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Saratoga Highlights: Travers Week

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23

John’s Call:

Travers week kicks off with Wednesday’s Grade 1, $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard, a 2 3/8-mile hurdle test for older horses. Slated as race 1, the afternoon also features the $135,000 John’s Call, a 1 5/8-mile turf race for older horses.

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.

Travers Admission:

Fans can save $5 on general admission tickets for Travers Day when they purchase in advance at NYRA.com or at the Saratoga Race Course Box Office located at Gate A. General admission for Travers Day is $25 with advance purchase and $30 on the day of the event. Service fees may apply. Gates open at 7 a.m. with first post scheduled for 11:40 a.m.

Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour presented by CDTA:

A limited number of tickets remain for the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour. 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. The package includes admission to the races in the afternoon. Tickets are $85 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, and must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host LifeWorks Community Action, dedicated to alleviating poverty in Saratoga County and the northern Capital Region through a network of programs and resources that address a wide range of challenges including hunger, utility costs, child care and language barriers. The Community Outreach Booth is located adjacent to the Jockey Silks Room, inside Gate B.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Doc Scanlon.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24

Mohegan Sun Ballston Spa:

Four-time graded stakes winner Technical Analysis will look to continue her winning ways in pursuit of a repeat victory in the 35th running of the Grade 2, $300,000 Mohegan Sun Ballston Spa for older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 over the inner turf.

Military Appreciation Day:

NYRA will honor veterans and active-duty military members during its annual Military Appreciation Day. All veterans and service members will receive free admission with proper identification. The festivities will include a special performance of the National Anthem at 12:40 p.m. featuring the West Point Color Guard and a jump onto the infield by members of the West Point Parachute Team at approximately 4:45 p.m. The third race will be named for Military Appreciation Day and will recognize all veterans, while the fifth race will honor active-duty members of New York’s military services.

Taste NY Pavilion:

The Taste NY Pavilion features New York-made food and beverages available for sample and purchase. 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 from Long Island to the Adirondacks and the Capital Region to Western New York (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages).

Saratoga Low Roller Contest:

Horseplayers can enjoy the Saratoga Low Roller Contest held exclusively on-track every Thursday and Sunday. 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 the Albany VA Hospital which offers options for timely, quality services for veterans through care and respect for their physical, psychological and spiritual health.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Party of Three.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 

Personal Ensign and Smart N Fancy:

Nest, the reigning Champion 3-year-old Filly, will take on her rival Clairiere in the Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign, a nine-furlong test for older fillies and mares. Also featured on Friday’s card is the $150,000 Smart N Fancy, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for older fillies and mares.

Cooperstown Distillery and Cutwater Spirits:

Fans will have the opportunity to sample the Saratoga Victory Vodka Lemonade at the Cooperstown Clubhouse Bar as well as Cutwater Ready to Drink cocktails at the Cutwater Gazebo, across from Guest Services. Samples will be available from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last, for guests 21 and older, with valid ID.

Community Outreach Booth:

Moreau Lake State Park and Grant Cottage are partners that enrich the experience of every visitor to Moreau Lake State Park, which includes the Grant Cottage State Historic Site where General Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, died in 1885.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from North and South Dakotas.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26: TRAVERS DAY

Travers Day: Gates Open at 7 a.m. First Post at 11:40 a.m.

The 154th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers headlines a blockbuster program that will include five Grade 1 stakes and an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup to the winner of the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer [Turf] and Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap [Filly and Mare Sprint.] The stacked card will also include the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego, and the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.

Breakfast and backstretch tram tours are not available on Travers Day.

Travers on FOX:

An expanded edition of Saratoga Live will begin at 11:30 a.m. on FS2 with continuing coverage on FS1 at 1:30 p.m. FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY will then present live coverage and analysis of the Travers Day stakes action beginning at 3 p.m.

A Sparkling Sampling:

Fans will enjoy samples of Mionetto sparkling prosecco at the Mionetto gazebo, located across from the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar. Samples will be available from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to those 21 and older, while supplies last.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) which is devoted to providing health and wellness services to the backstretch community at New York thoroughbred tracks.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Big Medicine and ILL Funk.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27

New York Showcase Day:

New York-breds take center stage for New York Showcase Day, featuring six stakes for state-breds worth a combined $1.25 million. The card is headlined by the $250,000 Albany, a nine-furlong test for sophomores. Also featured are five $200,000 stakes including the Fleet Indian for sophomore fillies; the West Point Handicap presented by Trustco Bank for 3-year-olds and up; the Yaddo Handicap for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up; and a pair of sprints at six furlongs in the Funny Cide, presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, for 2-year-olds; and the Seeking the Ante for juvenile fillies.

NYRA to Honor Funny Cide:

In conjunction with New York Showcase Day, NYRA will pay tribute to Funny Cide, one of the most popular and successful New York-breds of all time, who died earlier this summer from complications due to colic. The celebration of Funny Cide’s life will be held the same day as the annual stakes race named in his honor and will feature Funny Cide memorabilia signed by his connections: Sackatoga Stable Managing Partner Jack Knowlton, trainer Barclay Tagg, assistant trainer Robin Smullen and Hall of Fame jockey Jose Santos. The signing will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Jockey Silks Porch. Suggested donations will benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, a pair of non-profit organizations dedicated to the care and well-being of members of NYRA’s backstretch community.

Handicapping Seminar and Meet-and-Greet:

Learn 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 Pet Day, and will feature a DIY craft station, carnival booth, reptile show and more.

Community Outreach Booth:

Old Friends at Cabin Creek Thoroughbred Retirement Farm will close out the week at the Community Outreach Booth. The organization is Saratoga County’s only thoroughbred retirement farm, and provides dignified retirement for all racehorses.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Soul City.

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