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Saratoga Highlights: Week 5

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9

 Johnstone Mile:

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.

Saratoga Live:

Saratoga Live  presents daily coverage and analysis of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course 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 Tour will be offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays throughout the meet. Fans will enjoy a buffet breakfast during morning training at Saratoga Race Course before boarding a CDTA trolley to Song Hill Thoroughbreds on Wednesdays or Old Tavern Farm on Thursdays and Fridays, where they will participate in a 60- to 90-minute guided walking tour. Admission to the races in the afternoon is included in the package. Tickets, which are $85 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com. Inventory is limited.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host Fleet Reserve Association at the Community Outreach Booth. Fleet Reserve Association is a nonprofit U.S. military and veterans’ organization that represents the interests of enlisted U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine veterans and active-duty personnel. The Community Outreach Booth is located adjacent to the Jockey Silks Room, inside Gate B.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Red Haired Strangers.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10

Taste NY Pavilion:

The Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, features New York-made food and beverages, available for sample and purchase. Fans can visit the pavilion Thursdays through Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m., to enjoy New York craft beer, hard cider, wine, spirits, cheese, chocolate and gelato from Long Island to the Adirondacks and the Capital Region to Western New York (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages).

Saratoga Low Roller Contest:

Horseplayers can enjoy the Saratoga Low Roller Contest held exclusively on-track every Thursday and Sunday at Saratoga Race Course. Fans can pre-register on contest days outside the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar. There is a $40 buy-in, of which $30 will go to the player’s bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. The winner will receive a Saratoga Low Roller championship T-shirt in addition to the cash prize.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host the Saratoga Automobile Museum which celebrates the automobile by educating the general public, students and enthusiasts about the role of the vehicle in New York State and the wider world.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11 

National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, Evan Shipman Handicap and Union Avenue Handicap:

The Grade 2, $500,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, a one-mile inner turf test for sophomores, will headline Friday’s card after heavy rains forced its cancellation on the originally scheduled date of August 4.

The afternoon will also feature a pair of $125,000 handicaps for New York-breds. Americanrevolution - the 2021 New York-bred Horse of the Year - makes his long-awaited return in the Evan Shipman, a one-mile contest for 3-year-olds and up breaking from the Wilson Chute, while the Union Avenue is a 6-furlong sprint for fillies and mares.

Premium Giveaway: Performance T-Shirt presented by FOX Sports (Photo):

Fans can showcase their enthusiasm for Saratoga Race Course with the second premium giveaway of the season: a red, performance Saratoga T-shirt, presented by FOX Sports. The 100% polyester moisture-wicking material will help fans stay cool all season long. Two unisex adult sizes will be available: medium and extra-large. Free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway.

Sampling Exacta:

Fans will have the opportunity to sample the Proper and Ginger cocktail featuring Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey at the Jim Dandy Bar as well as Cutwater Ready to Drink cocktails at the Cutwater Gazebo, across from Guest Services. Samples will be available from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last, to guests 21 and older, with valid ID.

Community Outreach Booth:

School of Music at Caffe Lena 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 McKrells.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12

Fourstardave Handicap, Herb Moelis Memorial Saratoga Special and Galway:

The 39th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap, at one mile over the inner turf for 3-year-olds and up, is a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Mile. The afternoon will also feature the Grade 2, $200,000 Herb Moelis Memorial Saratoga Special for juveniles going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track and the $150,000 Galway, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint for sophomore fillies on the turf.

FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY:

The Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap will headline FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY coverage beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern. The broadcast will mark the fourth in a series of six consecutive Saturdays of unprecedented live coverage from Saratoga Race Course on FOX.

Saturday Samplings:

Fans can enjoy complimentary samples of the Eclipse & Tonic cocktail featuring Mount Gay Eclipse Rum outside The Porch, in addition to Cutwater Ready to Drink cocktails at the Cutwater Gazebo, across from Guest Services. Samples will be available from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last, to guests 21 and older, with valid ID.

Community Outreach Booth:

Founded in 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is the oldest and largest thoroughbred rescue in the U.S. and offers sanctuary to rescued and retired racehorses unable to pursue a second athletic career.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13

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.

Handicapping Seminar and Meet-and-Greet:

Spend a Sunday at the races learning betting strategies and tips from expert handicappers in the Spa’s newest hospitality venue, the climate-controlled Paddock Suite. Tickets can be purchased through Fevo.

Sunday Brunch at The Rail at the 1863 Club:

Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet in The Rail at the 1863 Club. Tickets start at $100 and include admission, a table seat for the day, brunch buffet, soft drinks, two mimosa or Bloody Mary drink tickets per person, 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.

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays:

The popular family-friendly weekly event features a wide variety of free activities, games, attractions and educational experiences 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. This week’s theme is Sci-Fi Day and will feature a sci-fi DIY craft station, virtual reality space pods, giant games and more.

Community Outreach Booth:

Disabled American Veterans – Troy Chapter will close out the week at the Community Outreach Booth. Disabled American Veterans helps to transform the lives of veterans by advocating for access to the healthcare, disability, employment, education and financial benefits they have earned, and giving ill and injured veterans the opportunity to live with respect and dignity.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

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

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