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Saratoga Highlights: Week #3

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24

Honorable Miss Handicap:

The Grade 2, $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares, kicks off stakes action for week three at Saratoga Race Course. First post is 1:10 p.m.

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.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host Fleet Reserve Association, 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.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will feature The Bluebillies to kick off week three of its live musical summer concert series.

THURSDAY, JULY 25

Caress Presented by Albany Med Health System:

Thursday’s feature is the Grade 3, $200,000 Caress presented by Albany Med Health System, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares.

First Responders Day Presented by Albany Med Health System:

NYRA will honor police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) with free admission on First Responders Day, presented by Albany Med Health System. Featured entertainment will include the New York State Troopers Pipes and Drums who will perform following the third and fifth races. The day will include a series of recruiting events offering fans the opportunity to learn about the benefits of a career in public service.

Ben & Jerry’s will offer a free scoop of ice cream at its backyard location on-track to the first 500 fans, with a suggested donation to benefit the Saratoga Springs Firefighters Community Fund. The complimentary ice cream, courtesy of local Ben & Jerry’s franchisee Patrick Pipino, will be available in a Saratoga Race Course branded mini fire helmet cup.

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).

Surfside Sampling:

Fans 21 years and older will enjoy complimentary samples of Surfside canned cocktails outside the Jim Dandy Bar from 1 to 4 p.m., while supplies last.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host the Saratoga Springs Fire Department whose community fund supports various youth sports teams in Saratoga Springs and benefits those with health complications or families who have suffered from a fire. The Saratoga Springs Fire Department will also showcase one of its fire engines in the backyard and offer fire safety information and kids activities on First Responders Day.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

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

FRIDAY, JULY 26

Amsterdam:

Friday’s card is headlined by the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for sophomores.

Tasting Exacta:

Complimentary tastings of Montauk Craft Beer and Mount Gay Rum will make for a festive Friday at Saratoga Race Course. The pair of tastings are available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last, for fans 21 and older with valid ID. A taste of the craft brew from Long Island will be available at the Montauk Gazebo inside Gate B while Mount Gay Rum Punch will be offered outside the Jim Dandy Bar.

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 educational exhibit also includes fun facts about the life and career of a thoroughbred. The family-friendly attraction is located inside Gate A and is presented by Berkshire Bank.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the oldest and largest Thoroughbred rescue in the U.S., which 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 the Dylan Perrillo Band.

SATURDAY, JULY 27

Jim Dandy Presented by Mohegan Sun and Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap:

Headlining Saturday’s card is the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy presented by Mohegan Sun, the traditional Spa prep for the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers. Also featured on Saturday is the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, a six-furlong sprint for sophomores and older horses.

First post is 12:35 p.m.

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.

Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund Awareness Day:

Uniting with racetracks across the country to support the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) Day, riders at Saratoga Race Course will participate in a host of activities to raise awareness and funding for the PDJF. Highlighting the day’s events will be a special autograph session with members of the Saratoga jockey colony at the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with suggested donations to benefit the PDJF. Free Saratoga Race Course posters will be available for the signing session, while supplies last.

Tasting Trifecta:

Fans 21 and older can enjoy a dandy day of complimentary tastings outside the Jim Dandy Bar, presented by Great Jones Distilling Co., Boston Beer Gazebo and 1800 Longshots. Offerings are available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host the PDJF at the Community Outreach Booth, which provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries, including sustained paralysis and brain injuries.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from the Donna Tritico Band.

SUNDAY, JULY 28

Bowling Green:

Closing out the third week of racing at the Spa is the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green, at 1 3/8 miles on the turf for older horses.

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 $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.

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 Christmas in July.

Community Outreach Booth:

Great Strides Equestrian Foundation will close out the week at the Community Outreach Booth. The organization provides polo and horseback riding lessons to underfunded, inner city teens to encourage them to become lifelong equestrian enthusiasts.

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.