Those of you looking to make Saratoga your “August Place to Be” best start making plans now.
Some tickets are on sale now.
“I live right downtown, so it’s easy for me to go,” said Marc Secor. “If I do [go], I mostly people watch.”
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)recently announced reserved seat tickets and season admission passes for the Saratoga Race Course’s 2015 season went on sale to the general public as of March 30.
The 2015 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course begins on Friday, July 24 and concludes on Labor Day, Monday, September 7.
Guests who are interested in purchasing reserved seats for the full, 40-day season may do so now.
Full season plans for new subscribers will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to available inventory.
Season plans can be purchased through NYRA Account Manager in partnership with Ticketmaster, which enables guests for the first time to select their seats using an online, interactive map.
Season tickets will be mailed to guests in mid-June.
Weekly seat packages will go on sale beginning Monday, April 20.
Daily seats will be made available through Ticketmaster.com beginning Monday, May 11.
Both weekly and daily inventory may be limited in quantity and subject to availability.
In order to streamline the ticketing and admission process for guests, NYRA will, for the first time, integrate the cost of admission with the cost of all seats that are purchased in advance for the 2015 season. Previously, guests were required to make one transaction to purchase seats and a separate transaction for their admission upon arrival at Saratoga Race Course. These two transactions will now be bundled into one payment at the time of purchase for all advanced seat reservations.
Daily admission is $5 for Grandstand and $8 for Clubhouse, the same as in 2014.
“This new bundling structure will replace a practice that required guests to effectively pay twice: once when purchasing seats and again at the turnstiles for admission to Saratoga Race Course,” said New York Racing Association CEO and President Christopher Kay. “Individuals who attend a major league sporting event are used to paying one price for admission and seating and our guests at Saratoga will now do the same. We are confident that this change will facilitate a more efficient, enjoyable and faster welcome to Saratoga for our valued guests while eliminating confusion regarding ticketing pricing.”
Additionally, guests who purchase reserved seats for the entire 40-day meet will have the benefit and convenience of the cost of a deeply-discounted season pass integrated into their reservation package for season-long admission. Previously, the onus was placed on season seat holders to purchase a separate season admission pass or pay the daily admission charge with each visit to Saratoga Race Course.
“In theory, some of our most valued guests who attended the races at Saratoga each day may have paid more than $300 in admission fees ($8 clubhouse admission for 40 days) if they did not purchase a season pass,” said NYRA Chief Experience Officer Lynn LaRocca. “This year, we will ensure that these guests receive our deepest discount possible by including the cost of a season pass with their 40-day reserved seat order since a season pass will pay for itself with just seven visits to Saratoga Race Course.”
The cost of a Grandstand season pass will be $35; the cost of Clubhouse season pass is $55.
A season pass provides fans with the opportunity to enjoy 40 days of world-class thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course, including the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on Saturday, August 29 and the Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney on Saturday, August 8. Season passes may be limited in quantity and are valid for one admission, which includes one giveaway voucher, on all giveaway days.
Group sales packages for Saratoga Race Course are available for the following hospitality areas: At the Rail Pavilion; Luxury Suites (whole suite rentals only); Paddock Tent; Upper Carousel; Festival Tent; Big Red Spring Tent; and Top of the Stretch.
“I plan on going this year, but I would not say I have a reason for it other than I just enjoy going,” said Bernard Harney of Albany. “It’s not for the gambling, because I only put a dollar down if I bet. It’s not for the poines because, other than the Triple Crown, I don’t pay attention to horse racing. I can people watch and hang out with friends anywhere … . It is just an enjoyable day.”
Group sales reservations are available exclusively through the NYRA Box Office by phone at (844) NYRA-TIX, via email at [email protected] or visit www.nyra.com/saratoga.
For more information about Saratoga Race Course, call (518) 584-6200 or log onto www.nyra.com.
