Francesca Le Donne Photo

What's Happening Week #4 at Saratoga Race Course

by NYRA Press Office

WHAT: Week #4 at Saratoga Race Course

WHEN: Wednesday, August 8 - Monday, August 13, 2018

WHERE: Saratoga Race Course

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8

Quick Call: The $100,000 Quick Call for 3-year-olds is the feature on the afternoon.

Italian-American Day presented by Aperol Spritz: The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will celebrate the culture and traditions of the Bel Pease during Italian-American Day. The day-long festivities will feature Italian music, dance, entertainment, crafts and food from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion. Dancers from the Albany Dancesport Club will perform a traditional Italian folk dance trackside following the day's third race. Italian tenor Angelo Mazzone, Jr. will perform an Italian aria trackside following the day's fifth race. The afternoon will also include an Aperol Spritz tasting from 3 to 5 p.m. at The Stretch, the all-new private hospitality venue located on the second floor of the Grandstand at the Top of the Stretch. The tasting is restricted to those who have purchased tickets to The Stretch.

NYRA Bets Late Pick 5: The multi-race wager covers the last five races of every card of live racing at Saratoga. It features a minimum single-ticket payout of $150,000 daily and $300,000 on Saturdays to NYRA Bets customers nationwide online and on-track in New York. The offer is only available to NYRA Bets customers.

NYRA Bets Promotions: New customers who sign up for NYRA Bets using the promo code "SPA" will receive a $200 new member bonus. Visit NYRABets.com for details.

Play the Trifecta in a selected stakes every day at Saratoga to earn a 10% bonus. Look for the stakes schedule on NYRABets.com.

Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, the largest equine sanctuary in the world, devoted to the rescue, retirement, rehabilitation and retraining of thoroughbred horses.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9

NYSS Statue of Liberty: The $100,000 NYSS Statue of Liberty for 3-year-old fillies is the feature on the afternoon.

Fabulous Fillies Day: NYRA will celebrate women and their contributions to the thoroughbred industry while raising funds to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) during Fabulous Fillies Day. As a new element to the annual event, NYRA will welcome local breast cancer survivors to the winner's circle before several races on the day's card in partnership with To Life!NYRA and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) will present a combined donation to the BCRF through Play for P.I.N.K. following the day's third race, which will be named in honor of the organization.

Fans will be invited to participate in the second annual "Best in Pink" fashion contest, presented by vineyard vines and Moet & Chandon. Fans are encouraged to wear their most fashionable outfit - prominently featuring pink - for the chance to win a special prize package. Fans can enter to win by having their photo taken at the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 1 to 3 p.m. One woman and one man will be selected as the contest winners by a panel of judges. The winner will be announced at 3:15 p.m. Fans must be 21 years of age or older to enter.

Guests are encouraged to wear pink to show their support for breast cancer awareness and will have the opportunity to make monetary donations to the BCRF at numerous areas throughout the track during the day.

Sizzling Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon: Fabulous Fillies Day will include the annual Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon, presented by vineyard vines and Moet & Chandon, along with Saratoga Living, which will take place in the At the Rail Pavilion. Guests will enjoy a champagne reception hosted by Moet & Chandon and a boutique featuring Bow River Jewelry, Lifestyles of Saratoga and TOGA Heritage beginning at 11 a.m. This year's luncheon is in honor of Vivien Malloy, owner of Edition Farm and secretary and treasurer of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders. Tickets are $200 and available for purchase at www.playforpink.org/saratoga. All proceeds from tickets sales benefit BCRF through Play for P.I.N.K.

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 Floyd Warriors, an online organization dedicated to supporting and inspiring individuals and families of the Capital Region who have been recently diagnosed with cancer.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10

Tale of the Cat: The $100,000 Tale of the Cat for sprinters is the feature on the afternoon.

Saratoga Challenge: Friday marks the first in a pair of live money challenges which will occur as two separate one-day contests. The Saratoga Challenge on Friday will guarantee a first-place payout of $15,000, as well as awarding entries to the 2019 Belmont Stakes Challenge to the top finishers and the 2019 National Handicapping Championship to the top three finishers. The challenge will consist of wagering exclusively on Saratoga races through the following pools only: Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Quinella and Daily Double. Friday is a $1,000 minimum buy-in. For more information about the Saratoga Challenges, visit NYRA.com/Challenge.

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.

Paint & Sip: Guests will be able to enjoy a beverage while they craft their own masterpiece on the grounds of Saratoga Race Course. The Paint & Sip event includes admission to the Whitney Suite, art supplies, snacks and a race day program. Those interested can purchase tickets by calling the NYRA Box Office at (844) NYRA-TIX.

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 Dyer Phelps, the oldest African American ministry in Saratoga Springs, dating back to its establishment in 1862 by Miss Dyer Phelps.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11

Fourstardave, Adirondack and Fasig-Tipton Lure: The headlining Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave will be accompanied by the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack. The card will also include the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure rescheduled from Whitney Day.

NYRA Bets Seminar: Join host Pete Fornatale with Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr. and handicappers Jake Ballis and Jonathon Kinchen 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.

Fourstardave Challenge: Saturday marks the second in a pair of live money challenges which will occur as two separate one-day contests. The Fourstardave Challenge on Saturday will guarantee a first-place payout of $25,000, as well as awarding the same entries as on Friday. The challenge will consist of wagering exclusively on Saratoga races through the following pools only: Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Quinella and Daily Double. Friday is a $2,000 minimum buy-in. For more information about the Saratoga Challenges, visit NYRA.com/Challenge.

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.

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 TAKE THE LEAD, which was launched by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association to find homes for retired racehorses. TAKE THE LEAD partners with established aftercare programs to provide rehabilitation and retraining placements for thoroughbreds retiring from competition on the New York circuit.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12

Saratoga Special and Fasig-Tipton Waya: Sunday will feature the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special, presented by Miller Lite, and the Grade 3, $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya rescheduled from Whitney Day.

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 Joseph Ahmed Foundation, which aims to promote treatment and cure of Ewing's Sarcoma and other sarcomas by funding research, promoting the development of treatments, developing awareness, and providing support for patients and their loved ones.

MONDAY, AUGUST 13

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, with the exception of one designated activity which carries a suggested donation to benefit a local school or PTA. This week's beneficiary is Stevens Elementary School in Ballston Lake. 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 Friends of Moreau Lake, which partners with New York State Parks to enhance the experience for every visitor with education, events, and stewardship.

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