Francesca LeDonne Photo

Travers Day Fourstardave Sports Bar and Miller Lite Picnic Paddock reserved table lottery to begin on March 25

by Pat McKenna/Mark Bardack

Reserved table reservations for the 150th anniversary running of the Runhappy
Travers available exclusively through special drawing or seven-day flex plan

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will hold a special drawing for the general public interested in purchasing a reserved table in the Fourstardave Sports Bar or the Miller Lite Picnic Paddock for the 150th anniversary running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 24.

Half of the reserved table seating inventory in the Fourstardave Sports Bar and Miller Lite Picnic Paddock for Travers Day will be assigned via the drawing. Guests interested in the opportunity to purchase a reserved table in either location can enter the drawing at www.NYRA.com/TraversTables beginning Monday, March 25 at 10 a.m. The drawing will conclude on Friday, April 12.

Additionally, reserved tables for Travers Day in the Fourstardave Sports Bar and Miller Lite Picnic Paddock will be available through a reserved table flex plan. The flex plan provides fans with the convenience of securing a reserved table on seven days of their choice during the 2019 season, including Travers Day. Reserved table flex plans will be available beginning Thursday, April 11 at 10 a.m. by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX. Reserved table flex plans are subject to availability.

"As two of the most popular areas at Saratoga, the Fourstardave Sports Bar and Miller Lite Picnic Paddock will be in high demand for this milestone Travers Day. These areas offer the comfort and convenience of knowing that a table is waiting for you no matter what time your day at the Spa begins," said NYRA Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer Lynn LaRocca. "We encourage fans to enter the drawing for the chance to enjoy the 150th running of the Runhappy Travers from one of these outstanding venues."

Travers Day reserved tables in the Fourstardave Sports Bar and Miller Lite Picnic Paddock will be available only to fans who either purchase a flex ticket plan or are selected through the drawing. Season pass holders who are selected in the drawing will not be charged individual admission for themselves or any guests in their party who provide proof of a season ticket plan or pass.

Tables may be reserved on a single-day basis in the Fourstardave Sports Bar and Miller Lite Picnic Paddock beginning Wednesday, May 8 through Ticketmaster.com. Reserved seating inventory is limited and subject to availability.

Located within close proximity to the trackside apron, the Fourstardave Sports Bar includes more than 80 tables available for paid reservation and a sports bar which features an extensive craft beer selection, popular food vendors, and 60 flat-screen televisions. The hospitality space also provides protection from the elements. Configurations include tables that accommodate two, four and six guests.

Personal coolers and outside food and beverage are not permitted in the Fourstardave Sports Bar; on-track food and beverage is allowed.

The Miller Lite Picnic Paddock is the section of the backyard, located adjacent to the paddock, where guests may reserve picnic tables. The area is comprised of more than 100 tables, which each seat up to six guests and offer premier viewing of horses being saddled before a race. The backyard also includes approximately 950 tables available to guests at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Personal coolers are allowed in the reserved picnic area; coolers may contain plastic bottles or cans and are subject to search by NYRA security. Additional chairs, tents and umbrellas are prohibited. For a full list of restricted items, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

The 40-day meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will begin on Thursday, July 11 and run through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. Following Opening Weekend, racing at Saratoga will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Closing week will run Wednesday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 2.

Among the season's highlights are Opening Weekend, July 11-14; the 150th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on Saturday, August 24; and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Saturday, August 3.

Whitney weekend will include the second legs of the new Turf Triple Series, the three-race series at Belmont Park and Saratoga showcasing the best turf runners in the country and offering $5.25 million in purse money. The middle jewel of the Turf Tiara, the series restricted to 3-year-old fillies, will kick off Whitney weekend on Friday, August 2 with the inaugural $750,000 Saratoga Oaks. The middle leg of the Turf Trinity, the series restricted to 3-year-old males designed to emulate the American dirt classics, will bookend Whitney weekend with the inaugural $1 million Saratoga Derby.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit www.NYRA.com/Saratoga.