Monday, August 6, 2012
Contact: Dan Silver
Mark Bardack
SARATOGA RACE COURSE WELCOMES BASEBALL LEGEND MARIANO RIVERA
Rivera visit highlighted by race named in his honor and a visit with jockeys in the paddock
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Saratoga Race Course will host arguably the greatest closer in baseball history when Mariano Rivera visits the Spa for a series of events on Friday, August 10.
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will name the third race “The Spa Welcomes Mo!” in honor of Rivera, who will appear in the winner’s circle to address the crowd and present the trophy for his eponymous race. The race will go to post shortly after 2 p.m. Rivera will also meet Saratoga’s top jockeys in the paddock for a photo opportunity during the day and will spend the afternoon watching the races from the venerable Spa.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mariano Rivera to Saratoga Race Course,” said NYRA President and COO Ellen McClain. “It’s an honor to add one of the most celebrated athletes in the history of New York sports to the long list of legendary figures who’ve graced these grounds during the summer meet.”
Rivera’s visit to Saratoga Race Course will come the morning after his exclusive dinner “An Evening with Mo” at Siro’s Trattoria at the Lodge to benefit the Mariano Rivera Foundation. Rivera has decided to extend his stay in Saratoga following the fundraising event in order to visit Saratoga Race Course, named one of the top 10 sporting venues of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated and ranked in the same company as Rivera’s baseball home for nearly two decades, Yankee Stadium.
Tickets for “An Evening with Mo” are available for $500 per person. To purchase tickets, call 516-355-4514.
Rivera is regarded as the most dominant relief pitcher in baseball history. The man known as “Mo” has handcuffed batters with his legendary cut fast ball on the way to becoming baseball’s greatest postseason pitcher. In 2011, Rivera set the record for career regular-season saves which currently stands at 608. Rivera is recovering from knee surgery following a season-ending injury in May.
For more information about Saratoga Race Course, log onto www.nyra.com.
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