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NYRA celebrates First Responders Appreciation Day at Saratoga Race Course

by NYRA Press Office

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today honored police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics during First Responders Appreciation Day at Saratoga Race Course. First Responders Appreciation Day was presented by Brookview Village.

The day featured free grandstand admission for all first responders with proper identification. NYRA welcomed local police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics to the winner's circle for the day's second race, which was named in honor of first responders.

Numerous local police, fire and emergency service departments hosted activities and demonstrations at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion throughout the afternoon, including the distribution of children's identification cards from the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office and a child safety seat demonstration from the New York State Police. Additionally, children in attendance were invited to be fitted for a free bicycle helmet, courtesy of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County.

Other agencies and organizations represented on-track during the day included Clifton Park EMS; Mechanicville Police Department; New York State Association of Fire Chiefs; Saratoga County Office of Mental Health; Saratoga Springs Fire Department; Saratoga Springs Police Department; and the Stop the Bleed program at Albany Medical Center. Young fans enjoyed face painting from Stellar Face and Body Art and caricature drawings from artist Phil Singer.

First Responders Appreciation Day comes in advance of the 91st running of the Grade 1, $1.2 million Whitney at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 4. The nine-furlong Whitney will pair with the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test for 3-year-old fillies, and the Grade 3, $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya for turf fillies and mares. Saturday will also feature two additional turf stakes: the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure and the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose for fillies and mares.

The Whitney will be part of a special NYRA Bets Lake Pick 5. The multi-race wager covers the last five races of every card of live racing at Saratoga. The Whitney Day edition will feature a minimum single-ticket payout of $500,000 to NYRA Bets customers nationwide online and on-track in New York. The offer is only available to NYRA Bets members.

A special edition of Saratoga Live will be broadcast on FS2 beginning at 2:30 p.m. NBCSN will air live coverage of the Longines Test and Whitney beginning at 5 p.m. The Whitney is scheduled to go to post at 5:46 p.m.

Gates will open at 10:30 a.m. on Whitney Day with first post scheduled for 1 p.m.

All guests will be subject to enhanced screening upon entering the grounds and are strongly encouraged to allot extra time for arrival.

Grandstand admission for Whitney Day is $5 and Clubhouse admission is $8 for guests who purchase their tickets prior to the day of the event. Grandstand admission is $7 and Clubhouse admission is $10 when purchased at the gate.

The 2018 season at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 3. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.