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Opening Weekend at Saratoga Race Course to feature traditional Hat Contest

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will continue its custom of honoring the tradition of hats in thoroughbred racing with the 28th annual Hat Contest at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday, July 14, the capstone to Opening Weekend festivities. 

The Hat Contest is presented by Moet & Chandon and Hatsationa!.

The popular event will once again welcome contestants to showcase creative and fashionable head toppers in what has become a staple of Opening Weekend at Saratoga Race Course, which this season will take place Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, July 14. 

Categories for the 28th annual Hat Contest presented by Moet & Chandon and Hatsationa! will include: Kreative Kids for fans 18 and under; Fashionably Saratoga for elegant and stylish hats; and Uniquely Saratoga for unusual and original creations. 

"Given the changes to this year's racing schedule, we want to ensure that fans save the date for this well-known event, which will continue to be part of Opening Weekend festivities at Saratoga Race Course," said NYRA Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer Lynn LaRocca. "We thank Moet & Chandon and Hatsationa! for their support, and look forward to seeing the style and creativity of our fans come to life at Saratoga during the annual Hat Contest."

Among the highlights of the 2019 season at Saratoga Race Course are Opening Weekend, July 11-14; the 150th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on Saturday, August 24; and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Saturday, August 3.

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.