Saratoga Highlights: Opening Weekend
WHAT: Opening Weekend at Saratoga Race Course
WHEN: Thursday, July 10 – Sunday, July 13
HOW: NYRA.com
THURSDAY, JULY 10 (OPENING DAY)
Breakfast at Saratoga: Breakfast at Saratoga, driven by CDTA, gets underway daily at 7 a.m. through 9:30 a.m., excluding DraftKings Travers Day and Labor Day. Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a buffet breakfast against the backdrop of morning training as well as claim the free picnic tables in the Rivers Casino Backyard.
Fans can also go behind the scenes with a free, guided backstretch tram tour. Tram tours depart from the clubhouse entrance beginning at 7:30 a.m. with the last one leaving at 9 a.m. and running every 30 minutes. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are approximately 45 minutes in length. Tours are available every live racing day with the exception of DraftKings Travers Day and Labor Day.
Admission Gates and Post Time: Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 10-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.
Cash will not be accepted for food and beverage purchases, admission, parking or programs (with the exception of the official Saratoga store) during the 40-day Saratoga summer meet. Reverse ATMs, also known as cash-to-card kiosks, will be available at multiple locations throughout the venue.
De La Rose: Opening Day is highlighted by the Listed $135,000 De La Rose, a restricted one-mile turf test for older fillies and mares which will be split into two divisions based on demand and carded as races 5 and 8. The De La Rose kicks off the 40-day summer meet which features 64 stakes races worth more than $20 million in total purses.
Saratoga Live: Saratoga Live, the critically acclaimed and award-winning show produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, will return for its 10th season to provide daily coverage and in-depth analysis of the summer meet to a nationwide audience on the FOX Sports family of networks. For the complete broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.
Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour: NYRA’s popular Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tours begin Opening Day and continue through Sunday, August 31. Tours will be available every Thursday through Sunday (excluding DraftKings Travers Day and Sunday, August 10 whose tour will be offered on Wednesday, August 6). Presented by New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), this year’s itinerary will feature Old Tavern Farm, Sugar Plum Farm and Song Hill Thoroughbreds. The package includes buffet breakfast, transportation, guided tour of a local breeding farm and admission to Saratoga Race Course. Tickets are $95 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under. Each tour accommodates up to 52 guests. Tickets may be purchased at NYRA.com
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, food and ice cream (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages). Featured products hail from across the state as a showcase of New York’s robust food and beverage industry.
FRIDAY, JULY 11
Giveaway #1: Saratoga Summer Tour From The Spa T-Shirt Presented By NYRA Bets: All fans with paid admission will receive a red, high-performance concert-style tour tee, while supplies last. The t-shirt features a silhouette of the Saratoga Race Course grandstand and a schedule with the 2025 Summer Meet’s stakes races on the back. Emblazoned on the front is a horse and jockey logo denoting the live at the Spa 2025 summer tour. Presented by NYRA Bets, the t-shirt will be available in two sizes: medium and extra-large.
Admission Gates and Post Time: Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 10-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.
Coronation Cup: Opening Weekend continues with the Grade 3, $175,000 Coronation Cup, a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for sophomore fillies.
NYRA STAR: NYRA Students of Thoroughbreds and Racing (STAR) returns beginning Friday, July 11 and continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through August 31. NYRA STAR is designed to give children, ages 12 and under, and their families, insider access into the world of thoroughbred racing. Participants will experience the sport through exclusive on-track events, educational opportunities and kid-friendly communications designed to ignite their interest in horses and excitement for the sport of thoroughbred racing. Membership for NYRA STAR is free of charge. Registration can be completed online at NYRA.com/STAR or in-person at the NYRA STAR booth in the Family Zone.
SATURDAY, JULY 12
Admission Gates and Post Time: Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 12-race program getting underway at 12:35 p.m.
Dunkin’ Diana and Bowling Green: Opening weekend is highlighted by the first Grade 1 of the summer meet in the $500,000 Dunkin’ Diana for turf fillies and mares ages 4 and up. The day’s card also includes the Grade 2, $200,000 Bowling Green on the turf for older horses.
Horse Sense: Fans of all ages can pet a retired thoroughbred every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at Horse Sense. The educational exhibit includes fun facts about the life and career of a thoroughbred. The family-friendly attraction is located inside Gate A.
Saratoga Sunrise Sampling: Fans 21 and over will have an opportunity to sample the Saratoga Sunrise, the official cocktail of Saratoga Race Course. Made with Belvedere vodka, samples will be available at the Jim Dandy Bar from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last.
SUNDAY, JULY 13
Admission Gates and Post Time: Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 10-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.
Saratoga-Con, presented by Miller Lite – Saratoga-Con, presented by Miller Lite, will take place from noon to 2 p.m. For $10, guests 21 and older can enjoy one drink plus various Miller Lite giveaways at each of four stops which will include activities such as a wagering seminar and photo booth. Attendance is limited to 200. Tickets may be purchased by clicking here. Admission to Saratoga Race Course is required and must be purchased separately.
Quick Call: The Grade 3, $175,000 Quick Call presented by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation closes out Opening Weekend.
Sunday Brunch At The Rail Of The 1863 Club: Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space at the 1863 Club. Tickets start at $110 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.
Introduction To Handicapping: Offered every Sunday in the Paddock Suite, fans can learn betting strategies and tips from an expert handicapper. Tickets start at $85 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. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here.
Family Sundays At The Family Fun Zone: Family Sundays will feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions, and educational activities each Sunday inside the Family Zone, located near Gate A at the Top of the Stretch.
All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.
