NYRA/Coglianese Photo

28th annual Hat Contest to feature Miss New York as judge during Opening Weekend festivities at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna/Mark Bardack

Miss New York 2019 Lauren Molella to serve as judge for event

Sunday to also include Saratoga picnic cooler giveaway, presented by NYRA Bets

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will honor the tradition of hats in thoroughbred racing with the 28th annual Hat Contest at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday, July 14 as part of Opening Weekend festivities. The Hat Contest is presented by Moet & Chandon and Hat Sationa! By DEI.

Registration for the Hat Contest begins at noon underneath Section A of the grandstand. Hats will be judged after the second, third and fourth races. 

This year's judges' panel will feature Miss New York 2019 Lauren Molella. The 24-year-old from Millbrook, NY, who is a college professor, will also assist in the presentation of prizes to this year's winners. 

Kreative Kids marks the first category of the afternoon and is reserved for those 18 and under. Participants will vie for the first, second and third place prizes of fascinators from Hat Sationa! By DEI.

The Fashionably Saratoga category invites contestants to show off their most elegant and stylish hats after the third race. Following the fourth race, the most original artisans will compete in the Uniquely Saratoga category. 

The grand prize winners in the Fashionably and Uniquely Saratoga categories will each receive a $100 gift certificate to Hat Sationa! By DEI; a table for two at a Saratoga Polo Association match on a Friday or Sunday during the 2019 season; and a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne. 

Second place winners will each receive a $50 gift certificate to Hat Sationa! By DEI and a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne. Third place winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate from Hat Sationa! By DEI and a specialty-branded item from Moet & Chandon.

Sunday will also include the first giveaway of the season: a collapsible, red Saratoga picnic cooler, presented by NYRA Bets. All giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season pass and season ticket holders are guaranteed a Saratoga premium giveaway on the day of the giveaway so long as they are present at Saratoga Race Course and redeem the giveaway by the designated time.

The Hat Contest is one highlight of a blockbuster Opening Weekend that includes Opening Day on Thursday, July 11; Mariano Rivera Day on Friday, July 12; and a performance from "American Idol" star Madison VanDenburg on Saturday, July 13.

Fans can save $2 on grandstand admission to Saratoga Race Course for Opening Weekend with a voucher available at participating Stewart's Shops and Saratoga Downtown Business Association locations. The voucher is valid for use July 11 to 13 through Ticketmaster.com. Limit one transaction per person.

Following Opening Weekend, racing at Saratoga will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Closing week will run Wednesday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. 

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.