WHAT'S HAPPENING WEEK #5 AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE

by Pat McKenna and Mark Bardack

WHAT: Week #5 of Saratoga Race Course

WHEN: Wednesday, August 17 - Monday, August 22, 2016

WHERE: Saratoga Race Course and nearby locations 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

• Bolton Landing: The day's feature race is the $100,000 Bolton Landing for 2-year-old fillies on the turf.

• Premio Italian-American Heritage Day: The New York Racing Association, Inc. will celebrate the culture and traditions of the Bel Paese during Premio Italian-American Heritage Day at Saratoga Race Course. The day-long festivities will feature Italian music, dance, entertainment, crafts and food from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News. A Premio Italian food truck will be positioned outside the Pavilion offering guests samples of the brand's sausage throughout the afternoon. The Saratoga Pavilion will host Italian music and dance performances throughout the day while guests will be able to purchase Italian food with all proceeds to benefit the Italian Heritage Association and Museum in Albany. 

• Mornings at Saratoga: Fans are invited to enjoy breakfast on The Porch of the clubhouse while the thoroughbreds train on the main track. Breakfast is held from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. $17.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids 12 and under. Mornings at Saratoga also welcome fans to go behind the scenes with a free, guided backstretch tram tour. Tram tours begin at 7:30 a.m. and depart from the clubhouse entrance approximately every 15 minutes through 9 a.m. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are 45 minutes in length. 

• Bets Squad:  A new addition this year, the Bets Squad is available daily to educate fans about the basics of wagering. The Bets Squad is stationed in gazebos located in the upper grandstand and outside the paddock entrance and is also available for consultation in the NYRA Bets Lounge on Saturdays. Fans can schedule private sessions with Bets Squad members either in-person or online at NYRA.com/BetsSquad.

• Saratoga LIVE: Fans can follow the action on Saratoga LIVE, the new racing program produced by NYRA TV, which is broadcast to an audience of more than 65 million viewers on Fox Sports 2 and MSG+ each day beginning at 4 p.m. Live coverage begins daily on Altitude Sports at 5 p.m. EST. The program includes a combination of racing coverage, analysis and feature items. For a complete broadcast schedule and local listings, visit NYRA.com. 

• Saratoga Season Perks: All season pass and season ticket plan holders will receive discounts at most on-track concession stands, NYRA merchandise stores and Shake Shack on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and the Artist's Village on Fridays. Discount does not apply to lottery, tobacco, alcohol, restaurant dining, group sales or Dunkin' Donuts. For a complete list of participating Saratoga Season Perks partners, visit SaratogaSeasonPerks.com.

• Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host the Center for Disability Services, which provides innovative services and expert care to individuals with disabilities and chronic medical conditions. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18

• Union Avenue (NYB): The day's feature is for 3-year-old and up New York-bred fillies and mares for a purse of $100,000.

• 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 Department of Agriculture and Markets. Fans will be able to sample five varietals for $5 at the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News, from noon to 5 p.m. 

• 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.

• "At the Post Live: Serling on Saratoga": NYRA TV broadcast analyst and nationally recognized thoroughbred racing personality Andy Serling hosts this live broadcast on ESPN Radio 104.5 "The Team" at The Parting Glass in downtown Saratoga Springs from 8 to 9 p.m. At the Post Live is presented by NYRA Bets. 

• Tequila Avion & Tacos Thursdays at The Post: Racing fans are invited to continue their day at Saratoga with Tequila Avion & Tacos Fridays at The Post, the lively bar and entertainment spot adjacent to the paddock. Each Thursday of the meet will feature Latin music, dancing, and food and drink specials at The Post following the day's final race.

• Fourstardave Sports Bar: Fans are invited to watch live simulcast racing at the Fourstardave Sports Bar, which will remain open to the public following the last race on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 7 p.m. 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

• Adirondack Stakes: The Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack for 2-year-old fillies will headline the day's card. The Adirondack will be run on Friday after severe storms caused the cancellation of racing on its originally scheduled date of August 13.

• Skidmore: Joining the Adirondack is the $100,000 Skidmore for 2-year-olds on the turf. 

• 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 Department of Agriculture and Markets. Fans will be able to sample five craft beers for $5 at the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News, from noon to 5 p.m. 

• Cookbook Signing with Jasper Alexander: Chef Jasper Alexander, owner of the landmark Saratoga Springs restaurant Hattie's, will celebrate the recent release of The Hattie's Restaurant Cookbook with an autograph signing on the Jockey Silks Room porch from noon to 2 p.m. Copies of the cookbook will be available for purchase, with partial proceeds to benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team.

• Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host Saratoga Bridges which provides a full range of professional programs to enable those with developmental disabilities to live, be employed, volunteer, socialize and lead productive lives. 

• Woodford Reserve Fridays at The Post: Racing fans are invited to continue their day at Saratoga with Woodford Reserve Fridays at The Post, the lively bar and entertainment spot adjacent to the paddock. Each Friday of the meet will feature a DJ, dancing, trivia contests and cocktail sampling at The Post following the day's final race. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

• Alabama, featuring Songbird: Saturday marks the second scheduled Spa appearance this season for undefeated champion filly Songbird, who is slated to continue her quest for a perfect campaign in the day's feature race for the nation's top 3-year-old fillies - the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama. Guests are invited to commemorate the day with a free Songbird poster, presented by NYRA Bets, available at the "May I Help You?" booths near each gate (available on a first-come, first-serve basis; while supplies last). Individuals may also receive a special sign-up offer for NYRA Bets at the guest services booths with handicapping picks from NYRA's Gabby Gaudet. 

• Fourstardave Handicap: Saturday will feature a pair of Grade 1 races with the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at a mile on the turf. The Fourstardave will be run on Saturday after severe storms caused the cancellation of racing on its originally scheduled date of August 13.

• The Lustgarten Foundation Day: Saratoga will honor the legacy of trainer Dominic Galluscio with a day to benefit The Lustgarten Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance scientific and medical research related to pancreatic cancer. Numerous trainers will participate in an autograph session in front of the paddock mutual bays near the racing office with a suggested $10 donation to benefit The Lustgarten Foundation from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The day will be highlighted on-track with decorative purple bunting throughout the venue. All jockeys riding in the day's card will wear purple armbands. Fans are encouraged to wear purple to show their support for pancreatic cancer awareness. Guests who make monetary donations to The Lustgarten Foundation at the "May I Help You?" booths will receive a free purple pancreatic cancer awareness wristband. Galluscio, who died in 2014 from pancreatic cancer, saddled more than 1,000 winners during a 34-year career on the New York Racing Association circuit and his horses amassed total purse earnings of $31.3 million.

• NYRA Bets Lounge: Fans are invited to visit the NYRA Bets Lounge in the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News. The NYRA Bets Lounge will offer handicapping tips and analysis from racing professionals and also features a full-service bar and Lifestyles clothing boutique. A handicapping seminar will occur from 11 a.m. to noon with Mike Penna of the Horse Racing Radio Network. Guests can also get tips from NYRA's Gabby Gaudet at 1 p.m. 

• Low Roller Challenge: Saturday will feature the Low Roller Challenge, presented by NYRA Bets, 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. at the NYRA Bets Lounge in the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News. 

• Community Outreach Booth: The Community Outreach Booth will host the Backstretch Employee Service Team, a non-profit organization which aids the hard-working men and women employed to take care of the horses in the barn area.

• Ketel One Party at The Post: The fun will continue each Saturday of the season with the Ketel One Party at The Post, the lively bar and entertainment spot adjacent to the paddock. Each Saturday of the meet will feature a DJ, trivia contests and prizes at The Post following the day's final race. 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

• Lake Placid: The day's feature race is the Grade 2, $300,000 Lake Placid for 3-year-old fillies on the turf.

• Travers 1864 Restaurant Week presented by Mazzone Hospitality:Numerous restaurants and eateries throughout the greater Capital Region will offer special pricing and menus in celebration of the crowned jewel of the Spa racing season during the annual Travers 1864 Restaurant Week. From Sunday, August 21 through Thursday, August 25, diners have the opportunity to indulge in a three-course meal at participating restaurants for the prix-fixe cost of $18.64, the year of the inaugural running of the Travers, the nation's oldest major stakes race for 3-year-olds. For a full list of participating restaurants, visit NYRA.com/Travers1864. Restaurants interested in participating in Travers 1864 Restaurant Week may contact Brittany Harran by phone at 518-584-6200 ext. 6478 or via email at [email protected]. 

• Taste NY: Food and Artisans: Taste NY: Food & Artisans is a lively on-track market filled with vendors featuring products made exclusively in New York State. Products include jams, baked goods and hand-crafted soap, amongst other items. The market is held each Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News.

• Low Roller Challenge: Sunday will include the Low Roller Challenge, presented by NYRA Bets, 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 Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health, development and well-being of children and their families.

MONDAY, AUGUST 22

• Summer Colony: The day's feature is for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares for a purse of $100,000.

• Berkshire Bank Family Mondays: Monday is highlighted by Berkshire Bank Family Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News. 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. The beneficiary of the fifth Monday of the season is Stevens Elementary School of Burnt Hills. Berkshire Bank Family Mondays is presented with support from Pediatric Dental Group of New York. 

• Low Roller Challenge: Monday will include the continuation of the Low Roller Challenge, presented by NYRA Bets, 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 Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, a non-profit organizations which helps change kids' perspectives by giving them the opportunity to reach their potential through positive mentoring relationships.

All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of the New York Racing Association.