NYRA to host annual Military Appreciation Day at Saratoga Race Course
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will recognize the courage and sacrifice of all service members past and present on Military Appreciation Day at Saratoga Race Course. The annual event will be presented by Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady on Thursday, August 14. Gates open at 11 a.m. with first post scheduled for 1:10 p.m.
All veterans and service members will receive free admission with proper military identification. NYRA will also make complimentary tickets available through VetTix.org, which provides tickets to events for veterans and active-duty military personnel.
“NYRA is honored to pay tribute to our courageous veterans and active-duty service members on Military Appreciation Day, which has become an important annual tradition here at Saratoga,” said NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke. “We look forward to sharing an enjoyable and festive day to celebrate all those who protect our freedoms.”
The day’s fifth race is named in honor of Military Appreciation Day and pays tribute to all veterans and active-duty service members. Special recognition will be given to representatives from the various branches of the United States Military.
The third race of the afternoon is named for The Wesley Community, a senior living campus located in Saratoga Springs, which is home to dozens of veterans who will be honored and recognized for their service. Among the veterans is 98-year-old Lou Bacchi who served in World War II with US Naval forces in the Pacific Theater. Bacchi and members of his squadron manned a tug boat to conduct rescues of ships stranded on sandbars in the Philippines Islands.
Prior to the third race, Bacchi will ring the ceremonial bell in the Winner’s Circle for seven times at 17 minutes to post to signify when the horses have entered the paddock.
“The Wesley Community wants to offer its thanks to NYRA for recognizing our very own veterans on Military Appreciation Day,” said Shelly Amato, The Wesley Community Chief Strategy Officer. “NYRA’s acknowledgement each year of the courage and commitment of all veterans and active-duty members of the military reminds us not to take for granted the freedoms we enjoy.”
Special recognition during the afternoon will be given to 88-year-old Korean War Veteran Abram (Abe) Seeberger of nearby Schodack, NY.
A high school student in the 1950s, Seeberger left East Greenbush High School before graduating to enlist in the Army. During his time in the military from 1955 to 1958, he served as a Specialist-3 who was assigned to Detachment A of the 16th Ordnance Company, the Eighth Army at Taejon, South Korea. He and his unit ensured that American soldiers had supplies needed to defend against a North Korean invasion. He was later awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the New York State Cold War Certificate.
This past June - 70 years after leaving high school to join the Army - Seeberger received his diploma from the East Greenbush Central School District as part of Operation Recognition. Operation Recognition is a New York State Veterans’ Services program that enables veterans who left high school to be able to receive their diploma.
NYRA will also honor Roland “Bud” Abare, a Vietnam veteran who enlisted in the Navy in 1965 and served as a medic with the 1st Marine Division from 1967 to 1968. Abare has been an active member of the Boght Community Fire District in Colonie, NY, for 50 years where he joined the first class of paramedics, putting his Naval medic skills to good use.
Abare’s spouse, Donna, is current president of the Blue Star Mothers Chapter NY2, a non-profit volunteer-driven organization which will share information about its mission on Military Appreciation Day.
Blue Star Mothers Chapter NY2 sends more than 1,000 care packages annually to local deployed service members, veterans in need and service members at Fort Drum. Blue Star Mothers is comprised of women whose children either currently serve, or have honorably served, in the military.
Operation At Ease will be in the spotlight on Military Appreciation Day. Founded a decade ago, the non-profit organization pairs dogs from shelters with deserving veterans and first responders. Additionally, Operation At Ease offers resources such as free therapy dog support, ensuring long-lasting assistance for the nation and its community heroes.
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady will present Operation At Ease with a donation in support of its work.
A memorable lineup of activities for Military Appreciation Day gets underway at 12:40 p.m. with the National Anthem performed by Staff Sgt. Frankie Aisporna from West Point. NYRA employees who are veterans or active members of the military or National Guard will be recognized during this time.
The New York-based 42nd Infantry Division Brass Quintet will perform trackside during the afternoon.
Military Appreciation Day will also feature a working replica of a 1777 Saratoga Campaign cannon that will be part of the 250th commemoration of the "Henry Knox Noble Train of Artillery." Starting in December, it will trace the route taken in 1775 from Fort Ticonderoga along Lake George and the Hudson River corridor, then across Massachusetts to Boston in March 2026. The artillery delivered to Dorchester Heights in March 1776 directly forced the British out of Boston - celebrated ever since as Evacuation Day. The cannon will be on display in partnership with Saratoga County and the Saratoga 250 Commission.
Highlighted by the 156th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on Saturday, August 23, the Saratoga summer meet continues through Monday, September 1. Racing is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from closing week, when the 2025 summer meet will conclude on Labor Day.
For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.