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Students of Thoroughbreds and Racing, For Summer Meet At Saratoga
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the return of the NYRA Students of Thoroughbreds and Racing (NYRA STAR), which will begin July 11 at Saratoga Race Course and continue on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 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. New NYRA STAR members can join at any time but must visit the NYRA STAR booth in the Family Zone on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays, beginning July 11, to receive their printed ID card and lanyard.
Benefits of joining NYRA STAR include a personalized membership identification card and lanyard with a photo of each participant; a paddock tour and Winner’s Circle experience on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; STAR drawstring bag annual gift; private jockey meet & greet; exclusive kid-friendly email communications and more.
Paddock tours and Winner’s Circle experiences will take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during races 1-4, beginning July 11, for up to four NYRA STAR members per time slot. Each NYRA STAR member may bring up to two guests with them on the tour, one of whom must be a parent or legal guardian.
Lasting approximately 30 minutes and departing from the Big Red Spring, the experiential tour will be led by a knowledgeable guide, proceed through the paddock as the horses are saddled prior to “riders up”, and conclude at the Winner’s Circle to watch the assigned race.
New for 2025, STAR participants may register for a personalized backstretch tram tour, which will be held every Friday-Sunday beginning July 11 (excluding DraftKings Travers Day). The backstretch tour will depart at approximately 10 a.m. from Gate C; please note infants and strollers are not permitted on backstretch tours.
The NYRA STAR booth will be open on weekends from July 11 through August 31 from noon to 3 p.m.
For additional information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.
