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2024 Saratoga Highlights: Week 4

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

SARATOGA HIGHLIGHTS: WEEK #4

Week #4 at Saratoga Race Course Wednesday, July 31 – Sunday, August 4

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31

De La Rose:

Wednesday’s running of the $135,000 De La Rose, a one-mile turf test for older fillies and mares, kicks off stakes action during Whitney Week at Saratoga Race Course. First post is 1:10 p.m.

Saratoga Live:

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit NYRA.com/SaratogaLive.

Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour:

NYRA’s Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tours are offered every Wednesday through Saturday (excluding Aug. 24). Fans will enjoy a buffet breakfast during morning training at Saratoga Race Course before boarding a CDTA trolley to Song Hill Thoroughbreds on Wednesdays and Thursdays; Old Tavern Farm on Fridays; and Sugar Plum Farm on Saturdays. General admission to the races in the afternoon is included in the package. Tickets must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host The Wesley Community whose unique continuum of care community in Saratoga Springs provides market rate and affordable housing for independent seniors, enriched living apartments for seniors who desire additional support, in-home health care services, short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing care, as well as outpatient therapies for people of all ages.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will feature live music from Hot Club of Saratoga to start the festivities during Whitney Week.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1

Glens Falls:

Thursday’s featured race is the Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls for older fillies and mares going 1 1/2 miles over the inner turf.

Taste NY Pavilion:

New York-made food and beverages will be available for sample and purchase at the Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, where fans can enjoy New York craft beers, wines, spirits, cheese and chocolate (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages).

15th Annual Jockeys vs. Horsemen Charity Basketball Game:

The annual jockeys-vs.-horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, will be played at 7 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center. The jockey team will be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Ángel Cordero Jr., with trainer Todd Pletcher and agent Kiaran McLaughlin coaching the horsemen team. Admission is free.

Community Outreach Booth:

In conjunction with the 15th Annual Jockeys vs. Horsemen Charity Basketball Game, NYRA will host the New York Race Track Chaplaincy at the Community Outreach Booth. The New York Race Track Chaplaincy ministers to the needs of the unique community of backstretch workers and their families.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from The Lustre Kings.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2

National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational:

Headlining Friday’s card are a pair of Grade 2 stakes on the inner turf. The $500,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame for sophomore turf milers, and the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational at 1 3/16-miles for sophomore fillies, which has been elevated from Grade 3 status.

Giveaway #2: Baseball Jersey Presented by Rivers Casino (Photo):

The second premium giveaway of the season is a white baseball jersey with red piping and a red Saratoga logo emblazoned across the front. Presented by Rivers Casino, the jersey will be available in two adult sizes: medium and extra-large.

The premium giveaway is free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway. Fans must present a coupon at designated locations on track to redeem the item.

Betting Basics with Matthew DeSantis:

NYRA Bets Content Producer and Handicapper Matthew DeSantis will teach betting basics during Breakfast at Saratoga to give fans of all ages their best shot at walking away a winner. Classes will be held every Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at The Porch.

Sampling Event:

Racing fans 21 and older can enjoy complimentary samples of White Claw Hard Seltzer at the White Claw gazebo, located adjacent to the mutuels bay in the backyard. Samples are available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last.

Berkshire Bank Horse Sense:

Fans of all ages can pet a retired thoroughbred every Friday through Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at Berkshire Bank Horse Sense. The educational exhibit also includes fun facts about the life and career of a thoroughbred. The family-friendly attraction is located inside Gate A and is presented by Berkshire Bank.

Community Outreach Booth:

NYRA will host Retired Racehorse Project on Friday, which facilitates the placement of retired thoroughbred racehorses in second careers by increasing their demand in equestrian sports and serving the farms, trainers and organizations that transition them.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Tonight’s the Night – a tribute to Neil Young.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3:

FIRST POST: 12:05 P.M.

GATES OPEN: 10:30 A.M.

Whitney Day:

The 97th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney headlines a 13-race card and offers an automatic berth to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. Completing the Grade 1s on Whitney Day is the seven-furlong $500,000 Test presented by Ticketmaster for sophomore fillies and the $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational, at 1 3/16-miles on turf for sophomores. The Saratoga Derby Invitational will serve as an international qualifier for the Group 1, AUD$5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate.

Whitney Day will also include the Grade 2, $300,000 Troy for older turf sprinters, which has been elevated from Grade 3 status last year, and the $135,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure at 1 1/16-miles on turf for older horses.

FOX Saratoga Saturday:

Live broadcast coverage from Saratoga Race Course returns to FOX from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. FOX Saratoga Saturday will air for consecutive weeks through Saturday, Aug. 24.

Best in Pink Photo Contest:

Fans are encouraged to dress in pink for Whitney Day in recognition of local breast cancer survivors and the work of To Life!, a Capital Region nonprofit organization that provides personalized breast cancer education and support services. The Best in Pink photo contest will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jockey Silks Porch for a variety of prizes.

Tasting Exacta:

Whitney Day will feature a pair of complimentary samplings at the Jim Dandy Bar, presented by Great Jones Distilling Co., and at the Josh Cellars Wine Grove. Fans 21 and older can enjoy the Great Jones Mule outside the Jim Dandy Bar while various Josh Cellars wines will be available for tasting at the Josh Cellars Wine Grove in the backyard outside the paddock. Samples are available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last.

Community Outreach Booth:

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire and rehome thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Currently, 86 organizations with approximately 180 facilities hold TAA accreditation across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Soul Session.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

Adirondack and Birdstone:

Whitney weekend concludes with the Grade 3, $200,000 Adirondack at 6 1/2-furlongs for juvenile fillies and the $150,000 Birdstone for older marathoners traveling 1 3/4 miles.

Sunday Brunch at The Rail at the 1863 Club:

Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet in The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space. Tickets start at $105 and include admission, a table seat for the day, brunch buffet, soft drinks, Post Parade program book, tax and gratuity. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Sunday Introduction to Handicapping and Meet-and-Greet:

Enjoy your Sunday in the Paddock Suite, learning betting strategies and tips from expert handicappers. Tickets start at $75 and include admission, Post Parade program book and a table seat for the day within the climate-controlled, shared suite overlooking the historic saddling area. Fans will also be treated to a meet-and-greet with Saratoga Race Course’s track announcer Frank Mirahmadi. Tickets can be purchased online through Fevo.

Family Sundays at the Family Fun Zone:

The popular family-friendly weekly event includes a wide variety of free activities, games, attractions and educational experiences from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office. This week’s theme is Summer Olympics.

Community Outreach Booth:

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will return on Sunday to close out the week at the Community Outreach Booth.

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage:

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from The North & South Dakotas.

All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.