NYRA offers special activities for Great American Eclipse at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna; Mark Bardack

Eclipse Award-winning jockeys join with fans to watch Eclipse at the Spa

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today welcomed fans to enjoy a once in a lifetime event while witnessing the Great American Eclipse at Saratoga Race Course.

Saratoga Race Course experienced a partial eclipse from approximately 1:22 to 3:55 p.m. Track announcer Larry Collmus made an announcement to alert fans when the eclipse reached its peak of 66 percent at approximately 2:41 p.m. To accommodate the announcement and allow fans the opportunity to view the eclipse, post time for the day's fourth race was moved from 2:40 to 2:45 p.m.

Eclipse Award-winning jockeys Angel Cordero, Jr., Ramon Dominguez and Richard Migliore made a special appearance on the press box roof to watch the natural phenomenon.

The Eclipse Awards are honors that are bestowed annually upon the top performers in the Thoroughbred industry.

Fans were invited to view the eclipse on telescopes equipped for solar viewing at the paddock information booth, which is noted as the best viewing location on the property. Astronomer Benjamin Palmer of Queensbury, NY, who serves as a tour guide with the guest services department at Saratoga Race Course, was available to answer questions about the eclipse.

Fans of all ages at Berkshire Bank Family Mondays enjoyed solar eclipse-themed arts and crafts as part of the day's festivities at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion.

The 2017 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.