The “Rachel Alexandra Show” will anchor an unprecedented series of special events and activities to mark the concluding days of the 141st meet at Saratoga Race Course.

The highlight of the final stretch at Saratoga will be Rachel’s run for the record books as the 3-year-old filly seeks to make history, again, by becoming the first female to beat older males in the 56th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward on Saturday, September 5.

In addition to Rachel’s potential history making run, the elongated Labor Day week will include Thousand Dollar Thursday, Friday’s inaugural College Day, the traditional Final Stretch Music Festival, Family Fun Fest, Labor Day Barbeque and Fan Appreciation Day, in addition to a special ceremony on Sunday to honor Commentator on the occasion of his retirement from racing.

“With a blockbuster series of upcoming events and activities, the traditional Labor Day weekend has been transformed into a full-fledged Labor Day week,” said Charlie Hayward, the president and chief executive officer of the New York Racing Association (NYRA). “NYRA is working diligently with its partners, the city of Saratoga Springs and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, to ensure that word gets out to visitors and local residents of the change in this year’s holiday calendar!”

Thousand-Dollar Thursday: Thursday, September 3

The New York Racing Association will award 15 pari-mutuel wagering vouchers worth $1,000 each to fans who can use them through the final day of the meet, Monday, September 7. Tickets will be distributed at the admissions booths of Saratoga Race Course when gates open at 11 a.m. Beginning at 1 p.m., three tickets will be drawn every 15 minutes until $15,000 in vouchers is given away. The vouchers must be utilized on track and expire on Labor Day.

“Thousand Dollar Thursday is our way of extending our appreciation to the finest horseracing fans in the world,” said NYRA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Hal Handel. “Saratoga’s fans have helped to make this year a phenomenal success, despite a challenging economy, and we would like to take this opportunity to reward them with $15,000 worth of wagering on us.”

College Day and Party at the Park: Friday, September 4

College students will have the opportunity to win a $1,000 scholarship from NYRA after each race as Saratoga Race Course welcomes them back to their favorite course with the first ever College Day on Friday, September 4. All students will receive free grandstand admission with a valid college ID.

Beginning at noon, students may enter to win the scholarships and many other prizes, including iPods, iTunes gift cards, a digital camera, $200 airline gift card, a DVD player, and gift cards to Target and Dunkin’ Donuts at the Big Red Spring. The first 1,000 students to register will receive a commemorative College Day t-shirt, white with the phrase, “My favorite course…Saratoga Race Course” and corresponding artwork.

SUNY Cobleskill and the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) are partnering with NYRA to double and triple the $1,000 scholarships, respectively, for students pursuing equine related course work in their innovative programs. Students will also enjoy activities like karaoke and team trivia. Food specials will be available throughout the day.

College Day coincides with “Party at the Park,” and a special first post time of 2:30 p.m. After the races, Saratoga will host a live concert in the backyard featuring the acoustic harmonies of the Guthrie Brothers, known for their “unplugged” style.

Rachel Alexandra Show and Final Stretch Music Festival: Saturday, September 5

Audience participation will take on a new meaning as “The Rachel Alexandra Show” comes to Saratoga Race Course for Saturday’s 56th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes.

With gates at the historic racetrack opening early at 7 a.m., just as they did on Shadwell Travers Day, the first 25,000 fans will receive a commemorative Rachel Alexandra button, with paid admission, in recognition of her attempt to make history again in the 1 1/8th mile race against older males.

Jess Jackson’s leading contender for Horse of the Year and owner of an eight-race winning streak, including two victories over top 3-year-old colts in the Preakness Stakes and the Haskell Invitational, Rachel Alexandra is seeking to become the first filly or mare ever to win the Woodward Stakes.

Fans can purchase Rachel Alexandra T-shirts and caps in the NYRA stores at the racetrack this week. The net proceeds from the sales will go to a breast cancer non-profit, the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure.

In addition, in The Paddock Tent and the At the Rail Pavilion, all ladies and children will get a half-price buffet at $24.50, and everyone of drinking age in either location will also receive one complimentary glass of champagne. Reservations can be made through NYRA Group Sales at (888) 285-5961.

After the conclusion of the day’s races, fans can make their way downtown for the two-day Final Stretch Music Festival. Nearly a dozen bands will provide free musical entertainment at familiar downtown locations on both Saturday and Sunday evenings. Music will fill the streets of downtown Saratoga from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with a mix of jazz, blues, acoustic, funk, pop and hip-hop. Popular local and regional bands will include Flavor, Bourbon Renewal, Bob Warren & Friends, Phantogram, Rick Bolton & the Dwyer Sisters, Solid Smoke, Almost Uncommom, Happy Balkie & The Good Livin’ and Two Bits String Band.

Commentator, Family Fun Fest, Winter Cap Giveaway: Sunday, September 6

NYRA will pay tribute to one of the fastest and most popular horses in racing when the recently retired Commentator is honored at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday, September 6.

NYRA will name the fifth race, an overnight stakes race for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up, “The Commentator.” Commentator will appear in the paddock before the race and then head to the main track. After parading for fans in front of the stands, Commentator, wearing a No. 1 saddlecloth, will be led into the winner’s circle to enjoy an edible key to the city in his favorite flavor — mint.

The 8-year-old chestnut gelding, owned by Tracy Farmer and trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, retired in August after falling short in his bid to become just the third horse in history to win the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap three times. NYRA President Charlie Hayward will present Zito and the Farmers with framed commemorative photo collages of Commentator. A highlight video of Commentator’s career will be shown on monitors throughout the racetrack.

The final two days of the meet will be marked by a host of activities for children at the Family Fun Fest. Families can enjoy pony rides, caricatures, clowns, magicians, jugglers, face painting, spin art and giant inflatables. The excitement will take place on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the backyard. All proceeds from games, pony rides and other select activities will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.

The final Sunday of the meet marks the last premium giveaway of the season, a Saratoga ski cap -- ideal for the ensuing winter months. The stylish red knit cap features the traditional Saratoga logo and is free with paid admission, while supplies last.

Festivities will again spill over into downtown Saratoga Springs for the second and final night of the Final Stretch Music Festival, a free event from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with live musical entertainment at several downtown locations.

Fan Appreciation Day, Family Fun Fest, Labor Day BBQ and Three Chimneys Hopeful: Monday, September 7

All fans will receive free admission on Monday, September 7, Saratoga’s final day of the 2009 racing meet, Fan Appreciation Day.

As horseracing fans prepare for the final call to the post, Saratoga Race Course will host a traditional Labor Day barbeque to bring the summer racing season to a close in true American style. For $20 ($14 for kids ages 3 – 12), fans can enjoy a selection of barbeque favorites, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salad, dessert and more at the At the Rail and Paddock Pavilions. The price includes Clubhouse admission and an official “Post Parade” program. For tickets to the Labor Day barbecue, call 518-584-6200 ext. 4012 or 4476.

Families can also enjoy day two of the Family Fun Fest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with children’s activities returning to the backyard.

The traditional final feature race, the 105th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful for two-year-olds, will afford racing fans a preview at potential standouts in next year’s Kentucky Derby and Shadwell Travers Stakes.

For up-to-date information on all Final Stretch activities, please visit www.nyra.com/saratogaevents.