Penelope Miller Photo

SARATOGA HIGHLIGHTS: FAN APPRECIATION WEEK 2021

by Mark Bardack; Pat McKenna

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

With Anticipation: The 17th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 With Anticipation for 2-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles over the Mellon turf course serves as the headliner on a 10-race program that kicks off the final week of the Spa summer meet. First post time is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.

Fan Appreciation Week: The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will thank its fans for an outstanding season with a series of special offers during Fan Appreciation Week at Saratoga Race Course. Fans will enjoy Buy One, Get One Free offers on reserved seats in The Cutwater Stretch and Grandstand, and reserved tables in the Fourstardave Sports Bar and Miller Lite Picnic Paddock all week long. Fans will enjoy special savings on family four-packs and Clubhouse box seats during Berkshire Bank Family Sunday on September 5. Reserved tables, including buffet and soft drinks, are also available for $85 per person throughout the week ($100 on Saturday) in The Rail at the 1863 Club. For more information, visit NYRA.com/FanWeek.

Saratoga Premium Giveaway Sale: Fans will have the opportunity to secure a favorite track giveaway from yesteryear during a premium giveaway sale beginning at 11 a.m. near the Clubhouse exchange across from the News 10 Pavilion. A selection of Saratoga giveaways from previous years and earlier this summer will be available for purchase, including such memorable items as the Angel Cordero, Jr. bobblehead; 2017 Saratoga wall clock; 2015 Saratoga cooler bag and long sleeve tee; as well as a selection of Saratoga umbrellas, t-shirts, beach towels, hats and many more collectables from the past decade. Vintage and current items will be available for $10 and less, while supplies last. Cash only accepted. All sales are final.

Cutwater Spirits and Babe Wine Specials: Fans will enjoy special savings all week long of Cutwater Spirits’ ready-to-drink cocktails and Babe Rosé Wine for only $10 at The Cutwater Stretch, Cutwater Gazebo and all on-track restaurants. Available daily through Labor Day.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage: The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from the George Fletcher Blues Band. 

NYRA Bets Gift Cards: NYRA Bets Gift Cards are available for purchase at more than 150 Stewart’s Shops and can be used to deposit funds automatically into a NYRA Bets account to bet Saratoga online in addition to hundreds of racetracks nationwide.

Saratoga Live: Saratoga Live presents daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit NYRA.com/SaratogaLive.  

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

P.G. Johnson: The 17th edition of the $120,000 P.G. Johnson for juvenile fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf is slated as Race 9 on the 10-race card.

Ticket Giveaways to Zac Brown Band and More: Pending approval by the New York State Gaming Commission, fans will have the opportunity to enter-to-win tickets to numerous Capital Region events and attractions. Prizes include tickets to the Zac Brown Band concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on October 3; NYRA Bets Gift Cards valued at $50; and tickets to see two of the Capital Region’s top sports teams: the Adirondack Thunder and Tri-City ValleyCats. Entry forms will be available at all Guest Services locations beginning at 11 a.m. No purchase necessary to enter.

Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest: Every Thursday features the Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest, available exclusively on-track with a buy-in of $40. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage: The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from Fenimore Blues.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Lucky Coin: Friday’s $120,000 Lucky Coin, the feature at Saratoga Race Course, is a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for older horses.

Saratoga Welcomes Olympic Medalist Emma White: NYRA will celebrate the accomplishments of 2020 Tokyo Olympic Bronze Medalist Emma White of Duanesburg, NY. White, who was part of the U.S. cycling team that captured the bronze medal during the Olympic Games in Tokyo earlier this summer, will appear in the winner’s circle for a race named in her honor during the afternoon.

Happy Hour Specials: Fans will enjoy numerous Happy Hour specials all day long, including a selection of cocktails for $10. Featured drinks include the Toga Peach Tea, Washington Lemonade and Chandon Garden Spritz Cocktail, as well as Cutwater Spirits’ ready-to-drink cocktails and Babe Rosé Wine. Several beers will also be available for the special price of $5, including Blue Moon Light Sky, Yuengling Lager and Brooklyn Lager.

NYRA Hometown Hero, presented by CDPHP: NYRA will announce the final honoree in its Hometown Hero program, presented by CDPHP, which recognizes local essential workers for their service and dedication to the community during the pandemic. Each honoree receives the opportunity to present a trophy in the winner’s circle.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage: The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from the Rich Ortiz Trio. 

Piazza Italia: The Piazza Italia, located in the Saratoga Events Pavilion, near Gate A, will host live music featuring Nick Collucio from noon to 4 p.m. Fans may enjoy authentic Italian food and beverages at the Piazza Italia every day of the Saratoga meet, including paninis with Italian meats and cheeses, Fratelli Beretta cold cuts, Monti Trentini cheeses, Italian Bindi Gelato, Tiramisu and Peroni Beer.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Jockey Club Gold Cup and Flower Bowl: Saturday will feature the Saratoga debut of a pair of stakes previously held in the fall at Belmont Park: The Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles for 3-year-olds and up, and the $600,000 Flower Bowl, an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares. The day’s card will also include the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for sophomore fillies sprinting 6 furlongs and the Grade 3, $200,000 Saranac for sophomores going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage: The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from Nite Train with Thomasina Winslow.  

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 – POST TIME 12:35 P.M.

12:35 p.m. Post Time: The final Sunday of the season will feature an 11-race card with a first post time of 12:35 p.m.

Spinaway: The Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway for juvenile fillies at 7 furlongs wraps up the graded stakes series for 2-year-old fillies at Saratoga this summer.

Saratoga Long-Sleeve T-Shirt Hoodie Giveaway: Fans will enjoy the final giveaway of the season - a Saratoga long-sleeve t-shirt hoodie. The gray hooded pullover, adorned with the red Saratoga logo, will be available free with paid admission, while supplies last. Limited supplies available. NYRA strongly encourages fans to limit redemption to one item per person.

Family 4-Pack Reserved Seat Package: Families can take advantage of a Family 4-Pack, which includes four Grandstand reserved seats and vouchers for two hot dogs and one soda per person for $84. Clubhouse boxes for five people are also available for $150. Packages are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or in-person at the NYRA Box Office near Gate A.

Free Drawstring Bags with School Supplies at Berkshire Bank Family Sundays: Children will receive free colorable drawstring bags with back-to-school items, while supplies last, during the final edition of the popular kid-oriented weekly event, sponsored by Berkshire Bank. Kids will be able to color their back-to-school bags as well as enjoy a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office.

Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest: Every Sunday features the Low Roller Challenge Handicapping Contest, available exclusively on-track with a buy-in of $40. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage: The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from The Hawthornes.     

LABOR DAY, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 – POST TIME 12:35 P.M.

12:35 p.m. Post Time: The final day of the Saratoga season will feature an 11-race card with a first post time of 12:35 p.m.

Hopeful: The traditional closing day feature, the 117th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds, will afford fans a preview of potential standouts in next year's Triple Crown series and Runhappy Travers. The day’s card will also feature the Grade 2, $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Dunkin’ Coffee Donation to B.E.S.T: NYRA will present more than 100 pounds of Dunkin’ coffee to the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) on Closing Day of the 2021 racing season. The coffee donation is based on a pledge from Dunkin' to supply B.E.S.T. with one pound of coffee for every win by the leading owner, trainer and jockey of the 2021 Saratoga meet.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage: The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from Big Medicine.      

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