COLLEGE DAY MAKES EARLY RETURN TO SARATOGA RACE COURSE; PARTY AT THE SPA TO FOLLOW

 

July 20, 2010

 

Contact: Dan Silver

dsilver@nyrainc.com

 

Mark Bardack or Caitlin Merrill

Ed Lewi Associates

518-383-6183

 

SARATOGA RACE COURSE HEADS TO THE TOP OF THE CLASS

WITH RETURN OF COLLEGE DAY AND REVAMPED PARTY AT THE SPA

 

 

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Saratoga Race Course will welcome college students back to their favorite course this fall with the second annual College Day on Friday, July 30.

 

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will prepare college students in attendance for the upcoming academic year with the chance to win a series of $1,000 scholarships. NYRA will award a $1,000 scholarship following each race held throughout the day.

 

All students will receive free grandstand admission with a valid college ID.

 

"We are excited to make a trip to Saratoga a summer break tradition for Capital Region area students with the return of College Day,” said NYRA Executive Vice President and COO Hal Handel. “We look forward to ensuring a bright future for students by offering the chance to win scholarship money and other great prizes to get them off to the right start in the new school year.”

 

SUNY Cobleskill and The Sage Colleges will match the $1,000 scholarship from NYRA with additional money toward tuition should any of their students be named a scholarship recipient on College Day.

 

The University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) will also supplement NYRA’s offer with an additional $2,000 in scholarship money, for a grand total of $3,000, for those students accepted into its innovative track management program at the University of Arizona.

 

“With the New York area having a great tradition of horse racing we get many students from that area and we would be delighted to help someone pursue a career and follow their passion by assisting with scholarship funding,” said Doug Reed, director of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program. “It is wonderful to see how much the racing industry supports the mission of higher education.”

 

Additionally, the Race for Education, a non-profit organization that provides educational programs and college scholarships to students in the equine and agriculture industry, will underwrite the $1,000 scholarship to be awarded following the Fleet Indian stakes race.

 

This year marks the fourth year of the Race for Education’s annual Fleet Indian Scholarship which is for up to $24,000. The scholarship, funded by Fleet Indian race earnings donated by Fleet Indian owner and Race for Education board member Paul Saylor, is presented annually following the Fleet Indian stakes race to a New York student hoping to pursue a career in the racing industry.

 

Beginning at noon, students may register to win the scholarships and many other prizes at the Big Red Spring located in the backyard.

 

Students will also have the chance to win a number of great prizes and giveaways, including an iPad, digital cameras and iTunes gift cards.

 

Colleges interested in taking part in College Day at Saratoga Race Course should contact Ed Lewi Associates at 518-383-6183.

 

College Day coincides with the meet’s first “Party at the Spa,” which features a special 2:30 p.m. post time and culminates in the last race of the day under a setting sun.

 

Previously held in the backyard at Saratoga, the post-racing event will be reenergized and relocated to the area surrounding the jockey statues near the clubhouse entrance. Fans are invited to stay after the races as the fun continues with a block party outside the clubhouse gates featuring a mix of great food, drinks, and live music from The Sean Dolan Band.

 

The 142^nd season at Saratoga Race Course begins Friday, July 23 and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 6. Post time is 1 p.m. with the exception of Party at the Spa on Friday, July 30, and Friday, September 3, when post time is 2:30 p.m. and on Travers Day, Saturday, August 28, with a special first post time of 11:35 a.m. There is no racing on Tuesdays at Saratoga.

 

For up-to-date information on Saratoga’s College Day and other special events, please visit www.nyra.com/saratogaevents.shtml.

 

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Mark Bardack or Caitlin Merrill

Ed Lewi Associates • 6 Chelsea Place • Clifton Park, NY 12065

ELA Main Office: (518) 383-6183 • FAX (518) 383-6755 (Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Saratoga Race Course Office: (518) 584-6200, x 4233, or 4739 (Wed. – Mon., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Weekend Numbers: M. Bardack Cell (518) 867-7943, or C. Merrill Cell (518) 867-2440