Francesca Le Donne Photo

NYRA to honor service members and veterans with Military Appreciation Day, presented by JDog, at Saratoga Race Course

by NYRA Press Office

Annual event to coincide with National Hire a Veteran Day

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will pay tribute to the nation's service members and veterans during Military Appreciation Day, presented by JDog, at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, July 25. 

The day will feature free grandstand admission for all United States military service members and veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service. 

Military Appreciation Day is presented in partnership with JDog, owned and operated by local military veterans and family members.

"The New York Racing Association is honored to recognize the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States military," said NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay. "Whenever I am asked to name my favorite day of the meet, my answer is always the same: it is the day during which we thank those who have given so much to preserve and protect our nation and our freedom."

This year's event coincides with National Hire a Veteran Day, which aims to spread awareness and create a platform where employers and veterans can network. In recognition of the day, the Saratoga Springs-based employment agency Integrated Staffing will host an informational booth at the track for veterans seeking employment. The booth will be located at the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

NYRA will welcome local service members and veterans to the winner's circle before numerous races on the day's card. The service members will represent the sacrifices of those who have defended the United States from World War II through the present era.Several generations of veterans and service members will gather in the winner's circle for the day's third race, which will be named in honor of Military Appreciation Day.

Performers from the USO Show Troupe, an American tradition that entertains approximately 600,000 service members and their families annually worldwide, will greet guests with patriotic songs as they arrive at the Clubhouse entrance beginning at 11:15 a.m. Local acapella group Racing City Chorus will greet guests at the Union Avenue gates.

NYRA will pay tribute to its own service member and veteran employees with a special ceremony in the winner's circle during the National Anthem at approximately 11:30 a.m. The National Anthem will be accompanied by a Presentation of Colors from cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The Racing City Chorus will continue to entertain guests on the track apron with a patriotic medley following the day's third race at approximately 2:10 p.m. The USO Show Troupe will come trackside for a special performance on the apron following the day's fifth race at approximately 3:15 p.m. Additionally, both groups will perform at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion throughout the afternoon. 

A number of military-related organizations will be represented at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion throughout the afternoon, including the Albany Vet Center; American Red Cross; Disabled American Veterans; JDog; Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs; New York Army National Guard; New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs; Patriot Flight; Patriot Guard Riders; Stars for our Troops; Stephen Siller Foundation; STRIDE Adaptive Sports; and Veterans Community Housing Coalition.

Single-day Grandstand admission is $5 and Clubhouse admission is $8 for guests who purchase their tickets prior to the day of the event. Single-day Grandstand admission is $7 and Clubhouse admission is $10 when purchased at the gate. Grandstand and Clubhouse admission may be purchased in advance online at Ticketmaster.com or in-person at the NYRA Box Office at Saratoga Race Course.

Season admission passes are available for purchase at NYRA.com and in-person at the NYRA Box Office at Saratoga Race Course, as well as at more than 150 Stewart's Shops locations throughout the Capital Region. The cost of a 2018 Grandstand season pass is $40; a Clubhouse season pass is $65. A season pass covers admission all 40 days of the meet; reserved seating is not included.

The 2018 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which includes 69 stakes worth $18.8 million in purses, runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 3. After opening weekend, racing will be conducted six days a week, Wednesdays through Mondays. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.