Dancer; Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign presented by Lia Infiniti; Grade 1, $500,000 Ketel One Ballerina; Grade 1, $600,000 Forego presented by Encore Boston Harbor; and Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial presented by Runhappy. Rounding out the blockbuster card is the Grade 2, $400,000 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa.
Gates will open at 7 a.m. on Travers Day with a special first post-time of 11:35 a.m. There will be no breakfast or tram tours on Travers Day. The afternoon will include a variety of entertainment and special events designed to celebrate the historic 150th anniversary.
The Runhappy Travers will be televised on the FOX Broadcast channel as part of a one-hour show that begins at 5 p.m. Saratoga Live will have coverage of the remainder of the day’s blockbuster card from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on FS2.
Fans will be encouraged to raise a glass of Moet & Chandon to “Toast the Runhappy Travers” at 1:50 p.m. Moet & Chandon, the official champagne of Saratoga Race Course, is available for purchase on-track. Miniature bottles of Moet & Chandon will be available for $20 at various track locations.
Fans who buy tickets in advance will save on admission. General admission tickets are $10 when purchased in advance and $15 on Travers Day, Saturday, August 24. Advance tickets are available in-person at the NYRA Box Office or online at NYRA.com/Travers.
• FASHION SATURDAYS
Designed to showcase the tradition of style in thoroughbred racing, the event will feature women’s and men’s fashion apparel from local retailers, as well as 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.
Sunday, August 25
• BETTER TALK NOW
The day’s feature race is the $100,000 Better Talk Now for 3-year-olds at a mile on the turf.
• BUBBLES AND BRUNCH AT THE RAIL AT THE 1863 CLUB
Fans are invited to enjoy brunch, mimosas, bloody marys and live acoustic music while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space at the all-new 1863 Club. Tickets are $75 per person. Must be 21 years or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Reservations are available exclusively by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX.
• BERKSHIRE BANK FAMILY SUNDAYS
The kid-oriented weekly event features a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. The theme for this week’s event is “Sci-Fi Day” featuring a vortex gravity inflatable, dream lab robot and virtual reality space pods, amongst other science-themed activities.
• LOW ROLLER CHALLENGE
Every Sunday will include the Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest, 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. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar and the challenge ends after the final post.
Wednesday, August 28
• ITALIAN & IRISH AMERICAN DAY
The day-long celebration of Italian and Irish heritage will feature traditional music, dance, food, entertainment and games at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, August 29
• TASTE NY: WINE & SPIRITS
Come sample varietals of wine and spirits from the best of the best New York State wineries and distilleries. Enjoy live music while sipping on select spirits every Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Five samples are just $5! Guests must be 21 years or older to participate.
• LOW ROLLER CHALLENGE
Every Thursday 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. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar and the challenge ends after the final post.
Coming Up:
• SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
SARATOGA ZIP-UP SWEATSHIRT GIVEAWAY
Fans will celebrate closing weekend of the 2019 Saratoga meet with the final giveaway of the season - a Saratoga sweatshirt, presented by Lia Infiniti. The gray hooded, zip-up sweatshirt is adorned with the red Saratoga logo.
NOTE: Dark Days are Monday and Tuesday
For more information about upcoming events visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.
