Wednesday, July 24

At the track…

• $200,000 Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap, fillies and mares three and up, six furlongs on the dirt.
• $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes Cab Calloway Division, one mile, three-year-olds sired by stallions standing in New York, turf

In the community booth by the jockeys’ silks room: Battlefield and Beyond, which collects signed cards, personal hygiene items, special snacks, and clothing et al. to send to troops serving overseas.

Military Appreciation Day. The Saratoga Pavilion will feature exhibits and activities, and all veterans and active duty military will receive free Grandstand admission with military ID (note: this does not include a seat). Veterans and service members will be recognized prior to several of the day’s races, including a ceremony in the winner’s circle following the third race and tribute to this year’s 75th anniversary of D-Day, which took place on June 6. Among those recognized will be the late Ellsworth Jones, who served as mayor of Saratoga Springs. Among the organizations represented in the Saratoga Pavilion will be Disabled American Veterans, New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs, Stephen Siller Foundation, and Veterans Community Housing Coalition.

Backstretch Babies at the Racing Museum. For children two years old and younger, this weekly program includes a short story or activity and free play with “sensory-friendly” toys. 10 – 11 am. Free with adult paid admission (Weekly until August 28)

Thursday, July 25

• $150,000 Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick Memorial (steeplechase), 2 1/16 miles on the turf for four-year-olds and up
• $100,000 John Morrissey Stakes, 6 1/2 furlongs, New York-breds three years old and up, dirt

Low Roller handicapping challenge: Practice your handicapping skills in this contest with a $40 buy-in, with $30 going towards your live bankroll and $10 going into the prize pool.  Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar. (Every Thursday and Sunday)

In the community booth by the jockeys’ silks room: Empower Ethiopia, which works to improve the lives of vulnerable children in Ethiopia, along with their families and communities.

Taste NY: Wine & Spirits will offer samples of wine and spirits from New York State wineries and distilleries. Live music will accompany the tasting each Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. in the Saratoga Pavilion. Cost: $5 for five samples. (Weekly)

Don Julio Thursday: Sample drinks that include Don Julio tequila from 3 to 5 p.m. outside the entrance to The Stretch at the far end of the second floor of the grandstand. (Weekly)

Elsewhere…

Children’s program, “Anatomy, Them Bones” at the Racing Museum. Children will learn about the anatomy of horses and build a horse skeleton. Children ages 3 through 8. 10 am to noon. Free with paid adult admission.

Racing Time: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Liberation book launch and cocktail party at the Racing Museum. Author Patrick Smithwick and artist Sam Robinson will be on hand for the launch of Smithwick’s latest memoir. 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Free, and books will be available to purchase.

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation “Meet and Greet” at Racing City Brewery. 5:30 – 7:30 pm, no cost, cash bar.

At The Post with Andy Serling, broadcast live each Thursday at 8 pm from The Parting Glass. Due to a Yankees broadcast conflict, this week’s show will air on ESPN Radio 104.5 FM on Saturday, July 27 from 10am-11am and Sunday, July 28 from 10am-11am. Recordings of each weekly show can also be found on the NYRA Now app and podcast “Across The Board.” This week’s guests: Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens and trainers Mike Maker and Stanley Hough.

 

 

Friday, July 26

At the track…

• $100,000 Curlin for three-year-olds on the dirt at 1 1/8 miles

Taste NY craft beer and cider: Sample New York-produced craft beers and ciders. Live music will accompany the tasting each Friday from noon to 5 p.m. in the Saratoga Pavilion. Cost: $5 for five samples. (Weekly)

In the community booth, located outside the jockeys’ silks room: After The Fire, a local non-profit for people whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by fire.

Elsewhere…

Racing trivia at the Racing Museum. Prizes, food, and drink options are on offer; register your team by calling 518 584 0400, ext. 109. 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Free for Museum members, $10 for non-members.

 Saturday, July 27

At the track…

• The $350,000, Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap for horses three and up, six furlongs on the dirt.
• The $250,000 Grade 2 Bowling Green for horses four years old and up, 1 3/8 miles on the turf
• The $600,000, Grade 2 Jim Dandy for three-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles on the dirt.

Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund Awareness Day: Jockeys will be available for autograph signings on the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 11 am to noon with a suggested donation to PDJF. Fans who donate $5 will receive a commemorative “Riders Up!” poster while supplies last and will be entered to win a framed limited edition “150 Years of Racing at Saratoga” print.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Saturdays: Enjoy drinks made with Woodford Reserve at the Jim Dandy bar from 3 – 5 pm.

Ketel One Saturdays: Sample new Ketel One Botanicals from 3 to 5 p.m. each Saturday outside the entrance to The Stretch, on the second floor at the far end of the grandstand.

Fashion Saturdays. Local retailers will showcase clothing, décor, and jewelry in the Saratoga Pavilion from 11 am to 5 pm. (Weekly)

In the community booth outside the jockey’s silks room: The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

Elsewhere…

Saturday Morning Social at the Racing Museum. Museum staff and special guests will discuss the day’s racing at Saratoga and other racetracks. Tom Amello will offer a handicapping session at 10:40 am, and complimentary light refreshments and past performances for Saratoga’s card will be available. 9:30 am – 11 am. Free.

Sugar Plum Farm Tour, hosted by the Racing Museum. This Thoroughbred breeding farm is located less than a mile from Saratoga Race Course; the tour includes the grounds and facilities, and participants will meet some of the resident equines. A catered lunch is included. The tour begins at 10:30 am at Sugar Plum Farm and is expected to last two hours. Reservations are required and space is limited. $25 for Museum members, $30 for non-members. Call 518 584 0400 x120 or e-mail nmrtours@racingmuseum.net to reserve your spot.

 Sunday, July 28

At the track…

• $200,000 Grade 2 Amsterdam, 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt for three-year-olds

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays in the backyard, a smoke- and alcohol-free play area for children featuring free games, attractions, and educational activities. This week’s theme is “Hocus Pocus,” featuring magic spell lessons, a giant cauldron and a create-your-own witch hat station. Children are encouraged to wear costumes.

Low Roller handicapping challenge: Practice your handicapping skills in this contest with a $40 buy-in, with $30 going towards your live bankroll and $10 going into the prize pool.  Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar. (Every Thursday and Sunday)

Family Fun Day in the 1863 Club. This event in The Rail on the ground floor of the 1863 Club includes a family-friendly buffet, ice cream sundae station, and activities including a magician, a balloon animal-maker, and face painting. $75 for adults, $45 for children. Call 844-NYRA-TIX.

In the community booth outside the jockey’s silks room: Vanderheyden, which cares for children with special developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs. Their services included a residential program, a day treatment program, crisis intervention, and in-home parent assistance.

Elsewhere…

Jockey karaoke returns to Saratoga to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. General admission tickets are $75 and include entry at 7:30 pm and one drink coupon; VIP tickets are $150 and include entry at 6 pm, a buffet, two drink coupons, and reserved seating. Performances are scheduled to begin at 7:45 pm. Vapor Night Club at Saratoga Harness, 342 Jefferson St. Must be 21 years old or older to enter. Purchase tickets here. Tom Durkin will emcee; Mark Casse, Mark Hennig, D. Wayne Lukas, and Graham Motion will judge the performances, and the evening includes live and silent auction items and a cash bar. If you can’t attend, you can watch a stream of the event.

 

Monday, July 29

No racing

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Open Barn at Saratoga Summer Farm. Visit some TRF retirees at this working polo barn. 5 – 8 pm, no cost to attend. 20 Bloomfield Road in Saratoga.

Tuesday, July 30

No racing

Old Friends at Cabin Creek Whitney Brunch with Commentator. The two-time Whitney winner is the star of the show at this week’s Old Friends event.  A food truck from the Adelphi Hotel will sell burgers, sushi, smoothies, and other food items from 11 am – 1 pm. Enjoy a gorgeous setting, lunch, and of course the horses. Equine residents at Cabin Creek include Be Bullish, Will’s Way, Cool N Collective, and Cosmonaut. Tours are available from 9 am to 1 pm.

Gumbo for the Horses—a TRF event. Enjoy Hattie’s gumbo for a good cause: retired racehorses at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Your $20 tickets gets you gumbo, a beverage of choice (beer, wine, or soda), and entertainment. Peter Thomas Fornatale will MC, introducing guests and holding a 50/50 raffle for the horses. 5 – 8 pm at Racing City Brewery Company, 250 Excelsior Avenue.

 

 Wednesday, July 31

At the track…

• $100,000 Shine Again for fillies and mares three and up, seven furlongs on the dirt.
• $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes Statue of Liberty Division, one mile, three-year-old fillies sired by stallions standing in New York, turf

Taste NY: Food Day. This market will offer crackers, granola, gelato, and preserves et al., all produced in New York State. 11 am – 5 pm in the Saratoga Pavilion.

In the community booth outside the jockey’s silks room: GallopNYC, which offers therapeutic riding lessons to children and adults with disabilities, military veterans, and at-risk youth.

Elsewhere…

Backstretch Babies at the Racing Museum. For children two years old and younger, this weekly program includes a short story or activity and free play with “sensory-friendly” toys. 10 – 11 am. Free with adult paid admission (Weekly until August 28)