Fans can’t attend the Saratoga track this year, but they can still bet on the horses.
To make the wagering easier, the New York Racing Association is selling gift cards at 150 Stewart’s Shops across the Capital District.
The cards are available in $50 denominations and can be used to deposit funds automatically into a NYRA Bets account to bet on Saratoga races and races at other tracks across the country, including the Travers on Aug. 8, the Whitney on Aug. 1, the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 and the Preakness on Oct. 3.
“Our goal in introducing NYRA Bets Gift Cards is to make it as easy as possible for fans to continue to engage with Saratoga Race Course during this unprecedented time,” said NYRA Bets President Tony Allevato.
Fans who open a new NYRA Bets account with a NYRA Bets Gift Card will be eligible for a deposit match from their initial deposit.
Each card includes a four-digit PIN. After purchasing the gift card, fans enter the PIN into their new or existing NYRA Bets account. The $50 will be available immediately to use when betting with NYRA Bets.
Stewart’s has sold admission passes to the track since 2014.
“As a NYRA Bets user myself, I know how simple it is to use this state-of-the-art technology,” said Stewart’s Shops President Gary Drake. “We’re proud to be the first retailer to carry these cards, which make it easier than ever for new and experienced fans alike to wager on racing this summer.”
NYRA Bets Gift Cards are available for purchase by cash only; credit cards are not accepted.
The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course will begin on Thursday, July 16, and run through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. Under current New York state guidelines, Saratoga Race Course will open without spectators in attendance.
Daily, live television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks.
