Saratoga Race Course will sound the bugle on its longest racing season in more than a century40 dayson Friday, July 23, when the track officially opens. Gates swing open at 11 a.m. and the first Post Time is 1 p.m.
The expanded meet`the longest since 1882`comes after months of speculation as to whether horse racing would even come to Saratoga at all this summer. Fiscal issues for NYRA and state government gridlock threatened the time-tested tradition, but NYRA President/CEO Charlie Hayward said the worst is behind them.
`Through everything we’ve had a very constant customer base. There was a downturn in group sales last year because of the economy, but I think we will do better this year than last,` said Hayward.
With the extended meet comes a slew of special events and brand new attractions, the most notable being New York City-based Shake Shack and Blue Smoke dining venues popping up. This year’s giveaways are: a St. Patrick’s Day themed short sleeve t-shirt on Thursday, July 29; a Rachel Alexandra baseball cap on Sunday, Aug. 8; a Saratoga Race Course umbrella on Sunday, Aug. 22; and a long sleeve Saratoga Race Course t-shirt on Sunday, Sept. 5. All giveaways are free with paid admission and available while supplies lasts.
The 30th Annual Open house, which is always held the Sunday before the first race, will be July 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and visitors will get a sneak-peek of the summer meet before racing season starts. There will be games, live music, food, pony rides, behind-the-scenes tours, mascot races and non-wagering horse racing, with proceeds benefiting more than a dozen local non-profit organizations.
From Friday, July 23 to Sunday, July 25, a three-day festival called `Hats off to Saratoga` will take over the downtown area with a hat contest to celebrate the start of the season.
On Saturday, July 24, there will be a coaching club celebration in honor of the 94th running of the Grade 1 Betfair TVG Coaching Club American Oaks. Coaching Clubs originally sprung up in England in the 19th Century to preserve the pastime of driving a coach with four horses and a single group of reins, as horse-drawn mail carriages started to be replaced by railroads. There will be two antique coaches on display at the track and one will parade down the stretch.
St. Patrick’s Day returns for a midsummer celebration on Thursday, July 29, with local Irish bands, Irish step dancers and the season’s first giveaway, which is an Irish-themed short sleeve t-shirt.
Hoping to entice a youthful crowd, Friday, July 30, will be College Day, an annual tradition being held earlier this year to give local college students a chance to participate. Students have the chance to win a $1,000 scholarship after each race and if any students from SUNY Cobleskill and The Sage Colleges wins one, those schools will match the $1,000 NYRA scholarship with additional money toward tuition.
The rich history of Fasig-Tipton and the upcoming Select Yearling Sales will be celebrated on Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and Aug. 1, with a festival to include interactive and educational activities at the track and the Fasig-Tipton facility.
The Times Union Hope Fund and Gift of Life hope to get a boost on Friday, August 6, as beneficiaries of the Saratoga Wine Festival, where wine samples can be tasted for a set price of $25.
The Inaugural Saratoga Handicapping Tournament will be Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 11 and 12, where a limit of 100 entrants will vie for $100,000 in prize money and the chance to be part of the three-person `Team Saratoga` at the Daily Racing Form/National Thoroughbred Racing Association National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas in January.
The track will get spooky on Friday, Aug. 13, when a Halloween theme takes over the day. Kids can come in costume and trick-or-treat at some of the famous landmarks throughout the race course.
Wednesday, Aug. 18, is all about the horses with `Horse Retirement Awareness Day.` The day will be dedicated to raising awareness and funds to care for retired thoroughbreds. ESPN Racing Analyst Jeannine Edwards and her dressage horse, a Saratoga veteran, will perform a dressage routine on the track.
Some `Fabulous Fillies` will help raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation on Friday, Aug. 20, with displays, exhibits and pink galore.
The 15th Annual Travers Festival, a much anticipated event, will celebrate the 141st running of the $1 million Travers Stakes from Saturday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 29.
How much ice cream can you gobble up before brain freeze kicks in? Kids, teens and adults can find out on Wednesday, August 25, at the Stewart’s Shops Ice Cream Eating Contest. Winners receive gift certificates for free Stewart’s ice cream.
Saratoga Race Course transforms into Little Italy on Thursday, Aug. 26, with the Feast of San Gennaro, a traditional festival that will feature favorite Italian food and classic Italian music.
Brews will battle it out for the American Red Cross on Friday, Aug. 27, when visitors can taste a variety of beers for $25.
Veterans and active military personnel get in free on Thursday, Sept. 2.
The season goes out with a bang from Friday, Sept. 3 to Monday, Sept. 6, with days of live music both downtown and at the track, a family fun fest, a Labor Day BBQ and more.
Every Monday, except Labor Day, a jockey autograph book will be given free with paid admission so fans can collect signatures from their favorite riders.
Information on group accommodations, NYRA Rewards, dining experiences, a calendar of events and everything Saratoga Race Course can be found at www.nyra.com.
“