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Saratoga Race Course season passes on sale now at Stewart's Shops

by Pat Mckenna; Mark Bardack

Saratoga Season Perks begin June 1 for all season pass and season ticket plan holders

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that season admission passes for the 2018 meet at Saratoga Race Course are now available at more than 150 Stewart's Shops locations throughout the greater Capital Region.

Season admission passes are also currently available for purchase online at www.NYRA.com/Saratoga. 

A season pass provides fans with admission to 40 days of world-class thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Race Course, including Travers Day and Whitney Day. The cost for 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.

"We are pleased to continue our outstanding partnership with Stewart's Shops to make it as convenient as possible for fans to purchase a season pass and enjoy 40 days of exciting racing and special events for just a dollar a day," said NYRA Vice President and Chief Experience Officer Lynn LaRocca. "We are also thrilled to continue to reward our most loyal fans with the Saratoga Season Perks program, which offers exclusive discounts to some of the region's best attractions, sporting events and restaurants."

This marks the fifth consecutive year that Saratoga Springs-based Stewart's Shops will serve as the exclusive retail partner for season passes to Saratoga Race Course. Season passes will be available at all Stewart's Shops in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Warren counties. For a complete list of retail locations, visit https://www.stewartsshops.com/news/saratoga-season-passes/.

Saratoga Season Perks program to offer year-long discounts beginning June 1

Season passes will go on sale at Stewart's Shops just prior to the start of the Saratoga Season Perks program. Beginning Friday, June 1, all season pass holders who purchase and activate their season pass will be eligible for year-round discounts at numerous Saratoga attractions, merchants and restaurants. 

Season ticket plan holders are also eligible for Season Perks. Season ticket plans include 40 days of admission as well as reserved seating and are available for purchase online through NYRA AccountManager.

Saratoga season pass and season ticket plan holders receive the following benefits: 

10 percent savings on shopping, dining, tickets to concerts and sporting events when they present their season pass or season perks card at any participating member.

10 percent savings at most Saratoga Race Course concession stands, NYRA merchandise stores and Shake Shack on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and the Artist's Village on Fridays. Discount does not apply to lottery, tobacco, alcohol, restaurant dining, group sales or Dunkin' Donuts.

The discounts are available with an activated season pass or season perks card beginning June 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019. 

This year's Season Perks lineup currently includes 50 partners and features such major attractions as the Live Nation Summer Concert Series at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Guests can use their season pass or season perks card to receive a 10 percent discount on lawn tickets or select Pavilion seats during Pavilion-only shows, subject to availability. The offer is available at the SPAC Box Office only (not valid for purchase day of show). 

More than 40 members of the Saratoga Downtown Business Association are offering year-round discounts through the program. New participants include Bodywork Professionals, EMBRACE THE RACE®, Miss Scarlett, Pro Nails, Red Wolf, Saratoga Botanicals, Saratoga Sundress, Saratoga Springs History Museum and Tushita Heaven. Fans will also enjoy exclusive discounts at returning members such as Prime at Saratoga National, Silverwood and Caroline and Main, amongst others. 

"We are excited for the 2018 racing season and another year of the Season Perks Program. This partnership between NYRA and the Downtown Business Association encourages racing fans to head downtown after the races and on dark days to support many of our local, small businesses," said Saratoga Downtown Business Association President Maddy Zanetti. "Each year the number of participating businesses has grown and people have enjoyed a little extra savings while spending time in downtown Saratoga." 

Entertainment attractions participating in this year's Season Perks program include the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Tri-City ValleyCats, UAlbany Athletics and Siena Basketball.

All season perks partners will have on display a decal featuring the Saratoga Season Perks logo. For a complete list of participating Saratoga Season Perks partners, including on-track discounts, visit SaratogaSeasonPerks.com.

A season pass must be activated in order to receive Saratoga Season Perks discounts and incentives. Season pass holders are required to provide a photo in order to activate their season pass. Activation instructions, including information on how to upload a digital photo, are available at NYRA.com/seasonphoto.

In addition to the discounts and special savings available to season pass and season ticket plan holders, the Saratoga Season Perks program includes the guarantee of a premium Saratoga giveaway item on the day of the giveaway based on the following guidelines: Season pass or season ticket holders must be present at Saratoga Race Course; enter through the designated season ticket holder lines; and redeem the giveaway by no later than 3 p.m. Redemptions will begin when gates open to the general public.

The 2018 meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will again be highlighted by the Grade 1, $1.2 million Whitney and the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers, the centerpieces of two of the biggest days in North American racing.

The 40-day meet, 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.