Francesca Le Donne Photo

​NYRA to host Fan Appreciation Week at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna/Mark Bardack

Activities to include special southwestern-style BBQ at The Rail at the 1863 Club and savings on reserved seats and tables - Learn More

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will thank its fans with a series of special events, savings and offers during the final week of the 2019 season at Saratoga Race Course. 

"We are incredibly fortunate at Saratoga to have the best fans in racing and we want to thank them with a series of special offers, events and activities as we head down the final stretch of this outstanding season," said NYRA CEO & President Dave O'Rourke. "We look forward to seeing everyone for one final time this summer during Fan Appreciation Week at the Spa."

Southwestern-style BBQ Package at the 1863 Club

Fans are invited to enjoy the return of the highly popular Fan Appreciation Week BBQ while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club. The southwestern-style BBQ is available for $85 per person beginning Friday, August 30 through Labor Day, Monday, September 2, at Ticketmaster.com or through the NYRA Box Office.

The Labor Day Weekend BBQ menu includes carved sorghum & mustard-glazed St. Louis-style ribs; hot dogs, sauerkraut and condiments; angus beef bacon and pepper jack sliders with BBQ sauce; smokey skillet chicken bake with maple chipotle sauce; mexican casserole with beans and chorizo; cheddar and pepper jack mac-n-cheese; and butter- and-corn chip-crusted corn on the cob. 

Breakfast at Saratoga, presented by CDTA, and free tram tours of the backstretch, will be available on Labor Day, Monday, September 2. Tram tours run from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and depart from the Clubhouse entrance approximately every 15 minutes. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are 45 minutes in length.

Fans can also take advantage of a variety of food and drink specials during Fan Appreciation Week, including:

• Two hot dogs, fries and a soda for $10 available with advance ticket purchase through the NYRA Box Office or by calling 844-NYRA-TIX.
• $14 frozen drinks and frose available at participating concession stands.
• $5 14 oz. draft beers

Special Offers on Reserved Seats and Tables

Fans who purchase two premium reserved seats in The Stretch, or two reserved seats in the Clubhouse or Grandstand, will receive two complimentary seats when using promo code BUY2GET2 at Ticketmaster.com. Ticket holders to The Stretch enjoy exclusive access to a full-service bar, kitchen and concessions, high-definition televisions and video screens, special events, and private restrooms. Offer not valid at the track box office or on previously purchased tickets and is subject to availability.

Fans will also enjoy a special offer on reserved tables in the Fourstardave Sports Bar and the Miller Lite Picnic Paddock. Fans who purchase one table in either location will receive one complimentary table available for purchase through the NYRA Box Office by calling 1-844-NYRA-TIX. 

These offers are available for August 28, 29, 30, and September 2.

Berkshire Bank Family Adventure Sundays on September 1 will feature the special offer of a Family 4-Pack, which includes four grandstand reserved seats, four hot dogs and four sodas for $84. The package may be purchased through the NYRA Box Office or by calling 1-844-NYRA-TIX. 

Saratoga Premium Giveaway Sale

Fans will have a second chance to secure a favorite track giveaway during a premium giveaway sale on Wednesday, August 28 and Thursday, August 29.

A selection of premium Saratoga giveaways from earlier this summer as well as from prior years will be available for purchase on both Wednesday and Thursday. The premium giveaway sale will get underway when gates open at 11 a.m. in the backyard near the Big Red Spring.

Fans will be able to purchase the 2019 Saratoga picnic cooler, presented by NYRA Bets; the 2019 Saratoga baseball cap, presented by Saratoga Casino Hotel; and the 2019 Saratoga beach towel, presented by Upstate Ford Dealers. A variety of giveaways from 2018 and earlier will also be part of the selection. Items will range in price from $2 to $5. Giveaway items may be purchased with cash only and are based on availability, while supplies last. All sales are final.

Saratoga Zip-Up Hoodie Sweatshirt Premium Giveaway 

Fans will celebrate closing weekend of the 2019 Saratoga meet with the final giveaway of the season - a Saratoga zip-up hoodie sweatshirt, presented by Lia Infiniti, on Sunday, September 1. The gray hooded, zip-up sweatshirt adorned with the red Saratoga logo will be available free with paid admission, while supplies last.

Dog Adoption Clinic Plus Special Events and Activities

Fans will have the opportunity to give an animal its forever home during a special dog adoption clinic hosted by NYRA in partnership with News10 ABC Pet Connection with Steve Caporizzo on Friday, August 30 from noon to 4 p.m. Several local animal shelters will be located near the Big Red Spring in the backyard. NYRA will underwrite adoption fees for animals placed with a new family during the event. Only dogs will be available for adoption.

The Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion will host the following attractions during the week:

• Italian and Irish American Day on Wednesday, August 28
• Taste NY: Wine & Spirits on Thursday, August 29
• Taste NY: Craft Beer & Cider on Friday, August 30
• Fashion Saturdays on Saturday, August 31
• Berkshire Bank Family Adventure Sundays on Sunday, September 1

Racing will resume Wednesday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 2 at Saratoga Race Course. Labor Day weekend (Saturday-Monday) will feature a special first post time of 12:30 p.m. and a total of seven graded stakes, including the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, August 31.

Labor Day will mark the second of two mandatory payout days for the new Empire 6 in which the entire net pool plus the jackpot carryover (if applicable) will be paid out to bettors. The wager features a $0.20 bet minimum and requires the bettor to select the first-place finisher of the final six races of the card.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.