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2024 Saratoga Highlights: Week 5

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

SARATOGA HIGHLIGHTS: WEEK #5

Week #5 at Saratoga Race Course,Wednesday, August 7 – Sunday, August 11

New York-bred fillies and mares will compete in Wednesday’s $125,000 Johnstone Mile Handicap starting from the Wilson Chute. The Johnstone Mile Handicap honors NYRA’s late Racing Operations Manager Bruce Johnstone, who held that position for 13 years.

The card will also feature the rescheduled $75,000 Jonathan Kiser, part of the Saratoga steeplechase schedule.

Saratoga Live:

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit NYRA.com/SaratogaLive.

Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour presented by CDTA:

NYRA’s Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tours are offered every Wednesday through Saturday (excluding Aug. 24). Fans will enjoy a buffet breakfast during morning training at Saratoga Race Course before boarding a CDTA trolley to Song Hill Thoroughbreds on Wednesdays and Thursdays; Old Tavern Farm on Fridays; and Sugar Plum Farm on Saturdays. General admission to the races in the afternoon is included in the package. Tickets must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com.

Saratoga Happy Hour:

Fans age 21 and older can enjoy Happy Hour every racing day at the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar from 4:30 p.m. to end of racing. Specials include two-for-one 12-ounce beers and half off select cocktails and glasses of wine.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs at the Community Booth on Wednesday. The Salvation Army is an international movement and an organization dedicated to “doing the most good” in the communities they serve.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Doc Scanlon to kick off the second half of the summer meet at Saratoga.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

John Morrissey Handicap:

Thursday’s card is headlined by the $125,000 John Morrissey, a six-furlong handicap on the main track for New York-bred 3-year-olds and up.

Taste NY Pavilion:

New York-made food and beverages will be available for sample and purchase at the Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, where fans can enjoy New York craft beers, wines, spirits, cheese and chocolate (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages).

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host Saratoga Bridges which empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families by helping them to identify and pursue their life goals through knowledge, collaboration and experience.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

Evan Shipman and Union Avenue Handicaps:

A pair of $125,000 handicaps for New York-breds highlight Friday’s card with the Evan Shipman at one-mile for 3-year-olds and up and the six-furlong Union Avenue for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

Betting Basics with Matthew DeSantis:

NYRA Bets Content Producer and Handicapper Matthew DeSantis will teach betting basics during Breakfast at Saratoga to give fans of all ages their best shot at walking away a winner. Classes will be held every Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at The Porch.

Tequila Tasting:

Fans 21 and older can enjoy complimentary tastings of the Casa Cosmo at the Casa Noble Clubhouse Bar, located on the second level of the Clubhouse. White Claw Hard Seltzer will also be available for sampling at the White Claw gazebo, located adjacent to the mutuels bay in the backyard. Samples are available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last.

Berkshire Bank Horse Sense:

Fans of all ages can pet a retired thoroughbred every Friday through Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at Berkshire Bank Horse Sense. The family-friendly attraction is located inside Gate A and is presented by Berkshire Bank.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host Caffe Lena School of Music, which teaches and encourages students to play in small, friendly groups and master a repertoire of enduring folk songs, all geared toward making music a “go-to” social pastime.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from The Swingin’ Palms.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

FIRST POST: 12:35 P.M.

Four Graded Stakes featuring the FanDuel Fourstardave and Saratoga Derby Invitational:

The Grade 1, $500,000 FanDuel Fourstardave, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile, headlines a blockbuster day at Saratoga Race Course that will now include the rescheduled Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational at 1 3/16-miles on turf for sophomores; Grade 2, $300,000 Troy for older turf sprinters; Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special for 2-year-olds on the main track and the $150,000 Galway for turf filly sophomore sprinters.

The Saratoga Derby Invitational will serve as an international qualifier for the Group 1, AUD$5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate.

FOX Saratoga Saturday:

Live broadcast coverage from Saratoga Race Course returns to FOX from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. FOX Saratoga Saturday will air for consecutive weeks through Saturday, Aug. 24.

Tasting Exacta:

Fourstardave Day will feature a pair of complimentary samplings outside the Cutwater Stretch and at the Hendrick’s Gin Bar on the second level of the Clubhouse. Cutwater canned cocktails and the Hendrick’s Gin Daisy will be available for fans 21 and older to enjoy from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last.

Community Outreach Booth:

Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420 preserves and strengthens comradeship by assisting worthy members, perpetuating the memory and history of our dead and assisting their widows and orphans.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from IMI.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11

Mahony:

Sunday’s feature is the $150,000 Mahony, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for sophomores. The race is named in honor of Patrick Mahony, the longtime senior vice president of mutuels at NYRA who spent more than 50 years in the racing industry before retiring in 2016.

Special Sunday Savings:

Fans can take advantage of special Sunday ticket offers available for purchase at NYRA.com/Deals including the following:

$20 Sunday Saver Pass, valid for general admission for each of the four remaining Sundays. Standard daily admission is $10 on race day for a savings of up to 50 percent.

$99 Sunday Saver Family 4-Pack, which includes four grandstand reserved seats, four admissions, four Post Parade programs and $40 in loaded value that may be redeemed at select on-track concessions.

$44 Surfside Sunday 4-Pack, which includes four general admission tickets and four Surfside canned cocktails; or the $84 Surfside Sunday 4-Pack, which includes four grandstand reserved seats and four Surfside canned cocktails. Surfside ready-to-drink cocktails are available at the Surfside Gazebo, Jim Dandy Bar, Surfside portable bar on the second level of the Grandstand and at other select bars and concessions. This package is available to fans 21 years of age and older.

Sunday Brunch at The Rail at the 1863 Club:

Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet in The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space. Tickets start at $105 and include admission, a table seat for the day, brunch buffet, soft drinks, Post Parade program book, tax and gratuity. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Sunday Introduction to Handicapping and Meet-and-Greet:

Enjoy a Sunday in the Paddock Suite, learning betting strategies and tips from expert handicappers. Tickets start at $75 and include admission, Post Parade program book, light fare platters, and a table seat for the day within the climate-controlled, shared suite overlooking the historic saddling area. Fans will also be treated to a meet-and-greet with Saratoga Race Course’s track announcer Frank Mirahmadi. Tickets can be purchased online through Fevo.

Family Sundays at the Family Fun Zone:

The popular family-friendly weekly event includes a wide variety of free activities, games, attractions and educational experiences from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office. This week’s theme is Summer Olympics.

Community Outreach Booth:

North Country Wild Care will close out week five at the Community Outreach Booth. The nonprofit assists Wildlife Rehabilitators in Albany, Essex, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Twangbusters.

All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.