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What's Happening Week #3 at Saratoga Race Course

by NYRA Press Office

WHAT:           Week #3 at Saratoga Race Course 

WHEN:           Wednesday, August 1 - Monday, August 6, 2018

WHERE:        Saratoga Race Course

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1

Shine Again: The day's feature race is the $100,000 Shine Again for fillies and mares.

Season Passes: Season admission passes are available for purchase at the Saratoga Race Course Box Office and at more than 150 Stewart's Shops locations throughout the Capital Region. The cost of a 2018 Grandstand season pass is $40; a Clubhouse season pass is $65. A season pass covers admission all 40 days of the meet, including Travers. Season passes are also available at NYRA.com

First Responders Appreciation Day, presented by Brookview Village: NYRA will honor police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics during First Responders Appreciation Day. The day will feature free grandstand admission for all first responders with proper identification. Numerous local police, fire and emergency service departments will host activities and demonstrations at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Guest can take advantage of child's safety seat demonstrations and fittings for free children's bicycle helmets, while supplies last (limit two per family). A variety of emergency service vehicles and equipment will be on display in and around the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Young fans will enjoy face painting and caricature drawings.

Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host Gallop NYC, a non-profit organization based in New York City that offers therapeutic horsemanship programs to children and adults with disabilities.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2

Birdstone: The day's feature is the $100,000 Birdstone for 3-year-olds and up.

Taste NY: Cider, Wine & Spirits: Taste NY: Cider, Wine & Spirits offers guests a selection of cider, wine and spirits available for sampling each Thursday of the meet in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Fans will be able to sample five varietals for $5 at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from noon to 5 p.m.

Aperol Thursdays at The Post: Each Thursday, guests have the opportunity to sample Aperol Spritz cocktails at The Post Bar from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host the Yaddo Garden Association, which is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Gardens at Yaddo, including the marble and terra cotta features.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame: Saratoga's feature race is the Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame for 3-year-olds on the turf in celebration of the induction ceremony for the 2018 class at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Taste NY: Craft Beer: This weekly event offers guests a selection of New York craft beers available for sampling in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Fans will be able to sample five craft beers for $5 at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from noon to 5 p.m.

The Last Race Showcase at The Stretch: NYRA invites fans who are in attendance to experience The Stretch for free from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Stretch is Saratoga's exclusive new hospitality area located in the Grandstand at the Top of the Stretch. There will be food and drink specials and live DJ entertainment. Fans can enjoy the new amenities at The Stretch, including a private bar, concessions, hi-def video screens and televisions, and dramatic views of the Stretch run.

Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host Classic Legacy Thoroughbred Aftercare, which works to protect the legacy of former racing thoroughbreds by providing quality of life through rehabilitation, retraining, rehoming and a retirement sanctuary.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

Whitney Day: The 91st running of the prestigious 1 1/8-mile Whitney will top a blockbuster day of racing that includes five stakes as part of the Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing. The Whitney will pair with the Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test for 3-year-old fillies, and the Grade 3, $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya for turf fillies and mares. Also Saturday are two additional turf stakes: the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure and the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose for fillies and mares.

The Whitney will go to post as race number 9 at 5:46 p.m. preceded by the Longines Test.

Both the Whitney and Longines Test will be broadcast live on NBCSN. A special edition of Saratoga Live will air on FS2 beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Guests are strongly advised to allot additional time for arrival on Whitney Day due to enhanced screening.

Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing: The Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing will return to celebrate the rich partnership between NYRA and Fasig-Tipton as a prelude to Fasig-Tipton's annual Saratoga sales at the Humphrey S. Pavilion on August 6, 7, 11 and 12. The festival includes the "Best Turned Out Horse" award, during which Fasig-Tipton will recognize the hard work that goes into daily grooming with a special prize for the groom of the best-turned-out horse participating in the Whitney. The award will be presented to the winning groom in the winner's circle prior to the race.

NYRA Bets Seminar: Join handicappers Matt Bernier, Jonathon Kinchen and Mike Watchmaker for a special seminar at the NYRA Bets Simulcast Center, located on the second floor of the Grandstand near The Stretch. The seminar begins at 11 a.m.

Fashion Saturdays: Designed to showcase the tradition of style in thoroughbred racing, Fashion Saturdays will feature women's and men's apparel and accessories from local retailers, as well as a selection of home décor, spa care and jewelry items at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Josh Cellars Wine Event: Join representatives from Josh Cellars to learn about the origins and history of the winery and the winemaking process from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the backyard near the Josh Cellars Frose Bar and Festival Tent.

Woodford Reserve and Jeff Brisbin at the Jim Dandy Bar: Guests are invited to the Jim Dandy Bar to sample Woodford Reserve Saratoga Personal Selection, crafted exclusively for racing fans at the Spa, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Ketel One Saturdays at The Post: The fun will continue each Saturday of the season with the Ketel One Saturdays at The Post. Fans are invited to sample the new Ketel One Botanicals from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The Last Race Showcase at The Stretch: NYRA invites fans who are in attendance on Whitney Day to experience The Stretch for free from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Stretch is Saratoga's exclusive new hospitality area located in the Grandstand at the Top of the Stretch. There will be food and drink specials and live DJ entertainment. Fans can enjoy the new amenities at The Stretch, including a private bar, concessions, hi-def video screens and televisions, and dramatic views of the Stretch run.

Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which aims to preserve the history and foster understanding of thoroughbred racing in America by providing public access to equine art, artifacts, memorabilia, film, video, books, and historical archives.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

Troy Handicap and Alydar: Sunday's card offers two stakes - the $200,000 Troy Handicap on the turf and the $100,000 Alydar.

Jockey Legends Day, presented by Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing: Some of the greatest riders in the history of thoroughbred racing will gather at Saratoga Race Course for the fourth annual Jockey Legends Day. The day's activities will feature special appearances by some of the Spa's most accomplished riders and autograph signings on the Jockey Silks Porch from noon to 1 p.m. There will be a special trackside presentation after the fifth race.

Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing: The Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing will continue with Sunday's edition of the "Best Turned Out Horse" award, during which Fasig-Tipton will recognize the hard work that goes into daily grooming with a special prize for the groom of the best-turned-out horse participating in the Alydar. The award will be presented to the winning groom in the winner's circle prior to the race.

Low Roller Challenge: Sunday will include the Low Roller Challenge which allows aspiring handicappers the opportunity to experience the thrill of tournament play for $40, with $30 going towards live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Taste NY: Food and Artisans: Each Sunday of the season will welcome guests to a lively on-track market of numerous food and artisan vendors featuring products made exclusively in New York State. The market will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion.

Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, a non-profit organization that accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding.

MONDAY, AUGUST 6

NYSS Cab Calloway: Monday features the $100,000 Cab Calloway for 3-year-old New York-breds on the turf.

Saratoga Umbrella Giveaway: Racing fans will take home the second giveaway of the 2018 meet, the fan-favorite Saratoga invertible umbrella. The umbrella features the Saratoga Race Course logo etched in white against a black exterior with a red interior lining. All giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last. Saratoga season pass or season ticket plan holders are guaranteed to receive a premium Saratoga giveaway item based on the following guidelines: Season pass or season ticket holders must be present at Saratoga Race Course on the day of the giveaway; 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 at 11 a.m.

Berkshire Bank Family Mondays: Monday will be highlighted by Berkshire Bank Family Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Free Jockey Autograph Books are available for children while supplies last. All kid-friendly games and activities, including the opportunity to pet a retired thoroughbred, are free of charge. Berkshire Bank Family Mondays takes place just across from the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, an interactive play area featuring games, attractions, an Adirondack-style chair and Berkshire Bank charging station. The Berkshire Bank Family Zone is open every day of racing during the Saratoga season.

Low Roller Challenge: Monday will include the continuation of the Low Roller Challenge which allows aspiring handicappers the opportunity to experience the thrill of tournament play for $40, with $30 going towards live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host The Orchard Project, which is based in Saratoga Springs and is one of the preeminent theatre laboratories in the United States.

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