Friday, August 3
Shine Again
The day’s feature race is the $100,000 Shine Again for fillies and mares.
First Responders Appreciation Day,
presented by Brookview Village
NYRA will honor police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics during First Responders Appreciation Day. The day will feature free grandstand admission for all first responders with proper identification. Numerous local police, fire and emergency service departments will host activities and demonstrations at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Guests can take advantage of child’s safety seat demonstrations and fittings for free children’s bicycle helmets, while supplies last (limit two per family). A variety of emergency service vehicles and equipment will be on display in and around the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Young fans will enjoy face painting and caricature drawings.
Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host Gallop NYC, a non-profit organization based in New York City that offers therapeutic horsemanship programs to children and adults with disabilities.
Taste NY: Craft Beer
This weekly event offers guests a selection of New York craft beers available for sampling in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Fans will be able to sample five craft beers for $5 at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from noon to 5 p.m.
Woodford Reserve Bourbon Fridays at The Post
Guests will be invited to sample bourbon cocktails starting at 6 p.m. and stay on-track after the day’s final race to enjoy DJ set and dancing plus trivia to win special prizes from Woodford Reserve at The Post Bar.
Saturday, August 4
Whitney Day & Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing
The 91st running of the prestigious 1 1/8-mile Whitney will top a blockbuster day of racing that includes five stakes as part of the Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing. The Whitney will pair with the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test for 3-year-old fillies, and the Grade 3, $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya for turf fillies and mares. Also Saturday are two additional turf stakes: the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure and the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose for fillies and mares.The Whitney will go to post as race number 9 at 5:46 p.m. preceded by the Longines Test. Both the Whitney and Longines Test will be broadcast live on NBCSN. A special edition of Saratoga Live will air on FS2 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Guests are strongly advised to allot additional time for arrival on Whitney Day due to enhanced screening.
Taste NY: Cider, Wine & Spirits
Taste NY: Cider, Wine & Spirits offers guests a selection of cider, wine and spirits available for sampling each Thursday of the meet in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Fans will be able to sample five varietals for $5 at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from noon to 5 p.m.
Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host the Yaddo Garden Association, which is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Gardens at Yaddo, including the marble and terra cotta features.
Fashion Saturdays
Designed to showcase the tradition of style in thoroughbred racing, Fashion Saturdays will feature women’s and men’s apparel and accessories from local retailers, as well as a selection of home décor, spa care and jewelry items at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fashion Saturdays is sponsored by: Bumble B Boutique, Caroline and Main, Complexions Day Spa, EMBRACE THE RACE®, Lifestyles, Miss Scarlett Boutique, The National and TOGA Heritage.
Woodford Reserve and Jeff Brisbin at the Jim Dandy Bar
Guests are invited to the Jim Dandy Bar to sample Woodford Reserve Saratoga Personal Selection, crafted exclusively for racing fans at the Spa, from 2 to 4 p.m. Guitarist Jeff Brisbin will play acoustic favorites from noon to 4 p.m.
Ketel One Saturdays at The Post
The fun will continue each Saturday of the season with the Ketel One Saturdays at The Post. Fans are invited to sample the new Ketel One Botanicals from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and enjoy music from a live DJ and dancing under the stars following the day’s final race.
The Last Race Showcase at The Stretch
NYRA invites fans who are in attendance on Whitney Day to experience The Stretch for free from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Stretch is Saratoga’s exclusive new hospitality area located in the Grandstand at the Top of the Stretch. There will be food and drink specials and live DJ entertainment. Fans can enjoy the new amenities at The Stretch, including a private bar, concessions, hi-def video screens and televisions, and dramatic views of the Stretch run.
Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which aims to preserve the history and foster understanding of thoroughbred racing in America by providing public access to equine art, artifacts, memorabilia, film, video, books, and historical archives.
Sunday, August 5
Troy Handicap and Alydar
Sunday’s card offers two stakes - the $200,000 Troy Handicap on the turf and the $100,000 Alydar.
Jockey Legends Day,
presented by Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing
Some of the greatest riders in the history of thoroughbred racing will gather at Saratoga Race Course for the fourth annual Jockey Legends Day. The day’s activities will feature special appearances by some of the Spa’s most accomplished riders and autograph signings on the Jockey Silks Porch from noon to 1 p.m. There will be a special trackside presentation after the fifth race.
Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing
The Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing will continue with Sunday’s edition of the “Best Turned Out Horse” award, during which Fasig-Tipton will recognize the hard work that goes into daily grooming with a special prize for the groom of the best-turned-out horse participating in the Alydar. The award will be presented to the winning groom in the winner’s circle prior to the race.
Low Roller Challenge
Sunday 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.
Taste NY: Food and Artisans
Each Sunday of the season will welcome guests to a lively on-track market of numerous food and artisan vendors featuring products made exclusively in New York State. The market will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion.
Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, a non-profit organization that accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding.
Monday, August 6
NYSS Cab Calloway
Monday features the $100,000 Cab Calloway for 3-year-old New York-breds on the turf.
Saratoga Umbrella Giveaway
Racing fans will take home the second giveaway of the 2018 meet, the fan-favorite Saratoga invertible umbrella. The umbrella features the Saratoga Race Course logo etched in white against a black exterior with a red interior lining. All giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last. Saratoga season pass or season ticket plan holders are guaranteed to receive a premium Saratoga giveaway item based on the following guidelines: Season pass or season ticket holders must be present at Saratoga Race Course on the day of the giveaway; enter through the designated season ticket holder lines; and redeem the giveaway by no later than 3 p.m. Redemptions will begin when gates open to the general public at 11 a.m.
Berkshire Bank Family Mondays
Monday will be highlighted by Berkshire Bank Family Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Free Jockey Autograph Books are available for children while supplies last. All kid-friendly games and activities, including the opportunity to pet a retired thoroughbred, are free of charge. Berkshire Bank Family Mondays takes place just across from the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, an interactive play area featuring games, attractions, an Adirondack-style chair and Berkshire Bank charging station. The Berkshire Bank Family Zone is open every day of racing during the Saratoga season.
Low Roller Challenge
Monday will include the continuation of 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.
Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host The Orchard Project, which is based in Saratoga Springs and is one of the preeminent theatre laboratories in the United States.
Tuesday, August 7
DARK DAY, NO RACES.
Wednesday, August 8
Quick Call
Wednesday features the $100,000 Quick Call for 3-year-olds on turf.
Italian-American Day presented by Aperol Spritz
The day-long celebration of Italian culture and heritage will feature traditional Italian music, dance, food, entertainment and games at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The afternoon will also include an Aperol Spritz tasting at The Stretch, located inside the Grandstand at the Top of the Stretch.
Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, which helps retired horses in need.
Thursday, August 9
NYSS Statue of Liberty Division
Thursday features the $100,000 NYSS Statue of Liberty Division for 3-year-old fillies on turf.
Fabulous Fillies Day
Saratoga Race Course will celebrate women and their contributions to the thoroughbred industry while raising funds to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation on Fabulous Fillies Day. This year’s event will for the first-time honor local breast cancer survivors during special winner’s circle presentations throughout the afternoon in partnership with To Life! The day will also feature the return of the Best in Pink fashion contest for women and men, sponsored by vineyard vines and Moet & Chandon. A highlight of the day will be the Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon, presented by vineyard vines and Moet & Chandon, along with Saratoga Living. This year’s luncheon will honor Vivien Malloy, owner of Edition Farm and secretary and treasurer of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders.
Aperol Thursdays at the Post
Each Thursday, guests will have the opportunity to sample Aperol Spritz cocktails at The Post Bar from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Fans are also invited to stay on-track after racing to enjoy music from a live DJ and dancing under the stars.
Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host Floyd Warriors, an organization that seeks to link all available help with families newly diagnosed to help them through the first months of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
