NYRA: Highlights for the final week of the Saratoga 2023 meet

Jul 11, 2023

Thursday’s Grade 3, $175,000 With Anticipation is a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for 2-year-olds.

The Taste NY Pavilion features New York-made food and beverages available for sample and purchase. Fans can visit the pavilion Thursdays through Sundays, from noon to 5 p.m., to enjoy New York craft beer, hard cider, wine, spirits, cheese, chocolate and gelato from Long Island to the Adirondacks and the Capital Region to Western New York (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages).

Horseplayers can enjoy the Saratoga Low Roller Contest held exclusively on-track every Thursday and Sunday at Saratoga Race Course. Fans can pre-register on contest days outside the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar. There is a $40 buy-in, of which $30 will go to the player’s bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. The winner will receive a Saratoga Low Roller championship T-shirt in addition to the cash prize.

NYRA will host the Center for Disability Services which provides programs, services and a continuum of care that empowers people with disabilities to lead healthy, happy and productive lives.

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Steven Candlen Band.

Friday’s feature is the Grade 3, $175,000 Saranac, a 1 1/16-mile turf contest for 3-year-olds.

Fans can claim the final giveaway of the season: a tote bag presented by Saratoga Casino Hotel. This generously sized, red and white polyester tote bag accommodates everything needed for an exciting day at the races. A white mesh side pocket provides extra storage, while a top zipper keeps cargo safe and secure. Free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway.

Fans can enjoy a Labor Day weekend-themed barbecue buffet in The Rail at the 1863 Club starting at $95 per person on Friday and Monday, and starting at $110 per person on Saturday. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue is committed to the lifelong well-being of its horses by giving them more promising and meaningful futures, and building the healing bond between humans and horses.

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

Closing Weekend will feature a pair of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” events, led by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at the classic distance of 10 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up vying for an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Saturday’s card also includes the Grade 2, $500,000 Flower Bowl, an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares offering a berth in the Filly and Mare Turf; the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for sophomore filly sprinters; and the $150,000 Harvey Pack for older turf sprinters. The Harvey Pack, formerly the Lucky Coin, honors the late broadcasting pioneer, who for more than three decades was one of the best-known personalities in New York racing.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and New York Times reporter Sarah Maslin Nir and co-author Raymond White, Jr. will unveil their new book, The Jockey & Her Horse, Inspired by the True Story of the First Black Female Jockey, Cheryl White, on Saturday at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. There will be a book giveaway (available while supplies last) and signing from noon to 1 p.m. at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s satellite pavilion at Saratoga Race Course as well as a special named race and trophy presentation in the winner’s circle honoring Cheryl White.

Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420 – Saratoga Springs preserves and strengthens comradeship by assisting worthy members; perpetuating the memory and history of deceased members; and assisting their widows and orphans.

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Big Fez & The Surfmatics.

Sunday’s feature is the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway for 2-year-old fillies sprinting seven furlongs.

Fans will have another chance to secure the first premium giveaway of the season: a Saratoga-branded, 64-ounce red and white cooler jug, presented by NYRA Bets. Fans will be able to claim their cooler jug as they exit each of the three gates beginning at 4 p.m., while supplies last.

NYRA ambassadors will surprise fans in the backyard with $5 Dunkin’ cards and discounted tickets to the Nov. 12 Adirondack Thunder hockey game at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls, while supplies last. The Thunder, an ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, will be hosting a Saratoga-themed Sunday matinee in November.

Special offers for fans on Sunday include:

Buy one ticket, get one free for reserved seats in the Clubhouse, Grandstand and Cutwater Stretch Premium Reserved section available through Ticketmaster.com; Buy one reserved table, get one free in the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar and Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock available through Ticketmaster.com; An afternoon in the Paddock Suite, featuring an introduction to handicapping, for half the regular season price at $45 per person; tickets can be purchased through Fevo. A family four-pack, including four Grandstand reserved seats with admission and $10 food and beverage credit per person for $99; Special $5 pricing on hot dogs and $5 12oz. beers at select concessions; Special $5 pricing on slices of pizza at the Finish Line Grill & Pizza; Cheese pie and 4-pack of 16oz. beer for $36 at the Finish Line Grill & Pizza; Burger, fries and domestic 16oz. beer for $22 at the Finish Line Grill & Pizza; Trackside parking for $10 (valet parking not included); Sunday brunch buffet at The Rail at the 1863 Club, including two mimosas or Bloody Marys, starting at $95 per person; reservations are available online at Ticketmaster.com. $50 savings on Clubhouse Boxes, D-level; Exclusive to NYRA Bets members: complimentary admission to The Cutwater Stretch (reserved seating not included). Reservations for these offers are also available at the Saratoga Race Course Box Office, located at Gate A, or by phone at 844-NYRA-TIX.

The popular family-friendly weekly event features a wide variety of free activities, games, attractions and educational experiences from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office. This week’s theme is Superhero Day, and will feature giant games, a carnival booth, photo opportunities and more.

Stars for our Troops takes old, tattered and faded U.S. flags, retired from service, and passes them to members of the military, veterans and first responders.

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Donna Tritico Band.

Closing Day will feature the 150,000 Bernard Baruch along with the prestigious Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs to conclude the 2023 Saratoga meeting.

Capital Region Toys for Tots will close out the 2023 season at the Community Outreach Booth. Capital Region Toys for Tots works with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to collect new, unwrapped toys in October, November and December each year, and distribute them as holiday gifts to less fortunate children in the Capital Region.

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Alta Havana.

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

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