Monday, August 11

At the track…

Today’s stakes race: the $100,000 Tenski for three-year-old fillies at a mile on the turf.

Live-money, low roller handicapping tournament. $40 entry fee. $10 goes to the prize pool, with 70% to be awarded to the first-place finisher, 20% to second, and 10% to third; the remaining $30 comprises the entrant’s bankroll. Participants must select five races on which to place live $2 win, place, and show wagers that must be placed on five different horses in five different races. Only Saratoga races will be accepted for contest play.  Sign up on the first floor of the grandstand. This contest will take place every Monday.

Berkshire Bank Family Mondays (every Monday through the meet). Family-friendly activities at the track, including games and educational activities from noon to 4 pm in the Saratoga Pavilion.

Meet a pony: An “on-track stable” is located inside the main Union Avenue entrance every day except Saturday from noon to 3 pm.

Elsewhere…

Jockey karaoke to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund returns to Vapor at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.  VIP tickets (5:30 entry, buffet dinner with jockeys) are $150, general admission (7 pm entry) are $75.

The Track at Saratoga: America’s Grandest Racecourse, last year’s documentary on 150 years of racing in Saratoga, airs on WMHT at 7:30 pm.

 

Tuesday, August 12th

Guests in the Gallery at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: Alex Solis. Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis will discuss his career in racing with program host Jeff Carle. 11 a.m., free with paid Museum admission ($7 adults, $5 students/seniors 55 and older, members and children under 5 free).

Secretariat under the stars at Sanford Stud Farm. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and enjoy the movie Secretariat on the grounds of this historic farm in nearby Amsterdam, New York.  The event is free and open to the public; refreshments will be available, and donations accepted to benefit the Friends of Sanford Stud Farm, which is working to preserve what’s left of the farm established by the family for whom the Sanford Stakes is named.  The movie begins at dusk (approximately 8:30); rain date is Wednesday, August 13th.  

Wednesday, August 13

At the track…

Today’s stakes race: the $100,000 Troy Stakes, 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf for three-year-olds and up.

African-American Day:  11-5 in the Saratoga Pavilion located inside the Reserved Seats Box Office entrance.

Solomon Northup, on whose life the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave is based, lived in Saratoga before being abducted and sold into slavery in 1841; exhibits on Northup’s life will be on display.

Step dancers and jazz musicians will perform, along with a variety of other performers, including the Capital District Keys for Kids Choir and the Wassa Pan-Afrika Dance Ensemble.

A representative from Tracing Your Roots will show patrons how begin tracing their lineage, and soul food samples will be available.

Next week: Asian-American Day.

Meet a pony: An “on-track stable” is located inside the main Union Avenue entrance every day except Saturday from noon to 3 pm.

Elsewhere…

New York Racetrack Chaplaincy fundraiser will honor Michael Dubb.  The Chaplaincy provides a variety of services for backstretch workers, including counseling, transportation to medical appointments, and summer child care; Michael Dubb is the chair of the board of the Belmont Child Care Association and donated much of the labor and materials that made possible the creation and expansion of Anna House on the Belmont backstretch.

The keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Eddie Donnally, a former jockey and journalist who received an Eclipse Award for Outstanding Newspaper Writing in 1984. He recently published a biography, Ride the White Horse: A Checkered Jockey’s Story of Racing, Rage and Redemption.

Tickets for the event, which takes place at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion from 11 am to 1 pm, are $100.  Casual attire. Contact Nancy Kelly at 518 226 0609 for more information or to purchase tickets.

Donnally will sign books at the event, at the track in the afternoon and that evening at Impressions in downtown Saratoga for a donation of $15.

Thursday, August 13

At the track…

Today’s stakes race: The $100,000 Saratoga Dew for New York-bred fillies and mares, three and up at 1 1/8 miles.

Taste NY: Wine & Cheese: Indulge in samples from various New York State wineries from noon to 4 p.m. in the Saratoga Pavilion–10 tastings for $15 and 20 for $30.

Elsewhere…

5:00 PM

Pups for Preservation! Afternoon stroll with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation. Bring your canine buddy, meet at the northwest corner of North Broadway and 4th Street, and enjoy an hour-long tour of historic North Broadway. Dog treats & water will be provided along the route. $5 per person. Dogs walk free!  Pre-registration is requested by August 13th as space is limited. To register and for more information, call 518 587 5030.

Friday, August 15

At the track…

Today’s stakes race: The $100,000 John Morrissey, named for the man brought the first Thoroughbred meeting to Saratoga in 1863.    6 1/2 furlongs for three-year-olds and up.

Taste NY Craft Beer and Cider tasting (every Friday through the meet). Taste beverages produced by as many as a dozen New York State breweries.  Tastings will be held from noon to 4 pm in the Saratoga Pavilion, located inside the entrance to the Reserved Seats Box Office on Union Avenue. Admission is $20 and includes 20 sampling tickets.

Fabulous Fillies Day. A celebration of women and their contributions to the racing industry, and a fundraiser to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. More details as they become available.

Elsewhere…

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs! Come to the Inn at Saratoga and contribute to the year-round care of the cats at the Oklahoma training track.  Quaintance House Animal Protective League, a non-profit clinic in Greenwich, NY (near Saratoga), provides food and veterinary care for all the cats who live at the Oklahoma; funding is provided in large part by The Moore Foundation, established by horse owner and animal philanthropist Susan Moore, who with her husband John has long owned Thoroughbreds.

From 5 – 9 pm, the event will feature a wine tasting by Crush & cask, a beer tasting by Olde Saratoga Brewery, a light buffet, live music, and a silent auction.

Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Call 518 692 9848 for tickets and more info.

 

Saturday, August 16

At the track…

Today’s stakes races: Three-year-old fillies take the stage in the Grade I, $600,000 Alabama, being run for the 134th time, 1 1/4 miles for three-year-old fillies, and the Grade II, $300,000 Knob Creek Lake Placid, 1/18 miles on the turf.

Lord & Taylor Fashion Saturdays (every Saturday through the meet). A Lord & Taylor pop-up shop in the Saratoga Pavilion will be open from 10:30 am to 6 pm.  Two people each week will be named Most Fashionable at Saratoga and win a $250 Lord & Taylor gift card and the chance to present a trophy in the winner’s circle during the meet.

Sunday, August 17

At the track…

Today’s stakes races: the Grade I, $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational at 1 1/2 miles on the turf for three-year-olds and up, and the $100,000 Alydar for four-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles.

Taste NY Food and Artisans (every Sunday through the meet):  Up to 19 food and artisan vendors set up shop in the Saratoga Pavilion from 10:30 am to 5 pm, featuring products made by New York vendors.

Elsewhere…

Photo Finish Tour with Tod Marks: Award-winning photographer Tod Marks will host a photography workshop at the Oklahoma Training Track from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Cost: $20 for members of the National Museum of Racing; $25 non-members. Reservations must be made in advance by calling (518) 584-0400 ext. 120.

Summer Stroll of Saratoga Race Course with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation.  Down in the Valley: Exploring the Gut. Tour will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the southeast corner of Phila & Putnam Streets (Ben & Jerry’s). Ellen Steinberger will conduct a tour of the area behind Broadway known as “The Gut,” home to many working class family businesses and important contributions from Saratoga’s Jewish community. $5 for Preservation Foundation members, $8 for non-members, payable in advance or at the time of the tour.

Monday, August 18

At the track…

Today’s stakes race: the $100,000 Summer Colony at 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares, three and up.

Live-money, low roller handicapping tournament. $40 entry fee. $10 goes to the prize pool, with 70% to be awarded to the first-place finisher, 20% to second, and 10% to third; the remaining $30 comprises the entrant’s bankroll. Participants must select five races on which to place live $2 win, place, and show wagers that must be placed on five different horses in five different races. Only Saratoga races will be accepted for contest play.  Sign up on the first floor of the grandstand. This contest will take place every Monday.

Berkshire Bank Family Mondays (every Monday through the meet). Family-friendly activities at the track, including games and educational activities from noon to 4 pm in the Saratoga Pavilion.   This week’s featured activity

 

Tuesday, August 19

Guests in the Gallery: John Shirreffs. The trainer of Zenyatta and Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo will discuss his career in racing with program host Jeff Carle. Location: Hall of Fame. Time: 11 a.m. Cost: Free with paid Museum admission ($7 adults, $5 students/seniors 55 and older, members and children under 5 free).