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Week 6 Highlights at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16

Suzie O’Cain:

Wednesday’s $125,000 Suzie O’Cain, a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for New York-bred sophomore fillies, is named in honor of the late member of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Board of Directors.

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.

Adirondack Day:

A previous special event will make its return to Saratoga Race Course when the attractions of the Adirondacks fill the Taste NY Pavilion. Presented by the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, the afternoon will include interactive exhibits highlighting the seven New York counties that comprise the Adirondacks, supplemented by craft beverage tastings, maple products and samples, cheese samples, apples, re-enactors, live music and more. Vendors will include: Adirondack Experience Museum in Blue Mountain Lake; Adirondack Fragrance Farm; Adirondack Harvest regional food samples; Adirondack Pub & Brewery; Eclipse 2024 - Adirondacks are in the Path of Totality; Fort Ticonderoga Re-enactors; Nettle Meadow Goat Cheese Farm; Olympic Regional Development Agency passport and skiing; and Titus Mountain ski and year-round activities.

Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour presented by CDTA:

A limited number of tickets remain for NYRA’s 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, where they will participate in a 60- to 90-minute guided walking tour. 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 the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation at the Community Outreach Booth. The organization provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first-responder families with young children and builds specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. It was named for New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who died helping others on 9/11. 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 the Franklin Micare Band.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17

Rick Violette:

The featured race on Thursday's card will be the $125,000 Rick Violette, a 1 1/16-mile turf test for New York-bred sophomores named for the late trainer and New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) President who spearheaded the creation of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Retirement Program. Violette was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), the non-profit organization that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain, and rehome Thoroughbreds.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Day:

NYRA will partner with NYTHA and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) in hosting the third annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day. The day will pay tribute to an array of organizations involved in finding new homes and careers for retired racehorses, and include a variety of events and demonstrations to highlight the work of the New York State aftercare community. Representatives from TAA-accredited organizations will be on-site to educate racing fans and the general public about the importance of responsible aftercare efforts, including Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, ACTT Naturally, Equine Advocates, Lollipop Farm, Lucky Orphans, New Vocations, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, ReRun, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga.

Free scoops from Stewart’s Shops:

Stewart’s Shops will scoop free ice cream for fans from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., while supplies last. Complimentary scoops will be available adjacent to the former clubhouse/grandstand exchange inside Gate C on a first-come, first-served basis. Stewart’s Shops is the official retail partner for NYRA Bets Gift Cards, Post Parade programs and Saratoga season passes.

Taste NY Pavilion:

The Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, 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 TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, Inc. and TAKE THE LEAD on Thoroughbred Aftercare Day. The programs are committed to promoting and developing second careers for racehorses that have retired from racing.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Steve Candlen Band.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18

Skidmore:

Friday’s feature is the $150,000 Skidmore, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for 2-year-olds.

Premium Giveaway: Saratoga Bucket Hat 

Fans will look great while staying protected from the sun’s rays with this 100% cotton white bucket hat. This one-size-fits-all hat features the traditional red Saratoga logo embroidered front and center. Free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway.

Truly Yours and Pony Punch:

Fans 21 and older can enjoy complimentary samples of Truly Flavored Vodka from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Boston Beer gazebo across from the Purdy’s Summer Music Stage. Additionally, samples of the Pony Punch featuring award-winning Casa Noble tequila will be served just outside The Porch. Available while supplies last to guests with valid ID.

Community Outreach Booth:

CAPTAIN Community Human Services strengthens communities with a range of services, including an emergency food and hygiene pantry; support for children with special challenges and their families; and shelter for those in need.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from the Reese Fulmer Band.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

Alabama and Lake Placid:

The Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama, presented by Keeneland Sales, headlines Saturday’s card. The contest is the meet’s premier race for 3-year-old fillies on the dirt at 1 1/4 miles. Also featured on Saturday is the Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid for 3-year-old fillies on the turf at 1 1/16 miles.

FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY:

The Alabama will headline FOX SARATOGA SATURDAY beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern. Coverage will get underway on FS2 beginning at 1 p.m. with continuing coverage at 6 p.m. following the conclusion of the broadcast on FOX.

Trainer Autograph Signing on Lustgarten Foundation Day:

NYRA will honor the legacy of longtime trainer Dominic Galluscio with a day to benefit the Lustgarten Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance scientific and medical research related to pancreatic cancer. The centerpiece of the day will be a trainer autograph session from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Jockey Silks Room Porch. Suggested donations will benefit the Lustgarten Foundation. A popular and respected figure among his peers, Galluscio passed away in 2014 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Fan photo opportunities with 1980 Miracle on Ice team members:

NYRA will host two leading players from the 1980 Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey gold medal winning team to coincide with the 40th running of the Lake Placid. Mark Johnson and John Harrington will pose with fans for photos by the Jockey Silks Porch for approximately 45 minutes (time TBD). Johnson is best known as the leading scorer for the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team while Harrington tallied an assist on the game-winning goal versus the USSR widely known as the “Miracle on Ice” game.

Miracle on Ice Golden Ale:

In conjunction with the Lake Placid and players’ appearances, Saratoga Race Course will debut Miracle on Ice Golden Ale, courtesy of Northway Brewing Company. Fans can purchase the 12-ounce beer in a keepsake can for $9 at the Taste NY Pavilion, where samples will be available from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Miracle on Ice Golden Ale will also be available at the Michelob Ultra gazebos, Cutwater gazebo and Bud Light portable. Partial proceeds from the sale of the special label brew will benefit the “Monument to a Miracle” fundraising initiative. Friends of the 1980 Miracle Hockey Team, LLC is a nonprofit organization, which is raising funds to build a life-size statue in Lake Placid to honor the “Miracle on Ice” Hockey Team.

Clyde May’s Alabama-style whiskey on Alabama Day:

To coincide with the 143rd running of the Alabama, fans will have an opportunity to sample the Alabama Smash, featuring Clyde May’s Alabama-style whiskey, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. outside The Porch, while supplies last. The Alabama Smash is made from Clyde May’s Alabama-style whiskey, ginger beer and fresh blackberries. The Alabama Smash will be available for purchase throughout Alabama weekend, August 18 – 20, at The Porch, Club Terrace, Turf Terrace, Modelo Finish Line and Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host the Lustgarten Foundation which advances research related to the diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of pancreatic cancer while raising public awareness and providing support for patients and their families.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from the Alex Torres Orchestra.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20

Bolton Landing:

The racing week wraps up with the $150,000 Bolton Landing for 2-year-old fillies, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint on the turf.

Handicapping Seminar and Meet-and-Greet:

Enjoy Sunday at Saratoga learning 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 Carnival Day, and will feature a carnival booth with games and prizes, a stilt walker, a unicyclist, giant Twister and more. 

Community Outreach Booth:

Disabled American Veterans – Albany Chapter will close out the week at the Community Outreach Booth. Disabled American Veterans helps to transform the lives of veterans by advocating for access to the healthcare, disability, employment, education and financial benefits they have earned, and giving ill and injured veterans the opportunity to live with respect and dignity.

 Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from The Bluz House Rockers.

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