Thursday, 19 August 2021 13:38

News & Notes: Week 6 Events At Saratoga Race Course

The Alabama, 2020. Photo by Chelsea Durand, courtesy of NYRA. The Alabama, 2020. Photo by Chelsea Durand, courtesy of NYRA.

The Saratoga Race Course Gates open at 11 a.m. each day, including weekends, with the exception of Runhappy Travers Day, Saturday, August 28. The 2021 Saratoga summer meet will include the following events and happenings:

Week 6 Race Schedule

Tune in to Talking Horses for in-depth analysis from handicapper Andy Serling and other guests.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20
Skidmore: The afternoon will feature the ninth edition of the $120,000 Skidmore for 2-year-olds sprinting 5 ½ furlongs over the Mellon turf.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21
Alabama Day: Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Maracuja is set to square off in a rematch against Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat in Saturday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama. The card also includes a pair of turf races: the Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid for 3-year-old fillies and the $120,000 Smart N Fancy for fillies and mares sprinting 5 ½ furlongs.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22
Summer Colony: The day’s feature is the $120,000 Summer Colony for fillies and mares going nine furlongs. 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25
Features the John’s Call. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26
Features the Riskaverse. 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20

NYRA Hometown Hero
Presented by CDPHP. NYRA will announce the next honoree in its Hometown Hero program, presented by CDPHP, which recognizes local essential workers for their service and dedication to the community during the pandemic. Each honoree receives the opportunity to present a trophy in the winner’s circle.

Cooperstown Distillery Tasting 
Fans will be invited to enjoy a complimentary tasting of the Cooperstown Select American Whiskey Smash from Cooperstown Distillery at the Jim Dandy Bar from noon to 4 p.m. Must be at least 21 years old; while supplies last.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage
The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from The Switch.

Piazza Italia
The Piazza Italia, located in the Saratoga Events Pavilion, near Gate A, will host live music featuring Franklin Micare from noon to 4 p.m. Fans may enjoy authentic Italian food and beverages at the Piazza Italia every day of the Saratoga meet, including paninis with Italian meats and cheeses, Fratelli Beretta cold cuts, Monti Trentini cheeses, Italian Bindi Gelato, Tiramisu and Peroni Beer.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

Trifecta of Tastings
Fans will be invited to enjoy several complimentary tasting events on Alabama Day, starting with Babe Wines from 1 to 5 p.m. outside The Cutwater Stretch and the Chandon Garden Spritz from 1 to 3 p.m. near the Travers Clubhouse Bar. Rounding out the afternoon will be a sampling of the Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit Rosé from award-winning Ketel One family made vodka at the Ketel One Clubhouse Bar from 3 to 5 p.m. Must be at least 21 years old; while supplies last.

Dunkin’ Discover Your New Brew Sampling Event
Fans will be treated to samples of Dunkin’s signature Iced Coffee as well as the new Apple Cranberry Dunkin’ Refresher featuring Honeycrisp apple and cranberry fruit flavors during the Dunkin’ Discover Your New Brew event. Samples will be available to fans exiting the Clubhouse gates starting at 3:30 p.m. Dunkin’ will also celebrate the new fall flavors available at participating Capital Region restaurants by offering complimentary Dunkin’ cards to fans exiting through both the Clubhouse and main gates. Samples and cards available while supplies last.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Display
Fans will have the opportunity to check out the new all-electric 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, which will be on display near the Clubhouse escalator throughout the afternoon, courtesy of Upstate Ford Dealer Group.

Volcan Tequila Tasting and Summer Music Stage
The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from The Donna Tritico Band.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

Brunch at The Rail at the 1863 Club 
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 are $85 and include the buffet, soft drinks and Post Parade program book. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or online at NYRA.com/1863Club.

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays
The popular kid-oriented weekly event will feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office. 

Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest
Every Sunday features the Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest, available exclusively on-track with a buy-in of $40. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage
The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from ILL Funk.

Season-long Daily Events and Activities:

LOW ROLLER HANDICAPPING CONTESTS

Thursdays & Sundays
Thursday and Sundays at Saratoga pit yourself against your Saratoga peers on-track with the Low Roller Handicapping Contests. Buy-In: $40 ($30 bankroll/$10 prize pool) Contest ends with second to last race at Saratoga. How to Enter: Visit the Low Roller booth outside Fourstardave before the first race.

BERKSHIRE BANK FAMILY ZONE
Fans will enjoy 40 days of the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, an interactive play area for children located near Gate A, which will be complemented by the return of Berkshire Bank Family Sundays. The popular weekly festival will include free games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday of the season inside the Berkshire Bank Family Zone.

BREAKFAST AT SARATOGA
Tram tour of our famous and historic stable area (weather permitting). The first tram leaves the main Clubhouse entrance at approximately 7:30 a.m. with additional trams leaving approximately every 15 minutes. The last tour departs at around 9 a.m. The Tour is available every race day (there is no breakfast on Runhappy Travers Day, Saturday, August 28). Driven by the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). Enjoy a morning buffet on The Clubhouse Porch while the thoroughbreds train on the main track. Breakfast is held daily from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.  No reservations are accepted for breakfast dining. $20 for adults and $12 for kids under 12. 

SARATOGA FASHION DAYS
Fashion Saturdays, which was previously held once each week, will expand to a 40-day series of pop-up boutiques featuring stylish clothing, accessories and jewelry for women and men. The Saratoga Fashion Days’ boutiques will be located in the following areas: Lifestyles of Saratoga across from the Jockey Silks Room Porch; Miss Scarlett, Saratoga Rocks and the Winning Silks Collection near The Stretch; and Bumble B Boutique near the paddock mutuels building (weekends only).

VOLCAN TEQUILA SUMMER MUSIC STAGE
Fans will enjoy live music performances each afternoon of the season from popular local and regional bands at the Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage. Strolling entertainment from Saratoga mainstays Reggie’s Red Hot Feetwarmers and the Red Hot Dancers, amongst other acts, will also be a regular feature.

SARATOGA WALKING TOURS
History, highlights, unique architecture, and landscapes at Saratoga Race Course. Approximately 45 minutes. Daily Walking Tours bring the more than 150 years of history within Saratoga Race Course to life. Ever wonder why we ring a bell at 17 minutes to post or why there is a canoe in the lake in the infield? Take a guided tour to get to know The Spa! Tours are scheduled at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. each racing day and costs $3 per person or $10 for a family. For more information on our tours, please contact our Guest Services Department at 518-584-6200 ext. 4433.

SARATOGA WALK OF FAME
In 2013, NYRA began recognizing prominent thoroughbred industry owners, trainers and jockeys who have left a significant mark on Saratoga with a commemorative plaque and iconic red Saratoga jacket presented on the eve of the Travers Stakes, Saratoga’s signature race and the nation’s oldest major stakes race for 3-year-olds.

BETS SQUAD: LEARN. BET. WIN.
The Bets Squad is your one-stop-shop to learn how to bet! Learn the different types of bets, how to place a bet, how to read a program, how to use a self-service betting terminal, and how to sign up to bet from your phone on and off-track with NYRA Bets. NYRA Bets allows you to securely deposit electronically and play great racing from Saratoga to Del Mar and across the world online and from anywhere, anytime. The Bets Squad is open daily and can be found at the following locations:

Outside Clubhouse Exchange
Under Clubhouse after entering Clubhouse exchange
Grandstand

Backyard, close to the Red Spring
The Stretch (for ticketed guests)
1863 Club Lobby (for ticketed guests)

“Dark” Day Events

MONDAY, AUGUST 23 

"TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM" WITH THOROFAN
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with ThoroFan for “Trivia Night at the Museum” on Monday, Aug. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Museum. Contestants can compete individually or as a team (maximum of four people) for great prizes. Renowned track announcer Tom Durkin will serve as the “Quizmaster.” Tickets, which include two drink tickets and light food, are $15 for Museum members and $25 for non-members and may be purchased here: www.eventbrite.com/e/thorofan-trivia-night-at-the-museum-tickets-164761332581?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb 


Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each of three rounds, as well as to the overall points winner for the event. 

For more information, visit www.thorofan.com.

For more information about the Museum, including special events and program offerings, please call 518-584-0400 or visit our website at www.racingmuseum.org.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24 

THE ALFRED Z. SOLOMON CHARITABLE TRUST PROGRAM SERIES STORIES OF THE TRAVERS STAKES
Join the Saratoga Springs History Museum Tuesday, August 24 at 7 p.m. in the Canfield Casino in Congress Park for special program titled Favorite Stories of Stakes as part of the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust Program Series. 


“The Travers: 150 Years of Saratoga’s Greatest Race” authors Brien Bouyea and Michael Veitch take an in-depth look at the history of the Midsummer Derby, and each will discuss their favorite races in Traver’s Stakes history.  The Travers which tells many remarkable tales of racing history Books will be available for purchase and can be signed by the authors.  Masks are required for non-vaccinated individuals.

This event is free and open to the public, reservations not required.  For more information visit www.saratogahistory.org.

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