WHAT: Saratoga Race Course’s 141st season.

WHEN: 36 days. Wednesday, July 29 through Monday, September 7, Labor Day. No racing on Tuesdays.

WHERE: Saratoga Race Course, Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

BROCHURE: Click here to view the Saratoga Race Course 2009 brochure

FIRST RACE POST TIME: 1 p.m. Eastern. On Shadwell Travers Day, Saturday, August 29, first race post is 11:35 a.m. Party at the Park Racing on Friday, July 31 and Friday, September 4, first race post is 2:30 p.m.

ADMISSION: General admission is $3; Clubhouse admission is $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Admission gates open at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. on weekends. On Shadwell Travers Day, Saturday, August 29, gates open at 7 a.m. Shadwell Travers Day admission is $5 general admission; $10 for Clubhouse. Reserved seating is sold separately.

PARKING: Trackside parking is $10 and general parking is free. Handicapped parking is available at the Clubhouse and Grandstand entrances. Parking gates open at 7 a.m. on Shadwell Travers Day, Saturday, August 29. NO BREAKFAST PARKING REFUNDS ON SHADWELL TRAVERS DAY, Saturday, August 29. There is also Oklahoma Preferred Parking for $5 on the corner of East Avenue and Union Avenue (not trackside).

COOLERS: Coolers are permitted at Saratoga Race Course on the trackside apron, Top of the Stretch and the backyard area ONLY. No coolers will be allowed anywhere inside the building. ALL GLASS CONTAINERS ARE PROHIBITED. All coolers and any carry-in items are subject to inspection by NYRA Security.

RESERVED SEATS: A limited number of Grandstand seats are on sale each morning of a race day at the Reserved Seat Office at Union Avenue Gate at 8 a.m. (7 a.m. on Shadwell Travers Day, Saturday, August 29). These are limited to four per person on a cash-only basis. Clubhouse seats Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, are $10 per seat; on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, they are $15 per seat. Grandstand seats are $6 per seat on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; $8 per seat on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Shadwell Travers Day, Saturday, August 29, clubhouse seats are $25 and grandstand seats are $18. For more information on reserved seats, call 1-800-814-7846. No telephone orders are accepted.

The 2009 summer meet at Saratoga begins on Wednesday, July 29 and concludes on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Post time is 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays (Tuesdays are dark) except when the Spa hosts its Party at the Park (Friday, July 31 and Friday, September 4) when first post time is 2:30 p.m. The racing meet’s showcase event, the $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes, is run for the 140th time on Saturday, August 29 with a special first post time of 11:35 am.

SPECIAL EVENTS

29th ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, July 26, FREE! 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors get a free sneak-peek into the popular summer meet prior to the start of racing season, with a full day of games, activities, live music, food, pony rides, behind-the-scenes tours, mascot races, handicapping seminars, and non-wagering horse racing. Proceeds from the day’s events benefit dozens of local non-profit organizations.

OPENING DAY AT SARATOGA: Wednesday, July 29. It’s now Post Time as the 141st season of racing at Saratoga commences! Gates open at 11 a.m. and first Post Time is 1 p.m.

PARTY AT THE PARK: Friday, July 31. The first of two “Party at the Park” events takes place on the first Friday of the meet with special post time of 2:30 p.m., including live music on stage in the backyard.

HATS OFF TO SARATOGA: Friday July 31 – Sunday, August 2. This three-day festival includes world-class racing, live music downtown and at the track, and a wide array of headpieces to celebrate the start of the racing season.

18th ANNUAL HAT CONTEST AND FREE SARATOGA BASEBALL CAP GIVEAWAY: Sunday, August 2. Each contestant will go head-to-head for prizes worth hundreds of dollars. For contest information call (518) 383-6183 and after July 29, call (518) 584-6200. Patrons take home a FREE Alabama Stakes baseball cap, with paid admission, while supplies last. Giveaway coupons may be redeemed at designated locations until the post time of the 9th race.

MID-SUMMER ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Wednesday, August 5. Come celebrate the luck o’ the Irish as Saratoga celebrates St. Patrick’s Day in August. Local Irish bands will perform supplemented by an array of Irish entertainment, including traditional Irish step dancers.

FASIG-TIPTON FESTIVAL OF RACING: Saturday, August 8 – Sunday, August 9. The Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing celebrates the rich history of Fasig-Tipton in Saratoga and the upcoming Select Yearling Sales. The festival will include a Jockey/Trainer Challenge, Best Turned Out horse contests, Best Turned Out “Filly”/Lady Contest, a speaker series featuring Legends of Racing, and a book signing and race call by celebrity chef Bobby Flay.

NFL DAY: Monday, August 10. Former football favorites greet fans during a morning autograph signing session and lunch to raise proceeds for charity.

RACING HALL OF FAME DAY: Friday, August 14. Induction ceremony is at 10:30 a.m. at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion on East Avenue. The public is invited and admission is free as the Hall of Fame welcomes trainers Bob Baffert and Janet Elliot, jockey Eddie Maple and the horses Ben Nevis II, Silverbulletday and Tiznow.

Later, fans meet the newest and returning inductees to the National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame during an afternoon autograph session at the Spa.

SARATOGA T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY: Sunday, August 16. Visitors can pick up a FREE Saratoga t-shirt, one of the season’s hottest souvenirs, with paid admission, while supplies last. Giveaway coupons may be redeemed at designated locations until the post time of the 9th race.

WOMEN’S DAY: Wednesday, August 19. Ladies spending the day at the track will have the opportunity to learn more about women’s issues, fashion and health at booths set up in the backyard, as the Saratoga Race Course caters to women during this expo, now in its fourth year.

14TH ANNUAL TRAVERS FESTIVAL: Saturday, August 22 - Sunday, August 30. The Travers Festival celebrates the 140th running of the $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes! Visitors can enjoy nine days of special events, kicking off with the Alabama Stakes for the nation’s top three year-old fillies. For more information on the Travers Festival, pick up a brochure at Saratoga Race Course, call 1-800-526-8970, or log onto www.saratoga.org.

SARATOGA LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY: Sunday, August 23. Visitors can pick up a FREE Saratoga long sleeve shirt, perfect for a cool evening, with paid admission, while supplies last. Giveaway coupons may be redeemed at designated locations until the post time of the 9th race.

STEWART’S SHOPS ICE CREAM EATING CONTEST: Wednesday, August 26. Participants see how much ice cream they can devour without succumbing to brain freeze! Contestants are divided into three age groups – kids, teens and adults. The winners receive gift certificates for free Stewart’s Shops ice cream.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BATTLE OF THE BREWS: Friday, August 28. Visitors 21 and older get the chance to taste a variety of brews and vote on their favorites. Proceeds ($25 to participate) benefit the Adirondack-Saratoga chapter of the Red Cross.

THE SHADWELL TRAVERS STAKES: Saturday, August 29. It is Saratoga’s biggest race, the 140th running of the $1 million Shadwell Travers, the “Mid-Summer Derby” for three-year-olds at a mile and a quarter. First post-time is 11:35 a.m. and gates open at 7 a.m. The Shadwell Travers day undercard will include the Grade 1 NetJets King’s Bishop, the Grade 1 Ballerina, the Grade 2 Ballston Spa and the Grade 3 Victory Ride.

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN DAY: Wednesday, September 2. Celebrate America’s heritage and show off your patriotic spirit as Saratoga Race Course honors veterans and active military with FREE grandstand admission, with proper identification.

COLLEGE DAY/PARTY AT THE PARK: Friday, September 4. College students vie for their shot to win a $1,000 scholarship after each race. First post time is 2:30 p.m. as college students and racing fans bid farewell to summer with the final Friday Party at the Park, including live music.

FINAL STRETCH FESTIVAL: Saturday, September 5 – Monday, September 7. The three-day festival marks the culmination of the Saratoga racing season with live music downtown and at the track, a family fun fest, and Labor Day BBQ to mark the final day of the 36-day meet.

WINTER CAP GIVEAWAY: Sunday, September 6. Visitors can pick up a FREE winter cap, with paid admission, while supplies last. Giveaway coupons may be redeemed at designated locations until the post time of the 9th race.

FAMILY FUN FEST/LABOR DAY BBQ: Sunday, September 6 - Monday, September 7. Families can enjoy an afternoon of kid-friendly activities in the backyard, which benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. Visitors also bid goodbye to another season with a traditional Labor Day BBQ. The specially priced family BBQ includes Clubhouse admission, official track program, BBQ lunch and tax. To order, call Group Sales at 1-888-285-5961.

GROUP ACCOMMODATIONS: Special rates on dining packages for groups of 20 or more. Dining packages consist of admission, official track program, and buffet lunch (tax and gratuity included). For information on groups and availability on Saratoga’s air-conditioned Luxury Suites, call 1-888-285-5961.

ULTIMATE SARATOGA RACING PACKAGE: Two-nights stay at one of the area’s finest hotels, breakfast at the track, lunch “At the Rail” and dinner downtown, plus a backstretch tour and admission to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, all starting at one low price. Call 1-800-653-0231 or visit www.saratoga.org for more information.

NEW NYRA REWARDS SCHEDULE: NYRA Rewards recently announced a new and upgraded rewards schedule with new awards levels and increased rebates! Reward member monthly point totals are now associated with corresponding member levels, ranging from Bronze and Silver all the way up to the highest tier, Diamond. Each tier is associated with a different cash back percentage, almost all of which have been increased from the previous reward schedule. Members receive one point for every dollar wagered on NYRA races, and a half-point for every dollar wagered on a simulcast event. Points totaled at the end of each month are deposited into a member’s account based on monthly wagering volume. With the old schedule, a member earning 5,000 points during a one month period would earn $75 cash back. With the new schedule that member will earn $87.50 cash back! Bets may be placed through on-track self-service machines with a swipe of a membership card, or, for added convenience, through NYRA’s newly improved player-friendly telephone wagering system. Fans may enroll by calling 1 (800) THE-NYRA, or by logging onto www.nyrarewards.com.

UK AND SOCAL RACING: Racing fans can watch and wager on the best of British racing in the mornings and enjoy twilight simulcasting from the West coast from the comfortable confines of expanded backyard English/SoCal Racing Tent, presented by Hendrick’s Gin, this summer at Saratoga Race Course. Featuring Hendrick’s Gin, small-batch libations and a full bar, the spacious tent pub also offers southern California-style fare for purchase. Additionally, Twilight Racing concerts will take place on July 31 and September 4 on the newly-erected backyard stage adjacent to the Racing Tent. There is no cover charge or admission for seating in the Racing Tent. On Saratoga Opening Day, July 29, first race post time for “Racing Across the Pond” is approximately 9:15 a.m., with Goodwood as the featured track of the week. Offered Wednesday through Saturdays mornings until Sept. 5, UK Racing offers simulcasting from such legendary tracks as Newmarket, Sandown, Newbury and Thirsk, with an afternoon-only card on Friday, Aug. 7. In addition, Tuesday, Aug. 18 will mark the start of four days of simulcasting from York, featuring a trio of Grade 1 races in the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Darley Yorkshire Oaks and the Nunthorpe Stakes and a first-race post time of 8:45 a.m.

TALKING HORSES, PRESENTED BY DAILY RACING FORM: New this summer, the popular longstanding daily show will be conducted in a live audience format from the Carousel Restaurant at Saratoga Race Course. The show will be extended to 45 minutes, 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. every racing day and broadcast live. Scratches and changes have been moved to 11:40 a.m. to allow the live program to be broadcast uninterrupted on all on-track monitors.

TOM DURKIN’S THIRD RACE CALL FOR CHARITY: Fans will get a chance to sit with track announcer Tom Durkin as he calls the day’s third race, and at the same time, get a spectacular view of Saratoga Race Course. Tickets are $100 with all proceeds going to the health programs administered by the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T). Limited to six fans daily July 29 to September 7; Shadwell Travers Day not available. For reservations, call 516 488-3434 or 518-587-3720 beginning July 29.

ATTIRE: Box Seats: Gentlemen – suits or sports jackets required. Ties not required. Ladies – dresses, skirts or slack outfits. No jeans, shorts, or abbreviated wear permitted. DINING AREAS, TURF TERRACE: Neat casual attire. No jeans, shorts, or abbreviated wear permitted. Gentlemen – collared shirts required. Management reserves the right to use its discretion to determine neat casual attire. Paddock Tent, At the Rail Pavilion, The Porch, Club Terrace & Carousel Restaurant: Proper attire at management’s discretion. Gentlemen – no tank tops. No short shorts, cutoffs, or abbreviated wear permitted. Paddock Saddling Area & Winner’s Circle: No shorts or abbreviated wear permitted. Gentlemen – collared shirts required. Clubhouse: No short shorts, cutoffs, or abbreviated wear permitted. No tank tops. Proper attire at management’s discretion. Grandstand: Shoes and shirts are required at all times. People 12 years old and over must abide by the dress code.

BREAKFAST AT SARATOGA: A long-standing tradition is to watch the morning workouts at Saratoga. A buffet breakfast is served every racing day from 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Admission to the breakfast is free, except on Shadwell Travers Day, Saturday, August 29, and vehicles leaving the grounds before 10 a.m. get a parking refund. Morning visitors may also take a free walking tour of the Backstretch Area and watch the Paddock Show and Starting Gate Demonstration. There are no tours on Shadwell Travers Day, Saturday, August 29 or Closing Day, Labor Day, Monday, September 7. The buffet is priced at $14.95 per person, $7.95 for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Race fans who wish to attend the afternoon’s races are charged admission upon re-entering the track. For more information, call Customer Service at (718) 641-4700; from July 29 – September 7, call (518) 584-6200.

GIVEAWAYS: All giveaways are free with each paid admission, while supplies last.

Click here to view the 2009 giveaway items

NOTE: Saratoga will again offer “spinner-free” service – a dedicated turnstile at the East Avenue admission gate specifically designed for patrons who wish to avoid the potentially lengthy lines on giveaway days. No coupons will be issued in this express lane which will be reserved for fans seeking expedient admission to the grandstand.

TRACK FACTS

MAIN TRACK: 1 1/8-mile oval with seven-furlong chute; 4 percent banking on the turns; distance from final turn to the finish line is 1,144 feet.

TURF COURSES: The Mellon (Outer) Turf Course is a one-mile (plus 98 feet) oval; 4 percent banking on the turns; distance from final turn to the finish line is 1,144 feet; The Inner Turf Course is a seven-furlong (plus 304 feet) oval; 4 percent banking on the turns; distance from final turn to finish is 1,164 feet.

OKLAHOMA TRAINING TRACK: One-mile oval with a quarter-mile chute; 2 percent banking on the turns; distance from final turn to the finish line is 990 feet.

OKLAHOMA TURF COURSE: Seven-furlong oval; 2 percent banking on the turns; distance from final turn to the finish line is 1,024 feet.

OKLAHOMA STEEPLECHASE COURSE: Six-furlong oval, five fences.

CLARE COURT TRAINING TRACK: Half-mile oval; 1.5 percent banking on the turns.

STEEPLECHASE: Thursdays will be Steeplechase Thursdays. The Grade 2, $100,000 A.P. Smithwick will be run on Thursday, August 6. On Thursday, August 27, the feature will be the Grade 1, $100,000 New York Turf Writers Steeplechase at two and three-eighths miles, which will be run as the eighth race on the card.

From New York Metropolitan Area: New York Thruway (I-90) to Exit 24 at Albany; then the Adirondack Northway (I-87) to Exit 14.

From Western New York: New York Thruway (I-90) to Exit 28 at Fultonville; to Johnstown and Route 29E to Saratoga Springs; or Exit 27 to Amsterdam, Route 30 N to Route 67 E to Ballston Spa and Route 50 to Saratoga Springs.

From Upstate and Canada: Northway (I-87) to Exit 14.

From Massachusetts and Connecticut: Massachusetts Turnpike to New York Thruway (I-90) then Adirondack Northway (I-87) to Exit 14.

From Vermont and New Hampshire: Route 40 to Schuylerville and Route 29 to Saratoga Springs.

By Train: Amtrak offers an all-inclusive package to Saratoga every Saturday and Sunday throughout the meet. The package includes round-trip rail on Amtrak, transfers, Clubhouse Admission to Saratoga Race Course and official track program. For a list of departure cities, prices and reservations, call 1-800-USA-RAIL and refer to the Saratoga Race Course Special. Daily service is also available. Overnight packages are available in Saratoga Springs by calling Empress Travel at 1-800-653-0231.

SWITCHBOARD: Until July 26 (718) 641-4700; From July 27 – September 7, (518) 584-6200.

ON-LINE: www.nyra.com, www.nyragroupsales.com