Saratoga Highlights: Week 5
- WHAT: Week 5 of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course
- WHEN: Wednesday, August 6 – Sunday, August 10
- TICKETS: NYRA.com
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 9-race program beginning at 1:10 p.m.
Adirondack Day
Fans will enjoy a Taste of the Adirondacks, including complimentary samples of food and beverages, local products and attractions representative of the Adirondack region of New York State. Presented by the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, the event will take place within the Taste NY Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour
Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours will shift to Wednesday through Saturday for this week only at Saratoga Race Course. Presented by New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), tours this week will head to Sugar Plum Farm on Wednesday and Saturday, Song Hill Thoroughbreds on Thursday, and Old Tavern Farm on Friday. The package includes buffet breakfast, transportation, guided tour of a local breeding farm and admission to Saratoga Race Course. Each tour accommodates up to 52 guests. Tickets may be purchased at NYRA.com.
Breakfast at Saratoga
Breakfast at Saratoga, driven by CDTA, is available for purchase on The Porch from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Fans have the opportunity to enjoy a buffet breakfast against the backdrop of morning training. Reservations are not required.
Fans can also go behind the scenes with a free, guided backstretch tram tour. Tram tours depart from the clubhouse entrance beginning at 7:30 a.m. with the last one leaving at 9 a.m. and running every 30 minutes. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Birdstone
Wednesday’s Listed $150,000 Birdstone, a 1 3/4-mile marathon for older horses, headlines the afternoon racing card.
Saratoga Live
Saratoga Live, the critically acclaimed and award-winning show produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, celebrates its 10th season providing daily coverage and in-depth analysis of the summer meet to a nationwide audience on the FOX Sports family of networks. For the complete broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit nyra.com//tv.
Community Outreach Booth
The New York Race Track Chaplaincy serves the New York backstretch and farming community with children's enrichment, teen mentoring, women’s programming, social service, recreational, and educational programming as well as non-denominational religious services.
Jockeys Versus Horsemen Charity Game
The 16th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, as well as the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), will be played at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 7 p.m. Admission is free for one of the most popular events of the Saratoga social calendar.
The jockey team will be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr., who will be assisted by Taaj Ridley, the head of player development and assistant coach for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League. The horsemen team will be coached by trainer Kenny McPeek and retired New York-based trainer Rick Schlosberg.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 10-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.
Galway
Stakes action is highlighted by the Listed $150,000 Galway, a 5 1/2 -furlong turf sprint for sophomore fillies.
Taste NY Pavilion
New York-made food and beverages are 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, food and ice cream (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages). Featured products hail from across the state as a showcase of New York’s robust food and beverage industry.
National IPA Day Samples
Fans 21 and older can celebrate National IPA Day at the Spa by enjoying complimentary samples from Saratoga’s own Whitman Brewing Company at the Whitman Portable Bar from Noon to 4 p.m.
Community Outreach Booth
The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is the single designated state agency responsible for the coordination of state-federal relations in the area of addiction services. OASAS oversees one of the nation’s largest Substance Use Disorder systems of care with approximately 1,700 prevention, treatment and recovery programs serving over 730,000 individuals per-year.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 10-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.
Saratoga Pennant Premium Giveaway
Fans can celebrate the midway mark of the meet by claiming a red and white commemorative felt pennant featuring the familiar images of historic Saratoga Race Course. Available free with paid admission, while supplies last.
Ballston Spa
Friday’s action is highlighted by the 1 1/16-mile turf Grade 2, $300,000 Ballston Spa for older fillies and mares.
NYRA STAR
NYRA Students of Thoroughbreds and Racing (STAR) continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through August 31. NYRA STAR is designed to give children, ages 12 and under, and their families, insider access into the world of thoroughbred racing. Participants will experience the sport through exclusive on-track events, educational opportunities and kid-friendly communicationsdesigned to ignite their interest in horses and excitement for the sport of thoroughbred racing. Membership for NYRA STAR is free of charge.
Registration can be completed online at NYRA.com/STAR or in-person at the NYRA STAR booth in the Family Zone.
Hendrick’s and High Noon
Fans 21 and older can enjoy complimentary samples of Hendrick’s Gin & Lemonade from a specially designed Hendrick’s Sampling Cart at the Jim Dandy Bar from Noon to 4 p.m., while supplies last. Additionally, samples of High Noon and Lucky One Vodka Lemonade will be available at the High Noon Clubhouse Grill during the same time period.
Community Outreach Booth
North Country Wildcare assists wildlife rehabilitators in the Schenectady, Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Albany, Rensselaer, Montgomery, Fulton and Essex counties of Upstate New York.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 12-race program getting underway at 12:35 p.m.
Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer and Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks
Grade 1 action returns with the 12-furlong $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer for older turf marathoners as part of a card that also features the Grade 2, $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational, a 1 3/16-mile grass route for sophomore fillies.
FOX Saratoga Saturday
Live broadcast coverage from Saratoga Race Course returns to FOX from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. highlighted by the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer.
Horse Sense
Fans of all ages can pet a retired thoroughbred every Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 2 p.m. at Horse Sense. The educational exhibit includes fun facts about the life and career of a thoroughbred. The family-friendly attraction is located inside Gate A.
Saturday Saratoga Samplings
Saturday will feature complimentary samples of the Tres Agaves Thoroughbred Margarita from a vintage bus; and Michelob Ultra’s alcohol-free beer, Michelob Ultra 0.0, at the Michelob Ultra Stretch from Noon to 4 p.m. Available for fans 21 and older.
Community Outreach Booth
The largest thoroughbred rehab and adoption program in New York, ReRun is one of the oldest thoroughbred retraining and adoption programs in the country. ReRun focuses on helping horses and horsemen by providing rehab, retraining and retirement options for horses in New York.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10
Admission Gates and Post Time
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 10-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.
Saratoga Sundays Specials
Saratoga Race Course will feature special pricing on select concession items each Sunday for the remainder of the summer meet including: classic ($6.50) and premium beers ($7); High Noon and Surfside Ready to Drink cocktails ($7); Coca-Cola products and bottled water ($3); and hot dogs, soft pretzels and Saratoga Chips & Dip ($3).
Corgi Cup
Little legs, big speed! Fans can witness the inaugural 2025 Saratoga Corgi Cup, featuring dozens of pre-registered Corgis racing on the main track during the afternoon.
Lucky Puppy Rescue Adoption Event
Lucky Puppy Rescue, based in Argyle, NY, will host an adoption event on-track. Since its founding in 2019, Lucky Puppy Rescue has found new homes for approximately 2,000 dogs.
Miss Peaches Sampling
Fans 21 and over can celebrate the Corgi Cup with complimentary samples of Lucky One Vodka Lemonade, which features images of Miss Peaches of Barstool fame on the can. Samples are available from Noon to 4 p.m. at the High Noon Clubhouse Grill.
Mahony
Week 5 action concludes with the 5 1/2 furlong Grade 3, $175,000 Mahony for sophomore turf sprinters.
Sara-yoga
Fans are invited to enjoy yoga on the track apron during morning training from 7:15 a.m. to 8 a.m., courtesy of Yoga Mandali. There is no fee nor pre-registration required, but participants are asked to bring their own mats. The event is weather permitting.
Family Sunday at the Family Zone
Family Sundays will feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions, and educational activities each Sunday inside the Family Zone, located near Gate A at the Top of the Stretch.
Sunday Brunch at the Rail of 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 $110 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.
Introduction to Handicapping
Offered every Sunday in the Paddock Suite, fans can learn betting strategies and tips from an expert handicapper. Tickets start at $85 and include admission, Post Parade program book, and a table seat for the day within the climate-controlled, shared suite overlooking the historic saddling area. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here.
Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will feature a local dog rescue adoption center.
All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.