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​SARATOGA HIGHLIGHTS: Week 8

by McKenna, Bardack

WHAT:       Week #8 at Saratoga Race Course 

WHEN:       Wednesday, August 30 – Monday, September 4

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 

P. G. Johnson:

Saratoga’s final week kicks off with the 19th running of the $150,000 P.G. Johnson for 2-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles over the inner turf. The P.G. Johnson honors the late Hall of Fame trainer, who was best known for campaigning 2002 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Volponi. 

Free Access to the Paddock Suite:

The Paddock Suite, unveiled in 2022, will be open to the public at no charge on Wednesday, Thursday and Monday. The newest hospitality venue at Saratoga Race Course, the second story Paddock Suite is climate controlled and offers sweeping views of the historic Saratoga paddock and saddling area.

Buy One, Get One Reservations:

Excluding Saturday, Sept. 2, buy one, get one savings on reserved seating and reserved tables in the Clubhouse, Grandstand, Cutwater Stretch, Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar and Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock will be available during Fan Appreciation Week. Tickets can be found at Ticketmaster.com.

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.  

Community Outreach Booth:

On Wednesday, NYRA will host Saratoga Children’s Museum at the Community Outreach Booth. Saratoga Children’s Museum is committed to creating an interactive community that inspires curiosity, sparks imagination and nurtures discovery, while fostering active parent involvement in children’s learning. 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 Hot Vox Trio.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31

With Anticipation:

Thursday’s Grade 3, $175,000 With Anticipation is a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for 2-year-olds. 

Taste NY Pavilion: 

The Taste NY Pavilion 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 at Saratoga Race Course. 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 the Center for Disability Services which provides programs, services and a continuum of care that empowers people with disabilities to lead healthy, happy and productive lives.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage: 

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

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 

Saranac:

Friday’s feature is the Grade 3, $175,000 Saranac, a 1 1/16-mile turf contest for 3-year-olds.

Tote Bag Presented by Saratoga Casino Hotel (Photo 1 | Photo 2):

Fans can claim the final giveaway of the season: a tote bag presented by Saratoga Casino Hotel. This generously sized, red and white polyester tote bag accommodates everything needed for an exciting day at the races. A white mesh side pocket provides extra storage, while a top zipper keeps cargo safe and secure. Free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway.

Labor Day Weekend Barbecue:

Fans can enjoy a Labor Day weekend-themed barbecue buffet in The Rail at the 1863 Club starting at $95 per person on Friday and Monday, and starting at $110 per person on Saturday. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Community Outreach Booth:

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue is committed to the lifelong well-being of its horses by giving them more promising and meaningful futures, and building the healing bond between humans and horses.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage: 

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from The Hawthornes. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Jockey Club Gold Cup Day: First Post at 12:40 p.m.

Closing Weekend will feature a pair of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events, led by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at the classic distance of 10 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up vying for an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Saturday’s card also includes the Grade 2, $500,000 Flower Bowl, an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares offering a berth in the Filly and Mare Turf; the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for sophomore filly sprinters; and the $150,000 Harvey Pack for older turf sprinters. The Harvey Pack, formerly the Lucky Coin, honors the late broadcasting pioneer, who for more than three decades was one of the best-known personalities in New York racing.

The Jockey & Her Horse Book Launch:

Two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and New York Times reporter Sarah Maslin Nir and co-author Raymond White, Jr. will unveil their new book, The Jockey & Her Horse, Inspired by the True Story of the First Black Female Jockey, Cheryl White, on Saturday at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. There will be a book giveaway (available while supplies last) and signing from noon to 1 p.m. at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s satellite pavilion at Saratoga Race Course as well as a special named race and trophy presentation in the winner’s circle honoring Cheryl White.

Community Outreach Booth:

Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420 – Saratoga Springs preserves and strengthens comradeship by assisting worthy members; perpetuating the memory and history of deceased members; and assisting their widows and orphans.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage: 

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Big Fez & The Surfmatics. 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3: FAN APPRECIATION DAY

Spinaway: First Post at 12:40 p.m.

Sunday’s feature is the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway for 2-year-old fillies sprinting seven furlongs. 

Second Chance Giveaway: Cooler Jug Presented by NYRA Bets (Photo):

Fans will have another chance to secure the first premium giveaway of the season: a Saratoga-branded, 64-ounce red and white cooler jug, presented by NYRA Bets. Fans will be able to claim their cooler jug as they exit each of the three gates beginning at 4 p.m., while supplies last.

Saratoga Race Course and the Adirondack Thunder Run on Dunkin’:

NYRA ambassadors will surprise fans in the backyard with $5 Dunkin’ cards and discounted tickets to the Nov. 12 Adirondack Thunder hockey game at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, while supplies last. The Thunder, an ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, will be hosting a Saratoga-themed Sunday matinee in November. 

Fan Appreciation Day:

Special offers for fans on Sunday include:

•  Buy one ticket, get one free for reserved seats in the Clubhouse, Grandstand and Cutwater Stretch Premium Reserved section available through Ticketmaster.com;
•  Buy one reserved table, get one free in the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar and Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock available through Ticketmaster.com;
•  An afternoon in the Paddock Suite, featuring an introduction to handicapping, for half the regular season price at $45 per person; tickets can be purchased through Fevo.
• A family four-pack, including four Grandstand reserved seats with admission and $10 food and beverage credit per person for $99;
• Special $5 pricing on hot dogs and $5 12oz. beers at select concessions;
• Special $5 pricing on slices of pizza at the Finish Line Grill & Pizza;
• Cheese pie and 4-pack of 16oz. beer for $36 at the Finish Line Grill & Pizza;
• Burger, fries and domestic 16oz. beer for $22 at the Finish Line Grill & Pizza;
• Trackside parking for $10 (valet parking not included);
• Sunday brunch buffet at The Rail at the 1863 Club, including two mimosas or Bloody Marys, starting at $95 per person; reservations are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
• $50 savings on Clubhouse Boxes, D-level;
• Exclusive to NYRA Bets members: complimentary admission to The Cutwater Stretch (reserved seating not included).

Reservations for these offers are also available at the Saratoga Race Course Box Office, located at Gate A, or by phone at 844-NYRA-TIX. 

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 Superhero Day, and will feature giant games, a carnival booth, photo opportunities and more.

Community Outreach Booth:

Stars for our Troops takes old, tattered and faded U.S. flags, retired from service, and passes them to members of the military, veterans and first responders.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage: 

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Donna Tritico Band.

LABOR DAY, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Hopeful and Bernard Baruch: First Post at 12:40 p.m.

Closing Day will feature the 150,000 Bernard Baruch along with the prestigious Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs to conclude the 2023 Saratoga meeting.

Community Outreach Booth:

Capital Region Toys for Tots will close out the 2023 season at the Community Outreach Booth. Capital Region Toys for Tots works with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to collect new, unwrapped toys in October, November and December each year, and distribute them as holiday gifts to less fortunate children in the Capital Region.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage: 

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Alta Havana.

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