"RIB"-BON CUTTING, SHAKE SHACK AND BLUE SMOKE, OPENING DAY

 

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY/DAYBOOK ITEM

 

Union Square Hospitality Group “shakes up” Opening Day with

“Rib”-bon cutting ceremony to celebrate arrival of Shake Shack,

Blue Smoke & Paddock Bar

 

WHAT:          Saratoga Race Course welcomes the arrival of restaurateur Danny Meyer with an innovative and delicious “Rib”-bon cutting to herald the opening of the newly constructed Shake Shack, Blue Smoke and The Paddock Bar.

 

WHEN:          OPENING DAY

                        Friday, July 23

                        11:15 a.m.

           

WHERE:       Union Square Hospitality Group Paddock Area

Saratoga Race Course

 

WHO:             -Steve Duncker, Chairman, Board of Directors, New York Racing Association

-Charlie Hayward, President and CEO, New York Racing Association

                        -Danny Meyer, Chief Executive Officer, Union Square Hospitality Group

                        -Mayor Scott Johnson, City of Saratoga Springs

                        -Todd Shimkus, President, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

 

DETAILS:     Racing fans will be salivating over the newest additions to the dining scene at Saratoga Race Course with the opening of two of Danny Meyer’s most celebrated establishments at The Spa.

 

                        NYRA executives and local officials will gather to unveil the newly constructed site that houses the Shake Shack, Blue Smoke and The Paddock Bar and toast the arrival of Saratoga Race Course’s newest dining fixtures.

                       

Among the highlights, patrons will enjoy pulled pork sandwiches and Kansas City spareribs at Blue Smoke; ShackBurgers, hot dogs and frozen custard at Shake Shack; and a collection of innovative and classic cocktails, beer and wine at The Paddock Bar.

 

Saratoga Race Course will celebrate Opening Day of the 142^nd racing season on Friday, July 23. The New York Racing Association will offer free grandstand admission and reduced clubhouse admission as a means of welcoming back fans for the first of 40 days of thoroughbred racing.

 

Opening weekend will include the popular “Hats off to Saratoga” festival, the 19^th annual hat contest and the Saratoga debut of the Betfair TVG Coaching Club American Oaks. The nine-furlong filly race for three-year-olds moves to Saratoga from Belmont Park and will be celebrated on Saturday, July 24 with a display of antique coaches from the late 19^th century.

 

About Union Square Hospitality Group

Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) includes some of New York City's most beloved establishments: Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Blue Smoke/Jazz Standard, Shake Shack, The Modern, Cafe 2 and Terrace 5, located at The Museum of Modern Art, El Verano Taquería and Box Frites (both at Citi Field), Maialino, Union Square Events and Hospitality Quotient, a learning business. USHG is best known for its blend of excellent food and its unique style of warm hospitality. Actively involved in the community, USHG and its employees are committed to extending its enlightened hospitality beyond the walls of its restaurants. The company supports an array of hunger relief organizations including Share Our Strength and City Harvest; civic organizations such as NYC & Company, Union Square Partnership, and the Madison Square Park Conservancy; and other causes including the Hospice Unit at Beth Israel Hospital for which it prepares and delivers meals to its patients. Meyer, his restaurants, and chefs have earned an unprecedented 21 James Beard Awards, as well as numerous other media accolades. For the past decade, Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe have vied for #1 and #2 among Zagat’s Most Popular Restaurants in New York. www.ushgnyc.com

 

About NYRA

Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2009, more than 1.6 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races alone totals more than $9.3 million every race day. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com.

 

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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

E-mail: mbardack@edlewi.com or cmerrill@edlewi.com