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SARATOGA HIGHLIGHTS: WEEK 4

by Pat McKenna

WHAT:          Week #4 of Saratoga Race Course

WHEN:          Wednesday, August 4 – Sunday, August 8

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4

NYSSS Statue of Liberty and Shine Again: The afternoon’s card will feature the 19th edition of the $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series Statue of Liberty for eligible New York-sired 3-year-old fillies at one mile on the turf. The NYSSS Statue of Liberty is slated as Race 5 on the 10-race card that will also feature the $120,000 Shine Again for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up going seven furlongs on the main track. First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.

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

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 will present 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, AUGUST 5

Birdstone: The day’s feature is the $120,000 Birdstone, a 1 3/4-mile main-track marathon, for 4-year-olds and up.

Fabulous Fillies Day: NYRA will honor local breast cancer survivors during Fabulous Fillies Day at Saratoga Race Course. All fans are encouraged to wear pink during their visit to Saratoga Race Course. NYRA will welcome local breast cancer survivors to the winner’s circle for the day’s third race, which will be named in their honor in partnership with To Life!, a Capital Region non-profit organization that provides support services to breast cancer patients and their families.

The day will also feature the return of the “Best in Pink” fashion contest, which encourages fans to wear their most fashionable outfit – prominently featuring pink – for the chance to win a special prize package. Fans can enter by having their photo taken at the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants will receive a keepsake magnet photo with a suggested donation of $5 to support To Life! The featured drink will be the Ketel One Pink Lemonade available exclusively for Fabulous Fillies Day at bars and restaurants throughout the track.

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 The Lustre Kings.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6

National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, Troy Stakes and Alydar: Friday’s Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, a one-mile inner-turf test for sophomores at Saratoga Race Course, commemorates the induction ceremonies that will take place across Union Avenue earlier in the day. The 37th edition of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame is part of a loaded card that includes the $120,000 Alydar, a nine-furlong test for older horses, and the Grade 3, $200,000 Troy, presented by Horse Racing Ireland, a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for older horses.

NYRA Hometown Hero, presented by CDPHP: NYRA will announce the next 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. Nominations are being accepted through August 15 at CDPHP.com/Heroes.

Babe Wines and Cooperstown Distillery Tastings: Fans will be invited to enjoy two complimentary tasting events at Saratoga: Babe Rosé wine outside The Cutwater Stretch from 1 to 3 p.m. and the Cooperstown Select Bourbon Old Fashioned from Cooperstown Distillery at the Jim Dandy Bar from noon to 4 p.m. Must be at least 21 years old; while supplies last.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Display: Fans will have their first of two opportunities to check out the new all-electric 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, which will be on display near the Clubhouse escalator throughout the afternoon, courtesy of Upstate Ford Dealer Group.

Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage: The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from The Stony Creek Band.

Piazza Italia: The Piazza Italia, located in the Saratoga Events Pavilion, near Gate A, will host live music featuring Franklin Micare 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, AUGUST 7

Whitney Day: Three-time Grade 1 winner Swiss Skydiver is set headline Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Whitney which offers an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic. The filly, victorious in last year’s Preakness Stakes and Alabama, will try to become the first female to capture the Whitney since Personal Ensign in 1988. To do so, she will have to defeat Maxfield, considered the top older horse in training, and Knicks Go, the Pegasus World Cup winner. The blockbuster Whitney Day card will also include the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test for sophomore fillies and the $1 million Saratoga Derby Invitational, the second jewel of the Turf Triple series for sophomore males in its first running with Grade 1 status. Whitney Day will also feature the Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls for fillies and mares on turf, and the $120,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure.

Bruce Johnstone Best Turned-Out Horse Award: NYRA will honor the legacy of the late horseman Bruce Johnstone by bestowing the “Bruce Johnstone Best Turned Out Horse Award” to the groom of the horse deemed by NYRA racing officials to be best presented in the paddock ahead of the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test. Johnstone, who succumbed last year to a lengthy battle against cancer, transitioned from a successful career as a trainer to management at NYRA, where he spent the last 13 years of his career as Manager of Racing Operations.

Handicapping Seminar: Popular handicapper Pete Fornatale will host a 30-minute seminar to discuss his picks for Whitney Day. The event begins at 9:15 a.m. at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders booth near the Dunkin’ concession. Attendance is free.

Wine Tasting Trifecta for Whitney Day: Fans will be invited to enjoy several complimentary tasting events on Whitney Day, starting with La Crema from Jackson Family Wines at the La Crema Sonoma Coast Experience pop-up bar located across from the Clubhouse exchange from noon to 4 p.m. Wine lovers will also enjoy samples of Whispering Angel Rosé near the Travers Bar from 1 to 3 p.m. as well as Babe Rosé outside The Cutwater Stretch also from 1 to 3 p.m. Rounding out the afternoon will be a sampling of Ketel One Botanicals from award-winning Ketel One family made vodka at the Ketel One Longshots Bar located on the ground floor of the Grandstand from 3 to 5 p.m. Must be at least 21 years old; while supplies last.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Display: Fans will once again have the opportunity to check out the new all-electric 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, which will be on display near the Clubhouse escalator throughout the afternoon, courtesy of Upstate Ford Dealer Group.

Volcan Tequila Tasting and Summer Music Stage: The Volcan Tequila Summer Music Stage will host live music from The Bluz House Rockers.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8

Saratoga Oaks Invitational: Sunday of Whitney weekend concludes with three graded stakes highlighted by the upgraded Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational, the second leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies. The card will also include the Grade 3, $300,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose for turf fillies and mares, and the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies.

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 are $85 and include the buffet, soft drinks and Post Parade program book. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or online at NYRA.com/1863Club.

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays: The popular kid-oriented weekly event will feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 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 Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers. 

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