It’s the final week of the season at the Saratoga Race Course! You’re in for a thrilling week chock-full of events, giveaways, activities, great food and drink, and of course the main reason why we all head to the track in the first place: the races!
Fan Appreciation Week
The final week at the race track is all about the fans! You won’t want to miss out on Fan Appreciation Week, when guests can take advantage of special events, savings, and offers.
Fans who missed previous giveaway days can have a chance to purchase the 2017 Saratoga baseball cap, short sleeve tee-shirt, and Saratoga cooler bag for $5 each beginning on Wednesday and lasting through Monday, or as long as supplies last. You can purchase the items at the Saratoga Silks store and at the concession stand inside Gate B.
Saratoga Season Perks members will receive a free, premium apparel item: a pullover featuring the Saratoga and NYRA BETS logos. This giveaway starts on Wednesday and lasts through Saturday, or as long as supplies last. To receive the item Perks members must show their perks card or season pass which will be scanned at the redemption area.
In addition, Saratoga Season Perks members will receive a number of additional offers, including: 35% savings on dated merchandise, 10% savings on most on-track concession stands, 10% savings at Shake Shack, and 10% savings at participating vendors in the Artist’s Village. Discounts don’t apply to lottery, tobacco, alcohol, restaurant dining, group sales, or Dunkin’ Donuts.
Fans who purchase two grandstand reserved seats will receive a third seat for free when using the promo code BUY2GET1. And, fans who purchase a reserved table in the Miller Lite Picnic Paddock or the Fourstardave Sports Bar will receive a second table for free when using the promo code TOGABOGO. Both of these offers are available through TicketMaster.
Special offers on clubhouse box seats are also going on during the final week, starting at $230 per box. Fans who purchase a five-seat box will receive either five complimentary race programs and a bottle of champagne, or five Saratoga collectible apparel items of their choice on select items. To purchase, call 718.659.3551.
The last day of the track, Monday, will feature the special offer of a Monday Family Fun 4-Pack which includes four grandstand reserved seats (includes admission), four hot dogs, and four sodas for $44. To get this package, call 1.844.NYRA.TIX.
Fans can celebrate Labor Day weekend at the Saratoga Race Course with the traditional end of the summer barbecue starting on Friday and going through Monday. The barbecue is hosted in the At the Rail Pavilion and is $45 for adults and $35 for kids 12 and under. The price includes admission and a programming book. You can reserve a spot by calling the NYRA Box Office at 1.844.NYRA.TIX.
Wednesday, August 30
The day’s featured race is the Grade 3, $150,000 With Anticipation for two-year-olds on the turf.
Wednesday is also Italian-American Day. NYRA is celebrating the culture and traditions of the Bel Pease with Italian music, dance, entertainment, and crafts from 11am to 5pm in the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion.
Accordion players Ralph Brooks and Peter Rizzo will be on site greeting guests with traditional Italian music as they arrive. Children with the Italian American Community Center Ballerini will perform a traditional Italian folk dance following the fourth race. Italian tenor Angelo Mazzone, Jr. will perform Torna a Surriento following the sixth race. There will be more Italian music and dance performances throughout the day.
Italian food will be available for purchase to benefit the Italian Heritage Association and Museum in Albany at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion. Food will include Italian sausage subs, meatball subs, eggplant parmigiana, chicken parmigiana, Italian pastries, and gelato.
Wednesday is also Wine Wednesday, when fans can enjoy wine specials at The Post from 11am to 2pm.
Living Resources will be heading up the Community Outreach Booth. They are a nonprofit organization that provides services to individuals with various disabilities and impairments.
Thursday, August 31
The day’s featured race is the $100,000 P.G. Johnson for two-year-old fillies on the turf.
Taste NY: Cider, Wine & Spirits will be happening on this day, when fans can enjoy five samples for $5 at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion from 12pm to 5pm.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties will be at the Community Outreach Booth. This group builds and rehabilitates affordable homes for low-income families.
Thursday is also Tequila & Taco Thursday, when guests can enjoy specials on margaritas and tacos at The Post as well as live flamenco guitar performances after the final race.
The fun continues at At the Post Live: Serling on Saratoga with Andy Serling hosting a live broadcast at The Parting Glass from 8pm to 9pm.
Friday, September 1
The day’s featured race is the $100,000 Lucky Coin for four-year-olds and up on the turf.
Taste NY Craft Beer is happening on this day, when guests can take advantage of five samples of craft beers for $5 at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion from 12pm to 5pm.
The Community Outreach Booth will be hosting the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which preserves and fosters understanding of thoroughbred racing in America.
Fans are invited to continue the day at The Post with Woodford Reserve Friday after the final race for a DJ and dancing, cocktail sampling, and trivia.
Saturday, September 2
Labor Day Weekend will feature a special post time of 12:30pm. The final Saturday of the season will include four graded stakes: The Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward; the Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway for two-year-old fillies; the Grade 3, $300,000 Saranac for three-year-olds on grass; and the Grade 3, $200,000 Glens Falls for fillies and mares on the turf.
Saturday will feature the Taste NY: Food, Artisans & Craft Beer, when guests can sample and shop New York food, crafts, and beer in the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion from 10:30am to 5pm. There will also be handicapping tutorials and racing tips from the BETS Squad.
Capital Region Toys for Tots will be at the Community Outreach Booth. This group collects new, unwrapped toys to distribute as holiday gifts for less fortunate children.
The fun continues with Ketel One Party at The Post following the day’s final race with cocktail samplings, giveaways, and a DJ.
Sunday, September 3
Sunday will also feature a special post time of 12:30pm. The day’s featured race is the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for three-year-old fillies.
The Saratoga Wall Clock Giveaway is happening on this day with a Saratoga wall clock from Foxwoods Resort Casino. The clock features an image of thoroughbreds racing down the stretch against the Saratoga grandstand and clubhouse roofline. All giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season pass and season ticket plan holders are guaranteed a Saratoga premium giveaway item providing they are in attendance, enter through the designated season ticket and pass holder lines, and redeem the giveaway by 3pm.
Taste NY: Food and Artisans will be happening on this day, when fans can sample and shop New York food and crafts at the Berkshire Bank Pavilion from 10:30am to 5pm.
There will be a Low Roller Challenge, which allows aspriring handicappers the opportunity to experience the thrill of the tournament play for $40, with $30 going towards live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Registration starts at 11am near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.
The Community Outreach Booth will be headed up by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, which assists families with children who are terminally ill.
Monday, September 4
Labor Day will continue with the special post time of 12:30pm. The featured race of the day is the 113th running of the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful for two-year-olds. Fans will get a preview of potential standouts in next year’s Triple Crown Series, as well as the Jim Dandy and Travers. There will also be the running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap for three-year-olds and up on the turf.
This day is also Berkshire Bank Family Monday, with kid-friendly games and activities happening at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion from 11am to 4pm. Kids will also get the chance to pet a retired thoroughbred. The first 500 kids ages 12 and under to visit the Pavilion will receive a free drawstring bag filled with school supplies, courtesy of Berkshire Bank and Hannaford Supermarkets.
The Cohoes Connect Center for Youth will be at the Community Outreach Booth. They serve as a community resource by providing a safe and secure environment for kids, youth, and families of Cohoes.
Have a great last racing week of the season!
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