Guess what? It’s going to rain this week. Quelle surprise, I know. Are your feet webbed yet? At least you don’t have to water your gardens.

And hey, because of that rain, we got a storybook Whitney last Saturday, when a rainbow emerged as Diversify cruised home to his second Grade 1 win. Don’t sleep on those New York-breds…he came out of the sale that will be held this weekend.

Here are links to a couple of recent Saratogian stories, this on Maude Walsh, the daughter of Shuvee’s exercise rider, and this on Melissa Cohen, assistant to trainer Rick Violette.

Scroll down to see ongoing/regular events, get in touch if you have any questions, and feel free to pass on calendar additions that support racing or local non-profits or that share Saratoga’s magical history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, August 8

At the track…

The $100,000 Quick Call for three-year-olds on the turf at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Italian-American Day, in the Saratoga Pavilion behind the grandstand, featuring traditional Italian music, dance, and food, along with entertainment and games. The afternoon will also include an Aperol Spritz tasting at The Stretch, on the second floor at the end of the grandstand. 11 am – 5 pm.

In the community booth, located outside the jockeys’ silks room: Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

Elsewhere…

Party on the Porch and Art of Old Friends Book Signing! Wednesday, August 8th, please join us at Anne’s Washington Inn in Saratoga Springs, NY for Old Friends’s Annual Party on the Porch, beginning 5:30 pm. Enjoy cocktails and small plate buffet courtesy of Mama Mia’s restaurant. Meet artist Dagmar Galleithner-Steiner, who will be signing copies of her new book The Art of Old Friends (available for purchase at the event). Free and open to the public, 5:30 – 9pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, August 9

 At the track…

The $100,000 New York Stallion Series Statue of Liberty Division, for three-year-old fillies at a mile on the turf.

Fabulous Fillies Day, “celebrating women and their contributions to the thoroughbred industry while raising funds to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This year’s event will honor local breast cancer survivors during special winner’s circle presentations throughout the afternoon in partnership with To Life!, a local breast cancer support and education organization. Among the day’s activities are a Best in Pink fashion contest for women and men and the Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon. This year’s luncheon, which begins at 11 am, honors the wonderful Vivien Malloy, owner of Edition Farm, a former New York Breeder of the Year, and secretary and treasurer of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders. Tickets are $200 and can be purchased here. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit BCRF through Play for P.I.N.K.

As someone who has spent much of the last year and a half being treated for breast cancer, I’ve been asked by the New York Racing Association and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to be part of their “Instagram takeover” for the day. If you’re interested in seeing that takeover, which will document my experiences since being diagnosis, you can follow here. I’ll also attend the lunch as NYRA’s guest.

TASTE NY: CIDER, WINE & SPIRITS: In the Saratoga Pavilion behind the grandstand every Thursday through the meet, visitors can sample the offerings of New York’s distilleries and wineries and enjoy live music. For those 21 and older; $5 for five samples.

Aperol Thursdays at The Post. Every Thursday through the meet, sample Aperol Spritz cocktails at The Post Bar near the paddock from 3:30 to 5:30. After the races, dance to a DJ.

In the community booth, located outside the jockeys’ silks room: Floyd Warriors, an on-line support community for people recently diagnosed with cancer and their families.

Elsewhere…

Children’s Program at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: “Hall of Fame Bingo: Make Your Own Induction Plaque.” Children ages 3 – 8 can learn about the horses, trainers, and jockeys in the Hall of Fame, then design their own plaque. 10 am to noon, free with paid admission.

At The Post with Andy Serling, broadcast live each Thursday at 8 pm from The Parting Glass. The hour-long show will be streamed and archived at ESPN Radio 104.5 in the Capital District and presented as the NYRA podcast Across The Board. This week’s guests TBA.

August 10

At the track…

The $100,000 Tale of the Cat, six furlongs on the dirt for horses three years old and up

Saratoga Challenges, two separate one-day handicapping contests. Friday’s contest guarantees a first-place payout of $15,000 and entries to the 2019 Belmont Stakes Challenge to the top finisher and the 2019 National handicapping Championship to the top three finishers. See tomorrow’s schedule for info on the Saturday contest. Both challenges will consist of wagering exclusively on Saratoga races through the following pools only: win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, quinella and daily double. Friday is a $1,000 minimum buy-in; $500 will go to the prize pool, and the remaining $500 each participant’s bankroll.

Both challenges will be open to the first 165 individuals to register. Horseplayers can also directly qualify into the Saratoga Challenge and Fourstardave Challenge through qualifiers hosted at Horsetourneys.com and DRF.com.

Taste NY: Craft Beer. Every Friday during the meet, sample craft beers made in New York State. $5 gets you five samples at the Saratoga Pavilion just behind the grandstand. Noon to 5 pm.

In the community booth, located outside the jockeys’ silks room: Dyer Phelps, the oldest African-American ministry in Saratoga Springs, founded by Miss Dyer Phelps in 1862–the year before Thoroughbred racing began in Saratoga.

Paint and Sip. Painting and drinking wine at the track. Also offered on Saturday, August 18, the $75 cost includes admission to the Whitney Suite, all art supplies, snacks, and a race day program. Purchase both sessions for $140; tickets are available by calling the NYRA box office at (844) NYRA-TIX.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Fridays at the Post. Every Friday evening, enjoy bourbon cocktails and trivia at The Post bar near the clubhouse entrance. 6 – 8 pm.

The Last Race Showcase at The Stretch: Customers are invited to The Stretch, the new, upscale, “exclusive” area on the far end of the second floor of the grandstand. Ordinarily, admission to this area begins at $30; customers may attend free from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. There will be food and drink specials and  DJ.

Saturday, August 11

At the track…

The $200,000 Grade 2 Adirondack, 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt for two-year-old fillies

The $500,000 Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap, a mile on the turf for horses three years old and  up.

NYRA Bets Seminar: Join host Pete Fornatale with Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr. and handicappers Jake Ballis and Jonathon Kinchen for a special seminar at the NYRA Bets Simulcast Center, located on the second floor of the Grandstand near The Stretch. The seminar begins at 11 a.m.

Saratoga Challenges, day two of these separate one-day handicapping contests that began on Friday.  Saturday’s contest guarantees a minimum first-place payout of $25,000 and one entry to the 2019 Belmont Stakes Challenge to the top finishers and five seats to the 2019 National handicapping Championship. Both challenges will consist of wagering exclusively on Saratoga races through the following pools only: win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, quinella and daily double. The entry fee is $2,000, with $1,000 towards the prize pool and the remaining $1,000 each contestant’s bankroll.

Both challenges will be open to the first 165 individuals to register. Horseplayers can also directly qualify into the Saratoga Challenge and Fourstardave Challenge through qualifiers hosted at Horsetourneys.com and DRF.com.

Woodford Reserve and singer/songwriter Jeff Brisbin at the Jim Dandy Bar. Every Saturday except Travers Day (August 25), sample Woodford Reserve Saratoga Personal Selection bourbon while Brisbin plays. 2-4 pm.

Ketel One Saturdays at The Post. Every Saturday, sample Ketel One Botanicals from 3-5 pm. Following the races, a DJ spins dance music.

The Last Race Showcase at The Stretch: Customers are invited to The Stretch, the new, upscale, “exclusive” area on the far end of the second floor of the grandstand. Ordinarily, admission to this area begins at $30; customers may attend free from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. There will be food and drink specials and  DJ.

Fashion Saturdays. Every Saturday, shop local apparel, accessories, jewelry, and home décor from 10:30 am – 5 pm in the Saratoga Pavilion just behind the grandstand.

In the community booth, located outside the jockeys’ silks room: Take the Lead, the Thoroughbred retirement program run by New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.

Elsewhere…

Xpressbet Saturday Morning Social at the Museum: Every Saturday, museum staff and guests will analyze and discuss the day’s races at Saratoga and other tracks.  Complimentary light refreshments will be served and Saratoga past performances will be provided. The program runs from 9-11 am and is free of charge.

Fasig-Tipton New York Bred Yearling Sale. Two nights of yearling sales, with sessions devoted exclusively to New York-breds. The vibe will be quieter, the sales grounds less hectic (and thus easier to get around, and the bar and food lines will be much more manageable). Funny Cide, winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, came out of this sale, as did Grade 1 winners Diversify, Audible, and Mind Your Biscuits. The sale continues on Sunday night.

New York Thoroughbred Breeders cocktail party at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred sale, tonight and Sunday night from 6 – 9 pm. Enjoy complimentary food and cocktails in the upstairs buyers’ lounge and balcony in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion. Tickets are and include both nights.  RSVP by August 6 to avoid a late fee. 518 587 0777.

Sunday, August 12

 At the track…

The $200,000 Grade 2 Saratoga Special presented by Coors Light, 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt for two-year-olds.

SaraYoga, offered today and August 19. For $40, you get a one-hour yoga session, brunch, and a complimentary mimosa or bloody Mary.  Admission, tax, and gratuity are included. Bring your own mat or rent one for $5. Purchase both sessions for $70. This week’s session takes place in the paddock tent.

Low Roller Challenge. Every Sunday and Monday (except Labor Day), play in this low-stakes handicapping tournament. Entry is $40, with $30 going towards your live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Registration begins at 11 am near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Taste NY: Food & Artisans. Every Sunday, shop food and artisan products made in New York from 10:30 am – 5 pm in the Saratoga Pavilion, behind the grandstand.

In the community booth, located outside the jockeys’ silks room: The Joseph Ahmed Foundation, which raises funds for and awareness of Ewing’s Sarcoma and other childhood cancers.

Elsewhere…

Photo Finish Tour with Tod Marks: Photographer Tod Marks of the Saratoga Special and other publications leads this photographic tour of the Oklahoma training facility. Learn about lighting, composition, and developing your eye. Reservations are required. The tour runs from 7 – 9 am and costs $25 for Museum members, $35 for non-members. Make reservations at (518) 584-0400 ext. 118.

Summer Stroll: “Broadway in 1874.” Join the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation for its weekly Sunday walk through Saratoga’s history. This week, Gloria May leads a tour of downtown, focusing on what has and hasn’t changed in the last century and a half. Meet at 10:30 am at the northwest corner of Congress St. and Broadway and wear comfortable shoes. $5 for SSPF members, $8 for non-members. Tours are rain or shine and tickets can be purchased here.

New York Thoroughbred Breeders cocktail party at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred sale, tonight and Sunday night from 6 – 9 pm. Enjoy complimentary food and cocktails in the upstairs buyers’ lounge and balcony in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion. Tickets are and include both nights.  RSVP by August 6 to avoid a late fee. 518 587 0777.

Fasig-Tipton New York Bred Yearling Sale. Two nights of yearling sales, with sessions devoted exclusively to New York-breds. The vibe will be quieter, the sales grounds less hectic (and thus easier to get around, and the bar and food lines will be much more manageable). Funny Cide, winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, came out of this sale, as did Grade 1 winners Diversify, Audible, and Mind Your Biscuits. The sale continues on Sunday night.

Monday, August 13

At the track…

The $100,000 Saratoga Dew for New York-bred fillies and  mares three and up, nine furlongs on the dirt.

Low Roller Challenge. Every Sunday and Monday (except Labor Day), play in this low-stakes handicapping tournament. Entry is $40, with $30 going towards your live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Registration begins at 11 am near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Berkshire Bank Family Mondays. Each Monday of the meet, head to the Saratoga Pavilion behind the grandstand for kid-friendly games and activities, including the opportunity to pet a retired thoroughbred. All activities are free of charge, with the exception of one that carries a suggested donation to benefit a local school or PTA. This week’s beneficiary TBA. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.     Stevens Elementary School in Ballston Lake.

In the community booth, located outside the jockeys’ silks room: Friends of Moreau State Park.

Elsewhere…

Photo Finish Tour with Sharon Castro: Photographer Sharon Castro leads this photographic tour of the Oklahoma training facility. Learn about lighting, composition, and developing your eye. Reservations are required. The tour runs from 7 – 9 am and costs $25 for Museum members, $35 for non-members. Make reservations at (518) 584-0400 ext. 118.

Wednesday, August 15

 At the track…

The $100,000 Bolton Landing for two-year-old fillies on the turf at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Adirondacks Day in the Saratoga Pavilion behind the grandstand, where you’ll find exhibits on the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid and activities and entertainment that showcase the Adirondack region.

In the community booth, located outside the jockeys’ silks room: The Center for Disability Services

Elsewhere…

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy brunch honoring Lisa and Kenny Troutt, owners of WinStar Farm, to support the work of the Chaplaincy on the backstretch, which includes children’s enrichment, social service, recreational, and educational programs, as well as non-denominational religious services. Click here if you’re interested in buying an ad, sponsoring the event, or purchasing tickets. Saratoga National Golf Club at 10:30 am.

“Ask the Handicapper” with Tom Amello at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: Veteran handicapper Tom Amello, who has been producing the Trackfacts tip sheet at Saratoga Race Course since 1988, will lead a discussion about various aspects of handicapping and take questions from the audience. 11 am to noon. Cost: included with Museum admission.

Ongoing

Visit Old Friends at Cabin Creek and hang out with retired favorites like Commentator, Stud Muffin, and Zippy Chippy. The farm is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.

Breakfast at Saratoga, daily except Travers Day. Enjoy breakfast on The Porch on the ground level of the clubhouse during morning training. Breakfast is available on a first-come, first-served basis from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The buffet is $18.50 for adults and $10.25 for kids ages 12 and under.

Backstretch tram tours:  Free tram tours begin at 7:30 a.m. and depart from the clubhouse entrance approximately every 15 minutes through 9 a.m. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are 45 minutes in length.

Visit retired Thoroughbred ambassadors at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s summer program at Heading for Home, a Thoroughbred and Standardbred retirement and retraining facility just east of Saratoga. Residents at the TRF’s Second Chances program at the Wallkill Correctional Facility, they’ll spend the summer in Saratoga to meet racing fans and raise awareness of the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare. The farm will be open Tuesdays during racing season from 11am to 2pm, or by appointment with the TRF. Learn more about the horses and making an appointment here.

Tom Durkin Tours at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Tours take place Wednesday through Sunday (except August 3 and August 15) through the racing season from 11am to 12pm. The cost $20 for Museum members and $25 for non-members. Reservations are required and space is limited. Call (518) 584-0400 ext. 107 or email nmrvisitors@racingmuseum.net.

Third Race Call with Larry Collmus to benefit Backstretch Employee Service Team. Join racecaller Larry Collmus in the booth at Saratoga as he prepares for and calls the third race each day. You’ll get a terrific view of the track and conversation and photos with Collmus. The cost is $100 per person, 100% of which goes to B.E.S.T. To make your reservation, call 516 488 3434, ext. 100 and ask for Kristy Chao or e-mail kristy@bestbackstretch.org.

Tour of the Oklahoma training facility, presented by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in cooperation with the New York Racing Association. Tours cover approximately a mile and last for an hour. Wear sturdy walking shoes, and for insurance reasons, no children under 10 are permitted; no children in backpacks or strollers; no umbrellas. During the racing season, tours are conducted every day except Tuesdays; August 3; and August 25 and 26. Tours begin at 8:30 and depart from the Museum parking lot. Reservations are required and must be received by 4:00 pm Thursday for the weekend. Tours are cancelled in heavy rain. $5 for Museum members, $10 for non-members, which includes admission to the Museum after the tour. You can make reservations by calling 518 584 0400 ext. 120 or e-mailing nmredu2@racingmuseum.net.

Silks design contest. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with Gulfstream to offer children age 18 and under the chance to design a set of racing silks. Designs can be submitted to the Museum through August 31. Gulfstream Park will choose a design, which will be worn by a jockey in a race during Gulfstream Park’s winter meet. Designs can be submitted at the Museum or by e-mailing nmrpgasst@racingmuseum.net. One entry per person.

Photo Finish juried photography exhibition. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is now accepting submissions of photographic work connected with Thoroughbred racing in America by both amateur and professional photographers. Racing scenes, portraits, workouts, retirees–you can choose how to interpret the theme. A panel of judges from the racing and arts communities will select the photographs that will be displayed in the von Stade Gallery at the Museum beginning on January 19, 2019. Application forms are available at the Museum; at each Photo Finish backstretch photography tour (see above for details on tour this week on August 12 and 13) and can be downloaded here. Contact Museum Curator Victoria Reisman at nmrcollections@racingmuseum.net or (518) 584-0400 ext. 113.