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On Sunday, July 27th, it’s an annual tradition – the Hat Contest. Categories include “Kreative Kids”, “Fashionably Saratoga” and “Uniquely Saratoga”.
Registration is at noon. Prizes include Saratoga merchandise, lunch in the Clubhouse and betting vouchers.
7 – 9:30 a.m. – Breakfast Tradition Turns 140 Breakfast, Clubhouse Porch: 7 – 9:30 a.m.: Top Ten Thoroughbreds at Saratoga, NYRA-TV, After Each Race: Commemorative Giveaway, Big Red Spring, 10:30 a.m.: Historical Displays, Backyard, All Day: The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will host an exhibit in the backyard, near the Big Red Spring, featuring a timeline and photo display of thoroughbred racing through the ages. Impressions of Saratoga will showcase an extensive lineup of vintage racing memorabilia and souvenirs, plus will offer fans free appraisals of their track memorabilia. Book Launch and Signing, Paddock Fence, 1 -3 p.m.: Ice Cream Sampling, Big Red Spring, Beginning at 2 p.m. Music, All Day: Postal Cancellation, Saratoga Race Course Post Office, All Day: Gentlemen’s Activities, Jockey Silks Room, All Day: Sports Superfecta Day hits
Bill Parcells hosts the NFL Alumni Upstate New York Chapters’ Day at Saratoga Race Course on Monday, August 11th. Three Hall of Famers (Michael Haynes, Bobby Bell and Lenny Moore) will be joined by: NY Giants NY Jets Louis Lipps, Pittsburgh Steelers
Click here for Travers Festival information
Saturday, August 16 The Travers Festival gets underway with a pair of Grade 1 races at America’s racetrack: the Alabama and the Sword Dancer Invitational, setting the stage for a week of blockbuster competition at Saratoga, including nine graded stakes. The sport’s top three-year-old fillies will run in the $600,000 Alabama at a mile and a quarter; while premier older turf horses will race in the $500,000 Sword Dancer at a mile and a half.
Sunday, August 17 For the cool summer nights, all Saratoga Race Course patrons will receive a Saratoga Long Sleeve T-Shirt free with paid admission, while supplies last. The premium giveaway is sponsored by The Adirondack Trust Company. Paying tribute to Saratoga’s rich heritage and culture, the Saratoga Springs History Museum will present the 30th annual Saratoga Springs Antique Show at the Canfield Casino. The show features antiques from dealers from all over the eastern United States offering a variety of furnishings, jewelry, art and more. The show runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and admission is $7 per person. For more information, visit www.saratogasprings-historymuseum.org.
Monday, August 18 Head to the track for today’s feature race, the Union Avenue (NYB). Post Time is 1 p.m. Then, check out the backyard for a culinary competition like no other: the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. A 12-minute consumption challenge, the contest will test the talents of the area’s most dogged eaters. Those wishing to enter can sign up prior to the frank fest.
Tuesday, August 19 Take a break on this “dark Tuesday” and visit the NYRA Recreation Center in Saratoga Springs for La Fiesta, a festival celebrating backstretch cultural traditions through music, food, the arts and much more. La Fiesta is free and open to the public. It begins at 5 p.m. For more information, call (518) 584-0400 x133.
Wednesday, August 20 Racing fans can cool down at the track with the Stewart’s Shops Annual Ice Cream Eating Contest. One of the best ways to beat the summer heat, those wishing to enter the “chilly” competition can sign up for the kids, teens or adult categories near the jockey silks room. The contest begins at 2 p.m. After the races, join the Belmont Child Care Association for a Western round-up dinner and action fundraiser honoring leading trainer Todd Pletcher and his wife Tracy. Held at the Saratoga City Center, from 6:30 p.m.until midnight, tickets are $250 per person and can be reserved by calling (516) 527-4746.
Thursday, August 21 Celebrate the winner of the 2007 Travers Stakes, Street Sense, and his connections: owner James Tafel, trainer Carl Nafzger and jockey Calvin Borel with an evening of dinner and dancing at the 8th Annual Travers Celebration. The Travers Celebration is the only evening fundraiser held at Saratoga Race Course and annually raises $100,000 for charitable causes. Enjoy cocktails at 7:30 p.m. and a gourmet dinner at 8:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York (B.E.S.T.) and the Double H Ranch. To purchase tickets, call (518) 383-6183 until July 23, and then (518) 584-6200 x4233.
Friday, August 22 The backyard will play host to the area’s best brews as thirsty adults enjoy the ultimate in beer tasting: the 11th Annual Battle of the Brews. The festival will feature some of the best microbrewery beers in the area with proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. For ticket information, call (518) 792-6545. On the eve of the Travers, the feature race is the $400,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares. This Grade 1 affair will be run on the turf at 10 furlongs.
Saturday, August 23 – TRAVERS DAY It’s Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course with a special first post time at High Noon. The gates open at 7 a.m. for the traditional dash to the backyard (a tamer version of the running of the bulls) as fans stake out their territory to watch the 139th running of the Travers presented by Shadwell Farm. The sport’s top three-year-olds clash in the oldest stakes race in North America at the classic distance of a mile and a quarter. Travers Day will also feature the world’s premier Grade 1 dirt sprint for three-year-olds, the NetJets King’s Bishop. Two additional graded stakes, the Bernard Baruch Handicap and the Victory Ride, will round out the summer’s most spectacular sports spectacle at Saratoga.
Sunday, August 24 The Travers Festival concludes with a backstretch art exhibit and sale at Saratoga Race Course. Featuring black and white photos of life along the backstretch, the exhibit showcases the images of dozens of backstretch workers. The exhibit is a project of Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council’s Latino Community Advocacy Program which provides English classes and bilingual assistance to backstretch workers.For more information, call (518) 587-3158. Wilton Mall will host a free Family Fun Day featuring clowns, face painting and carnival games. Sponsored by Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist (H.O.P.E.), families can adopt kittens and cats from Noon until 5 p.m. For more information, contact (518) 885-0829.
The “dog days of summer” will take on a whole new meaning as Saratoga Race Course on Monday, August 18th with the 2nd consecutive year of of the world famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest. The 12-minute eating challenge will heat up in the backyard as big-eaters bite at the opportunity to “pig-out” in the summer’s biggest hot dog binge. The winner receives a year’s supply of hot dogs, courtesy of Nathan’s. Registration is at 1 p.m. back by the Big Red Spring.
The coolest way to beat the summer heat, racing fans will come to the Spa spoon-in-hand as they prepare to compete in the ultimate in chilly contests – the Stewart’s ice cream eating on Wednesday, August 20th. Registration is at 1 p.m. at the Jockey Silks Room. Contestants will be divided into three age groups - kids, teens and adults - as they battle to see who can down a pint of ice cream the fastest. The competition will unfold outside the jockey silks area at Saratoga Race Course. The winner will receive gift certificates for free ice cream courtesy of Stewart’s Shops. The Stewart’s Shops Ice Cream Eating Contest is part of the 13th annual Travers Festival, which celebrates the 139th running of the Travers Stakes presented by Shadwell Farm on Saturday, August 23.
Celebrate your red, white and blue pride and enjoy some great activities in the backyard by the Big Red Spring. All-new displays by the NY National Guard, the NY Army National Guard and the NY Air National Guard include:
Don’t miss the Military Museum display or music from the 77th Balladeers and youth from the Music Studio. There will also be information and interactive displays from the military branches plus special military races.
A relationship that began nine years ago will culminate in the wedding of the Saratoga season as Jim Barbetta and Michelle Mattiske of Waterford, NY, exchange marriage vows at the Spa this summer as part of the first-ever Saratoga Race to the Altar. The pair was chosen by the public out of four finalists in an online poll to celebrate their wedding day in the Winner’s Circle of Saratoga Race Course on Friday, August 29, the start of Labor Day weekend. The public will now help plan the ceremony and the reception by voting each Beginning Thursday, July 10, Capital Region residents will be asked to help plan the Saratoga Race to the Altar wedding by voting each week for their top choice within the following bridal categories:
The weekly online polls will start each Monday at www.timesunion.com/saratoga. Each Monday, the top selection from the designated category will be announced. Wedding coordinators from Details Wedding Planning will assist the Saratoga Race to the Altar couple through the ceremony and reception planning process. Event coordinated in association with Details Wedding Planning. Wedding Photography by Metroland Photo. Flowers by Hidden Gardens "Extraordinary Floral Design" Antiques for Garden & Home. Limousine provided by Premiere Transportation Group.
On the final two days of the140th racing season, families are invited to experience fun, games, and entertainment at Saratoga Race Course’s annual Family Fun Fest, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. The two-day festival will take place on Sunday, August 31st from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Monday, September 1st, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. During this time, the backyard area will host a variety of family-friendly attractions such as carnival games, face painting, caricatures, spin art, giant inflatables and pony rides. Juggler and stilt walker Sparkles will entertain both young and old and the Backyard Circus will provide family amusement with its whimsical circus act. Families can also climb Coca-Cola’s inflatable rock wall, try the Adrenaline Rush obstacle course, or bounce in the Bounce Around house. Proceeds from activities at the Family Fun Fest benefit Ronald McDonald Charities of the Capital Region. The non-profit organization provides comfort, support and respite for families of seriously ill children in a compassionate, home-like environment.
The Spa will provide fans with one last chance to indulge in a traditional red, white and blue afternoon at America’s racetrack featuring a quintessential Labor Day barbecue lunch. For $20 ($14 for kids ages 3 – 12), fans can enjoy an all-American barbeque that features hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salad, dessert and more at the track’s At the Rail tent and Paddock Pavilion. The price includes Clubhouse admission and an official “Post Parade” program. For reservations, call group sales at (518) 584-6200, ext. 4476 or stop by any track information booth. Event details subject to change. |
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