TurfPublicists: TRAVERS PICNIC TABLES AVAILABLE FOR ADVANCE PURCHASE; ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT BACKSTRETCH CHARITIES

Friday, August 3, 2012

Contact: Dan Silver

Mark Bardack

NYRA ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR LIMITED NUMBER OF PICNIC TABLES ON TRAVERS DAY

Fifty tables to be made available for advanced reserved seating via online registration; all proceeds from purchase of tables to benefit backstretch charities

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Racing fans will once again have the opportunity to reserve a picnic table in the backyard at Saratoga Race Course for the 143^rd running of the Travers.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today that 10 percent of the picnic tables located in the backyard of Saratoga Race Course will be set aside for reserved seating on Travers Day, Saturday, August 25. The initiative, which will benefit NYRA backstretch charities, was first introduced for Travers Day 2010.

“The Travers is certainly the centerpiece of the Saratoga meet and this year’s running of the Mid-Summer Derby promises to be a must-see event,” said NYRA President and COO Ellen McClain. “Now in its third year, the Travers Tables initiative is becoming a new tradition at Saratoga. We look forward to once again offering fans the opportunity to secure, at their leisure, one of our highly sought-after picnic tables to enjoy a day at the races with family and friends.”

Beginning on Friday, August 3, patrons will have the opportunity to register for the right to purchase a reserved picnic table on Travers Day at www.nyra.com.

Fifty registrants will be randomly selected from all eligible entries for the option to purchase one of the designated picnic tables. The tables will be located in a reserved section in the backyard adjacent to the Paddock and Big Red Spring.

If selected, registrants will be able to reserve a picnic table for $100 each. Tables are limited to a maximum of six people. All proceeds will benefit NYRA backstretch charities.

Registration closes on Monday, Aug. 13 at 5 p.m. Contest winners will be randomly chosen and will be notified of their selection via email.

The selected individuals will have until Sunday, August 19 at noon to exercise the right to purchase a reserved picnic table on Travers Day. Table price does not include the cost of general admission. Tables cannot be transferred or resold.

Purchasers can claim their table on Travers Day from 7 a.m. until noon at the Reserved Seating Office, Gate A, on Union Avenue.

No additional chairs or tables will be permitted in the reserved area.

The Grade 1, $1 million Travers was first run in 1864 and today is the oldest major stakes race in the country for 3-year-olds.

Gates open at 7 a.m. on Travers Day with a special first post time of 11:35 a.m.

For more information about how to reserve a table on Travers Day and a complete set of rules and regulations, please visit www.nyra.com.

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