TurfPublicists: SARATOGA TO HOST GALLOPING GRAPES NEW YORK WINE EVENT

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Contact: Dan Silver

Mark Bardack or Caitlin Merrill

mbardack@edlewi.com or cmerrill@edewi.com

TAKE A SIP OF THE SPA AT GALLOPING GRAPES: A NEW YORK WINE EVENT AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Wine aficionados and thoroughbred fans will come together once again for the third annual “Galloping Grapes: A New York Wine Event” at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday, August 5 from noon to 5 p.m.

The event will showcase numerous wineries from across New York State. Guests are invited to take in a day of first class wine and racing as they sip and sample their way around a designated section of the backyard.

The first 500 guests at the event will receive a commemorative Saratoga Race Course wine glass with their paid admission.

All proceeds from the event will benefit non-profit organizations the Times Union Hope Fund and the Times Union Classroom Enrichment Program.

“We are excited to welcome back Galloping Grapes for its third year at Saratoga Race Course. The event provides our guests with an opportunity to sample wines from some of New York’s finest wineries in a one of a kind venue,” said NYRA President and COO Ellen McClain. “We encourage our fans to join us at Saratoga to raise a glass to benefit two worthwhile community organizations.”

Featured wineries and vendors for the festival include Atwater Vineyards; Dr. Frank’s Wine Cellar; Glenora Wine Cellars; Heron Hill Vineyards; Johnston’s Winery; Knapp Winery and Vineyard; Limeberry Winery; Saratoga Olive Oil Co.; and That’s Different Chocolates. Event guests will have the opportunity to sample and purchase products from participating vendors.

Advance tickets are available for $20; tickets will be available day of the event for $25. Advance tickets may be purchased at gallopinggrapes2012.eventbrite.com/. Tickets to the Galloping Grapes wine festival are purchased separately from the cost of admission to Saratoga Race Course.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Times Union Hope Fund, which works to provide philanthropic support to Capital Region after-school and summer programs and the Times Union Classroom Enrichment Program, which provides teachers and students in the Capital Region with newspapers and other learning tools to help educate students.

Sunday’s feature race is the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga Race Course. 2011 Preakness and 2012 Met Mile winner Shackleford is expected to race in the Vanderbilt.

For up-to-date information on Galloping Grapes: A New York Wine Event and other special events, please visit www.nyra.com/saratogaevents.shtml.

-30-