NYRA/Coglianese Photo

NYRA to host Irish-American Day at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna/Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will celebrate the culture of those of Irish-American descent during Irish-American Day at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, August 22.  

The day-long festivities will feature Irish music, dance, entertainment and food from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. 

Fans are encouraged to celebrate by wearing green and decorating their backyard picnic tables with Irish-themed décor.

Step dancers from The Boland School of Irish Dance will greet guests at the grandstand and clubhouse entrances beginning at 11:30 a.m. The dancers will also perform trackside at approximately 2:45 p.m. following the day's fourth race.  

Performances from An Clar School of Irish Dance, The Boland School of Irish Dance and Bethlehem Traditional Irish Dance will take place at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion throughout the day. Local bands Spancilhill and the Grafton Street Trio will also perform during the afternoon.

A number of chefs from the greater Capital Region will provide tastings of classic Irish dishes inside the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion during the afternoon, including:

• Traditional Irish Soda Bread
• Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls
• Carrot, Parsnip and Potato Soup
• And Chocolate Guinness Brownies

Traditional Irish food and beverage offerings will also be available for purchase at select concessions throughout the venue including Stout Battered Onion Rings, Guinness Fish and Chips and Corned Beef Sandwiches.

Acclaimed exhibits highlighting Irish culture, traditions and history will be on display at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion throughout the day. Participating organizations include the Irish American Heritage Museum; Irish American Chefs; Albany Rebels Gaelic Football Team; Irish 2000 Fest; Kate Mullany National Historic Site; Celtic Treasures; Ancient Order of Hibernians and The Fireman's Museum.

Irish-American Day comes just three days before the 149th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on Saturday, August 25 at Saratoga Race Course. 

Travers Day Grandstand general admission tickets are available for $10 in advance at the Saratoga Race Course Box Office or online at Ticketmaster.com. Grandstand admission will be $15 at the gate on Travers Day, pending availability. There will be no Clubhouse upgrades.

Gates open at 7 a.m. on Travers Day, with a special first post time of 11:35 a.m. All guests are subject to enhanced screening upon entering the grounds and will not be permitted to run once inside the property for their safety. This policy will be strictly enforced. 

The Grade 1 Runhappy Travers, sponsored by champion sprinter Runhappy, will be one of six Grade 1s on Travers Day, which will also feature the $1 million Sword Dancer, the $700,000 Personal Ensign, the $600,000 Forego, the $500,000 Ketel One Ballerina, and the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial presented by Runhappy. Rounding out the impressive card is the Grade 2, $400,000 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa.

All reserved seats, dining and hospitality are sold out. 

Paid attendance will be capped at 50,000. Saratoga season pass holders are guaranteed admission on Travers Day.

The 2018 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 3.