Daily/weekly events are listed at the bottom of this post. 

Thursday, August 24

At the races

Stakes races:

Grade I, $150,000 New York Turf Writers Cup, four-year-olds and up, 2 3/8 miles on the turf (steeplechase)

$100,000 Riskaverse for three-year-old fillies, 1 mile on the turf

Taste NY, wines, ciders and spirits in the Saratoga Pavilion on the backyard side of the grandstand, towards the top of the stretch. At this weekly event, customers can purchase five samples of adult beverages made in New York for $5.  Noon – 5pm. (Weekly)

Saratoga Perks Discount to season pass holders at Saratoga Race Course concession stands, NYRA merchandise stores and Shake Shack (also valid on Mondays and Wednesdays). Discount does not apply to lottery, tobacco, alcohol, restaurant dining, group sales or Dunkin’ Donuts.

In NYRA’s community outreach booth, located near the jockeys’ silks room: Saratoga Automobile Museum

Cookbook Signing with Julie Ann Sageer, the host of PBS’ “Cooking with Julie Taboulie.” She’ll sign copies of her book Julie Taboulie’s Lebanese Kitchen at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion from 1 to 3 p.m. The cookbook will be available for sale.

Tequila and Taco Thursdays: After the last race, The Post will feature specials on margaritas and tacos, accompanied by flamenco guitar.

Elsewhere

Book signing: Allan Carter, the historian at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, will sign copies of his book From American Eclipse to Silent Screen: An Early History of New York-Breds. 10 am to noon. Cost: books available for purchase.

New York Thoroughbred Breeders Showcase Day lunch, on a day of stakes races for New York-breds. $50 per person, in the Paddock Tent. RSVP by August 11 at 518 587 0777 or info@nytbreeders.org

 

 

 

 

 

Eat and drink for the Oklahoma cats at the Inn at Saratoga. From 4 – 10 pm, 20% of all food and beverage sales will be donated to Quaintance House, the clinic that takes care of the cats that live at the Oklahoma training facility all year round. A 50/50 raffle and silent auction will also raise money for the cats’ care.

 

 

Andy Serling’s At The Post Live at the Parting Glass in downtown Saratoga, an hour of live radio featuring a variety of guests from the racing world. The show airs 8 – 9pm weekly and is held before a live audience at one of Saratoga’s best-loved watering holes. Can’t make it to Saratoga? You can listen at ESPN Radio 104.5 or online.  Video segments will also be posted and shown on NYRA.com, the NYRA Network, and NYRA’s Youtube channel.  This week’s guests: Ian Wilkes, Dallas Stewart, and Simon Bray. (Weekly)

Friday, August 25

Stakes races: Saratoga Showcase Day for New York-breds

$250,000 Albany for three-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles on the dirt

$200,000 Fleet Indian for three-year-old fillies, 1 1/8 miles on the dirt

$200,000 Funny Cide for two-year-olds, 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

$200,000 Seeking the Ante for two-year-old fillies, 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt

$150,000 Yaddo for fillies and mares, three years old and up, 1 1/16 miles on the turf

$150,000 West Point presented by Trustco Bank for three-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 miles on the turf

 

Red Jacket ceremony inducting Ramon Dominguez into the Saratoga Walk of Fame. The ceremony for the Hall of Fame retired jockey will take place adjacent to the winner’s circle following the day’s fifth race at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Saratoga Perks Discount to season pass holders in the Artists’ Village at the track.

Taste NY: Craft Beer, in the Saratoga Pavilion on the backyard side of the grandstand, towards the top of the stretch. At this weekly event, customers can sample five New York craft beers for $5. Noon – 5pm. (Weekly)

Food and essential item collection to benefit Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council. Customers are invited to donate canned or non-perishable goods at the Community Outreach Booth, located near the Jockey Silks Room. Suggested donation items include pasta, peanut butter, cereal, rice, soup, canned vegetables, as well as shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste. Those that donate will receive a 2017 Saratoga baseball cap, while supplies last.

In NYRA’s community outreach booth, located near the jockeys’ silks room: Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council

Woodford Reserve Fridays at The Post: Following the end of racing, a DJ sets up at The Post bar near the Clubhouse entrance, where Saratoga customers can enjoy dancing, cocktail sampling, and trivia.

Elsewhere

Free admission at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame after 2 pm.

Wine and Cheese Social at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. 6 – 7:30 pm, free for Museum members, $10 for non-members.

Book signing: Dorothy Ours will sign copies of her book Man o’War:  A Legend Like Lightning as part of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of Man o’War’s birth. 6 – 7:30 pm. Cost:  books available for purchase.

 

 

 

Saturday, August 26

At the races

Stakes races: Travers Day

Grade I, $1,000,000 Sword Dancer for three-year-olds and up, 1 1/2 miles on the turf

Grade I, $1,250,000 Travers for three-year-olds, 1 1/4 miles on the dirt

Grade I, $500,000 Ketel One Ballerina for fillies and mares, three years old and up, 7 furlongs on the dirt

Grade II, $400,000 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa for fillies and mares, three years old and up, 1 1/16 miles on the turf

Grade I, $700,000 Priority One Jets Forego for three-year-olds and up, 7 furlongs on the dirt

Grade I, $700,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares, three years old and up, 1 1/8 miles on the dirt

Grade I, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (formerly the King’s Bishop) for three-year-olds, 7 furlongs on the dirt

NYRA Bets & Taste NY: Food and Artisans: An on-track market in the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion (back of the grandstand, near the top of the stretch) that will feature food and crafts by New York makers. Customers can also purchase five samples of craft beer for $5. This event (minus the craft beer) will also take place on Sundays and will include handicapping tutorials and racing tips from the NYRA Bets Squad.   10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In NYRA’s community outreach booth, located near the jockeys’ silks room: Backstretch Employees Service Team

Ketel One Party at The Post: The fun will continue each Saturday of the season with the Ketel One Party at The Post. Saturday evenings at Saratoga will feature music from a DJ following the day’s final race, cocktail samplings and giveaways.

Sunday, August 27

At the races

Stakes races: $100,000 Smart N Fancy for fillies and mares, three years old and up, 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf

Low Roller Handicapping Contest: The contests will be held on Sundays and Mondays in the Lower Carousel near the Fourstardave Sports Bar. Entry into the contest is $40 with $30 going towards your live bankroll and $10 towards the prize pool. Players may submit up to two entries per contest; registration begins at 11 a.m. (Also held every Monday)

NYRA Bets & Taste NY: Food and Artisans: An on-track market in the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion (back of the grandstand, near the top of the stretch) that will feature food and crafts by New York makers. Customers can also purchase five samples of craft beer for $5. This event (minus the craft beer) will also take place on Sundays and will include handicapping tutorials and racing tips from the NYRA Bets Squad.   10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In NYRA’s community outreach booth, located near the jockeys’ silks room: Center for Disability Services.

Ketel One Kitchen: Sample Ketel One and club soda cocktails crafted with produce and herbs near the Fourstardave Sports Bar from 1 to 5 p.m.

Elsewhere

Summer stroll with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation: “Saratoga’s Historic West Side” offers a look at this restored part of the city and the Irish and Italian immigrants who helped shape its history. Tours last approximately 90 minutes and require walking and standing on various terrain. $5 for Preservation Foundation members, $8 for non-members. Meet at South Franklin Street, entrance to the Gideon Putnam Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. The Preservation Foundation offers a weekly Sunday walk, each with a different theme.

Monday, August 28

At the races

Stakes races:  $100,000 Better Talk Now for three-year-olds, 1 mile on the turf

Low Roller Handicapping Contest: The contests will be held on Sundays and Mondays in the Lower Carousel near the Fourstardave Sports Bar. Entry into the contest is $40 with $30 going towards your live bankroll and $10 towards the prize pool. Players may submit up to two entries per contest; registration begins at 11 a.m. (Also held every Sunday)

Berkshire Bank Family Mondays, Saratoga Pavilion on the backyard side of the grandstand, near the top of the stretch. Enjoy kid-friendly games and activities and pet a retired Thoroughbred, all free of charge, with one designated activity carrying a suggested donation for a local school or PTA. This week’s beneficiary: Scotia-Glenville Education Foundation of the Scotia-Glenville Central School District. 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. One drawstring bag per child, who must be present to receive.

Saratoga Perks Discount to season pass holders at Saratoga Race Course concession stands, NYRA merchandise stores and Shake Shack (also valid on Wednesdays and Thursdays). Discount does not apply to lottery, tobacco, alcohol, restaurant dining, group sales or Dunkin’ Donuts.

NYRA season pass and season ticketholders will enjoy special events, activities, and offers during the closing week of racing. More details as they become available.

In NYRA’s community outreach booth, located near the jockeys’ silks room: Troy Boys & Girls Club

Elsewhere…

Children’s Program at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: “Racehorse Thaumatrope.” Participants will watch a toy combine two images into one with optical illusion, then design one themselves. Recommended for children ages 3 through 8. 10 am – noon. Free with paid admission.

Tuesday, August 29

No racing

ReRun Saratoga Soirée to benefit ReRun’s Thoroughbred retirement and retraining programs. The evening will include live music, complimentary drinks, carving stations, and a silent auction. All proceeds benefit horses in ReRun’s program. 6 – 10 pm at The Lodge. Tickets are $100; click for more information and to purchase tickets.