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Saratoga Highlights: Week 2

by Pat McKenna and Mark Bardack

Week #2 at Saratoga Race Course
Wednesday, July 19 – Sunday, July 23
 
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19
 
A. P. Smithwick Memorial (Steeplechase) and NYSSS Statue of Liberty Division:
Wednesday will feature the Grade 1, $150,000 A. P. Smithwick Memorial for steeplechasers, as well as the $150,000 Statue of Liberty division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series, a one-mile test on the turf for eligible New York-sired sophomore fillies.
 
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:
Limited seats remain for NYRA’s Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays throughout this year’s 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.
 
Community Outreach Booth:
As part of NYRA’s season-long commitment to spreading awareness of local nonprofits, NYRA will again host one organization each day in the Community Outreach Booth, located adjacent to the Jockey Silks Room, inside Gate B. On Wednesday, NYRA will host the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition, which provides housing and support services to homeless military veterans and their families.
 
Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:
The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live musical performances each afternoon of the season from popular local and regional bands. On Wednesday, fans can enjoy live music from Garland Nelson Trio.
 
THURSDAY, JULY 20
 
NYSSS Cab Calloway Division:
Thursday’s featured race is the $150,000 Cab Calloway division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series, a one-mile inner turf test for eligible state-sired sophomores.
 
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. Race 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 (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages). In honor of the 10-year anniversary of Taste NY, NYRA has expanded the offerings to include two dozen featured products, from Long Island to the Adirondacks and the Capital Region to Western New York, as a showcase of the state’s robust food and beverage industry.
 
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 Saratoga Center for the Family at the Community Outreach Booth on Thursday. Saratoga Center for the Family provides a comprehensive array of services designed to strengthen, empower and educate children, families and the community, while reducing the incidences and effects of child abuse, neglect and family dysfunction.
 
Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:
The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Heard World Music.
 
FRIDAY, JULY 21
 
Curlin and Lake George:
Friday’s feature is the $135,000 Curlin for sophomores at nine furlongs over the main track, an important prep for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 26. Sophomore fillies will take to the turf for the Grade 3, $175,000 Lake George, a 1-mile race named after another popular upstate New York summer destination: Lake George, located about 30 miles north of Saratoga Springs.
 
Cooler Jug Presented by NYRA Bets:
Fans will enjoy the first premium giveaway of the season: a Saratoga-branded, 64-ounce red and white cooler jug. Presented by NYRA Bets, this cooler jug features high-quality construction for maximum cold retention, a wide mouth screw-on cap for easy filling and cleaning and a flip top spout for smooth sipping on a hot summer day. Fans with paid admission will receive a coupon, which must be presented at designated locations on track to redeem the item. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway. All premium giveaways are available while supplies last.
 
Sampling Trifecta:
Fans will have the opportunity to sample a specialty cocktail made with Hendrick’s Gin at the new Hendrick’s Bar on the second floor of the Clubhouse; the Dirty Shirley featuring Pick Six Vodka at the Pick Six Gazebo across from the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar; and Day Chaser canned cocktails plus Woodchuck hard cider, the official hard cider of Saratoga Race Course, at the Day Chaser Gazebo inside Gates C & D. 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:
Saratoga Bridges will be at the Community Outreach Booth on Friday. Saratoga Bridges 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 Mark and Jill Blues.
 
SATURDAY, JULY 22
 
Coaching Club American Oaks and Caress:
The Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies going nine furlongs headlines a card that also includes the Grade 3, $200,000 Caress, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for older fillies and mares. The Coaching Club American Oaks is named in honor of the Coaching Club of America, which was formed in the late 1800s to encourage four-in-hand coach driving. A live demonstration of this technique will take place prior to the first race when a stagecoach, accompanied by horses, parades on the main track. First run in 1917, the CCA Oaks was moved from Belmont Park to Saratoga Race Course in 2010.
 
Saratoga Race Course Runs on Dunkin’:
Fans can enjoy samples of Dunkin’s new Dunkin’ Energy Punch Powered by Rockstar® and Raspberry Watermelon Refresher outside Gates B and C beginning at 3:30 p.m. Complimentary Dunkin’ cards will also be distributed to guests departing the track, while supplies last.
 
Sampling Exacta:
Fans will have the opportunity to sample a specialty cocktail made with Great Jones New York Bourbon Whiskey at the Jim Dandy Bar; and Montauk Craft Beer at the Montauk Brew Barn, located in the backyard across from the Saratoga Walk of Fame. 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:
NYRA will host After the Fire which is committed to helping fire victims by providing them with emotional support, information and referrals to resources, personal hygiene products, clothing and lodging.
 
Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:
The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from IMI.
 
SUNDAY, JULY 23
 
Shuvee:
Sunday’s featured race is the Grade 2, $200,000 Shuvee for older fillies and mares at a distance of nine furlongs on the main track.
 
Paddock Suite Handicapping Seminar and Meet-and-Greet:
Enjoy Sunday at Saratoga learning betting strategies and tips from expert handicappers in the climate-controlled Paddock Suite. Guests will be treated to a meet-and-greet with track announcer Frank Mirahmadi, along with a rotating cast of on-track talent, personalities and VIPs. Tickets can be purchased through Fevo.
 
Sunday Brunch at The Rail at the 1863 Club:
Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space 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 Christmas in July and will feature a holiday DIY craft station, giant snow globe, carnival booth and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.
 
Community Outreach Booth:
Amplify Horse Racing will close out the week at the Community Outreach Booth. Amplify Horse Racing is dedicated to “amplifying” Thoroughbred industry education, mentorship and career opportunities for youth and young adults, and creating new resources to lead the Thoroughbred industry into the future.
 
Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:
The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from The Hawthornes.
 
All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.