The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will award 15 pari-mutuel wagering vouchers worth $1,000 each to fans on Thousand Dollar Thursday, September 3, to celebrate the final week of the 2009 meet. The 15 winners will have the opportunity to utilize the vouchers beginning Thursday through Monday, September 7, Saratoga’s closing day.

Saratoga will host a blockbuster final weekend that features six graded stakes races, including four Grade 1 affairs: The Woodward, Forego, Spinaway and Three Chimneys Hopeful.

“Thousand Dollar Thursday is our way of extending our appreciation to the finest horseracing fans in the world,” said NYRA Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Hal Handel. “Saratoga’s fans have helped to make this year a phenomenal success, despite a challenging economy, and we would like to take this opportunity to reward them with $15,000 worth of wagering on us.”

Beginning at 11 a.m. on the final Thursday of the meet, tickets will be distributed at the admissions booths of Saratoga Race Course and will be available to the public; track admission is not required.

Starting with the first race of the day, post time 1 p.m., three tickets will be drawn every 15 minutes, until 15 total vouchers each worth $1,000 have been given away.

The vouchers must be utilized on track and will expire on Labor Day.

On Saturday, September 5, filly Rachel Alexandra will attempt to become the first female to beat older males in the 56th renewal of the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward. Saturday will also include the Grade 1, $300,000 Forego for sprinters 3-years-old and up. Sunday’s feature is the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway for juvenile fillies, and to cap off the meet the Grade 1, $300,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful will be run on Labor Day, where fans can get a preview of the potential field for the 2010 Triple Crown.