Popular Taste NY at Saratoga series to return for 2018 summer meet

by NYRA Press Office

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that the 2018 season at Saratoga Race Course will once again feature the popular Taste NY series. The program, which is held in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, will be held over the course of three days each week of the meet.

The popular Taste NY events provide guests with the opportunity to sample a wide variety of products made exclusively in New York State. The series features an array of New York ciders, wines and spirits for sampling every Thursday of the meet; a selection of New York craft beers on Fridays; and New York foods and handmade items every Sunday of the Saratoga season.

"The quality, locally-made wine, beer and food produced in our state directly contribute to New York's status as a world-class destination. We continue to receive tremendous feedback from our guests about the Taste NY at Saratoga series and are excited to continue the program during the upcoming season," said NYRA Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer Lynn LaRocca. "We look forward to continuing to use the popularity of Saratoga Race Course as a platform to showcase these products in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets."

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "The Taste NY at Saratoga series keeps getting better and better, thanks to our partners at NYRA and all of our participating food and beverage producers. The Saratoga Race Course is a fantastic venue that provides a unique opportunity for these local vendors to feature the very best made-in-New York products and connect to thousands of new customers."

The weekly series will take place on-track at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. The Thursday and Friday editions occur from noon to 5 p.m.; while the Sunday market commences at 10:30 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m.

Wine, cider and spirits will be available in increments of five samples for $5 on Thursdays while selections of craft beer will be available for the same on Fridays. There is no sampling fee for food on Sundays.

Guests will be able to purchase products that are available for sampling.

Participating vendors in the Thursday cider, wine and spirits tasting include: Albany Distilling Company in Albany; Heron Hill Winery in Hammondsport; Hudson Valley Distillers in Germantown; Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont; Nine Pin Cider Works in Albany; Saratoga Courage Distillery in Greenfield Center; Saratoga Winery in Saratoga Springs; Slyboro Ciderhouse in Granville; Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery in Queensbury; Thirsty Owl in Saratoga Springs; and Upstate Distilling in Saratoga Springs.

Participating breweries in the Friday craft beer tasting include: Adirondack Brewery in Lake George; Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga Springs; Blue Toad Cider in Rochester; Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown; Brooklyn Brewery in Brooklyn; Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Elmsford; Davidson Brothers Brewing Company in Glens Falls; Druthers Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs; Genesee Brewery in Rochester; Good Nature Brewing in Hamilton; Ithaca Beer Company in Ithaca; Keegan Ales in Kingston; Lake Placid Brewery in Lake Placid; Mad Jack Brewing Company in Schenectady; RS Taylor and Sons Brewery in Salem; Saranac Brewery in Utica; and Winner's Circle Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs.

"NYRA's partnership with Taste NY will provide Winner's Circle Brewing Company with the chance to connect with the best racing fans in the world every Friday at historic Saratoga Race Course," said Winner's Circle Brewing Company Founder and Capital Region native Joel Howard. "It's a unique opportunity for a New York-bred business with upstate roots like Winner's Circle, and we'd like to thank both New York State and NYRA for their commitment to supporting and promoting New York's craft breweries and their world class beers."

Participating vendors in the Sunday food and artisan market include: George's Market and Nursery in Latham; IM2 Handmade Items in Levittown; Liberty Ridge Farm in Schaghticoke; Michelle Lombard Glass Designs in Saratoga Springs; Miss Scarlett Boutique in Saratoga Springs; Nothing Bundt Cakes in Colonie; and RAD Soap Co. in Albany.

"We are happy to return to Saratoga Race Course for Taste NY at Saratoga each Sunday," said Jen Marcellus, owner of Miss Scarlett Boutique. "This year we are offering even more of our exclusive horse racing and Saratoga-themed accessories in addition to women's and children's clothing and accessories. We would like to thank the New York Racing Association for helping to promote and support local businesses."

A limited number of reserved seats for Travers Day, Saturday, August 25, is currently available for purchase exclusively through a Travers ticket plan. Ticket plans include reserved seating for Travers week, August 22-27. Travers ticket plans may be purchased online at www.NYRA.com/Saratoga.

Fans can guarantee their admission for Travers Day through the purchase of a season pass online at www.NYRA.com/Saratoga or in-person at more than 150 Stewart's Shops locations throughout the Capital Region. A season pass provides fans with admission to 40 days of world-class thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course, including the Grade 1 Travers and the Grade 1 Whitney on Saturday, August 4. The cost of a 2018 Grandstand season pass is $40; a Clubhouse season pass is $65. Season passes do not include reserved seating and are valid for one admission.

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

The 2018 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, which includes 69 stakes worth $18.8 million in purses, will run from Friday, July 20, through Labor Day, Monday, September 3. After opening weekend, racing will be conducted six days a week, Wednesdays through Mondays. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit www.NYRA.com/Saratoga.