WHAT'S HAPPENING TRAVERS WEEK AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE

 

Monday, August 23, 2010

 

Contact: Dan Silver

dsilver@nyrainc.com

 

Mark Bardack or Caitlin Merrill

mbardack@edlewi.com or cmerrill@edlewi.com

 

                                                                                       

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK AT SARATOGA

 

WHEN:           Wednesday, August 25 – Tuesday, August 31

 

WHERE:        Saratoga Race Course and other locations in Saratoga Springs

 

 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25

·        Travers 1864 Restaurant Week: Nearly 40 area restaurants and eateries will offer special pricing and menus in celebration of the Travers Stakes through participation in the first-ever “Travers 1864 Restaurant Week”. During the five-day event, which runs through Thursday, August 26, diners have the opportunity to indulge in a three-course meal for the prix-fixe cost of $18.64, the year of the inaugural running of the Travers, the oldest major stakes race in the country for 3-year-olds. For a complete list of participating restaurants and to view the prix-fixe menus, please visit http://www.nyra.com/Saratoga/RestaurantWeek.shtml.

 

·        Annual Stewart’s Ice Cream Contest: Racing fans can cool down at the track with the Stewart’s Shops annual Ice Cream Eating Contest. One of the best ways to beat the summer heat, those wishing to enter the “chilly” competition can sign up for the kid, teen or adult categories in front of the Jockey Silks Room at noon. The winners receive gift certificates for free Stewart’s Shops ice cream.

 

·        Belmont Child Care Association Benefit: Two of the industry’s most respected trainers and jockeys will be honored for their commitment to the racing community during the 13^th annual Belmont Child Care Association Benefit. The “Down Home Rodeo” Dinner and Auction benefits the Anna House, an early childhood education center for working families at Belmont Park. This year’s event will honor Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas as well as world-class jockey John Velazquez and his wife, Leona. To purchase tickets, contact 516-527-4746.  

 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26

·        San Gennaro Day: Old world ambiance and the charm and spirit of Italy will come trackside when Saratoga Race Course celebrates the first-ever San Gennaro Day.  Inspired by the timeless New York City street festival tradition, the day-long celebration of Italian culture and heritage will feature traditional Italian food and drink as well as Italian dance, music, games and entertainment. The day will include bocce ball demonstrations and a track sing-along to the classic Italian piece, “That’s Amore.” Patrons will be treated to special offerings from the eateries on Restaurant Row, including meatball subs and cannolis.

 

·        Jump Jockeys Autograph Session: In honor of the running of the Grade 1, $100,000 New York Turf Writers Cup Handicap, the National Steeplechase Association and the Steeplechase Owners and Trainers Association will host a special autograph signing with a number of the jockeys riding in the day’s feature race. The autograph signing will take place outside the Jockey Silks Room from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

 

·        12^th annual Ronald McDonald House Fashion Show: Start the day at Saratoga Race Course with a fashion show and luncheon presented by Saratoga Trunk to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. Held in the “At the Rail Pavilion,” the luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and is sponsored, in part, by Northeastern Fine Jewelry.

 

·        10^th annual Travers Celebration: As dusk settles over Saratoga Race Course, the 10^th annual Travers Celebration will be held in honor of 2009 Travers Stakes winner Summer Bird and his winning connections: owners Drs. Kalarikkal K. & Vilasini D. Jayaraman, trainer Tim Ice and jockey Kent Desormeaux. With approximately $100,000 raised each year during the event, the Travers Celebration expects to celebrate its 10^th anniversary by reaching the milestone donation total of $1 million for the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.), the Double H Ranch and other prominent local charities. The Travers Celebration will feature an elaborate cocktail reception and dinner, catered by Angelo Mazzone and his Mansion Catering; dancing to live music from Times Square Orchestra and a silent auction. The event gets underway at 7:30 p.m. with trackside cocktails, followed by dinner at 8:30 p.m. “At the Rail”. Northeastern Fine Jewelry will feature a collection of signature pieces from top Hollywood bridal and fashion jewelry designer Simon G. Tickets are $300 per person or $3,000 for a table of 10. For ticket and table information, please contact Amanda Lecce at 518-584-6200, ext. 4233.

 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27

·        Battle of the Brews: The backyard will play host to the area’s best brews as thirsty adults enjoy the ultimate in beer tasting at the 13^th Annual Battle of the Brews. The festival will feature nearly 20 of the area’s best micro-breweries with proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. Admission is $25 per person; which includes a souvenir tasting glass. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. The event runs from noon to 4:30 p.m. For ticket information, call 518-792-6545.

 

·        Travers Eve Party: NYRA and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will invite racing fans to get energized for the Spa’s signature race at the inaugural Travers Eve Party. The first-time event on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs will feature autograph sessions with Saratoga’s leading jockeys in the parking lot of the Saratoga Downtowner motel from 7 to 8 p.m., as well as live music and strolling entertainment from 7 to 10 p.m. Fans of all ages can stop by various downtown retailers to pick up free commemorative Travers Stakes items, including horse-shaped “Track Bandz” for kids and special Saratoga Race Course Mardi Gras beads for adults. For more information, visit www.saratoga.org/visitors/travers-eve.asp

 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 – TRAVERS DAY

·        Travers Stakes: Double Day Spectacular, Part One: It’s the start of a Double Day Spectacular with Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course and a special first post time of 11:35 a.m. The gates open at 7 a.m. for the 141^st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes, the oldest major stakes race in the country for 3-year-olds, at the classic distance of 1 ¼ miles. The Travers is scheduled as the 12^th of 13^th races with a 5:46 p.m. post time. The Travers Day undercard will include the Grade 1, $250,000 King’s Bishop for three-year-old sprinters at seven furlongs; the Grade 1, $250,000 Ballerina for fillies and mares at seven furlongs; the Grade 2, $200,000 Ballston Spa Handicap for fillies and mares at a mile and a sixteenth on the turf; and the Grade 3, $100,000 Victory Ride for three-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

 

·        Travers-Personal Ensign Double, $1 Million Pick 4: NYRA will offer a special Double linking the Travers to the following day’s Personal Ensign, the first wager offered over a period of two days at Saratoga in recent memory. The Travers-Personal Ensign Double will require bettors to correctly select the winners of both races. Also on Travers Day, NYRA will offer a $1 Million Guaranteed All-Graded Stakes Late Pick 4 featuring the Travers, the Grade 1 King’s Bishop, the Grade 1 Ballerina, and the Grade 3 Victory Ride. By guaranteeing the wager, NYRA will supplement the net difference if the total pool is less than $1 million.

 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 – RACHEL RETURNS

·        Personal Ensign Stakes featuring Return of Rachel Alexandra: Double Day Spectacular, Part Two: Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra will return to the scene of one of her most scintillating triumphs when she makes her start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Personal Ensign Stakes. In celebration of Rachel’s return, all fans will receive a free Rachel Alexandra button featuring her likeness and commemorating the date of her return engagement to Saratoga. The collector’s edition button is available with paid admission, while supplies last. Additionally, select Rachel Alexandra merchandise will be available for purchase at the NYRA store, including t-shirts, baseball caps and 50 limited edition “Were You There?” posters autographed by Rachel’s connections. Proceeds from the sale of Rachel posters and merchandise will benefit charity.

 

MONDAY, AUGUST 30

·        Dunkin’ Donuts Mondays: Dunkin’ Donuts will guide racing fans throughout the 40-day meet as the title sponsor of the time-honored Daily Double wagering tradition. The new Dunkin’ Donuts Daily Double will be offered on both the early and late doubles each day at Saratoga Race Course. Dunkin’ Donuts customers and racing fans will also receive a number of extra perks on Mondays. All fans who present their Dunkin’ Donuts rechargeable card at the track admission gates on Mondays will receive $2 off the price of grandstand admission.

 

·        Jockey Autograph Book Mondays: Racing fans will have their pen ready for the meet’s popular Jockey Autograph Book giveaway. The first 3,500 patrons through the gates with paid admission will receive the collector’s book, in which fans can gather the signatures of their favorite jockeys. Sponsored by Price Chopper, the autograph books will be available each Monday (excluding Labor Day).

 

·        Jockey & Saratoga VIP Charity Softball Game: Saratoga’s world-class jockeys will go up against some of the Capital Region’s most well known personalities in a Charity Softball Game to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. A special meet and greet with the participating jockeys will be held following the game, which will take place at East Side Recreation Park on Lake Avenue. Presented by STAR 101.3 FM, the evening will also feature a raffle and food and beverages from Mike’s Hot Dogs and Ben & Jerry’s. The first 100 adult paid admissions will receive a free t-shirt, while supplies last. Gates open at 6 p.m. with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for children. For more information, contact John J. Steve at 518-379-6251 or via email at johnstevepdjf@yahoo.com.

 

-30-

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