Becky’s Joker kicked off 2023 stakes action winning the Schuylerville. (Coglianese/NYRA Photo)
Saratoga celebrates opening weekend with wicked racing and rocking events.
Saratoga Highlights/Edited
It’s safe to say that many a Thoroughbred racing aficionado has been salivating for this weekend since the calendar announced summer.
The opening weekend for Saratoga Race Course, the Spa, Summer Camp or however you wish to refer to the venue, has a world-class racing and top-class amenities an events lined up in the starting gate for fans.
The meet kicks off stakes action with the Schuylerville, the first of 71 stakes worth $20.75 million scheduled for the 40-day summer meet. This weekend also features the Diana, the Kelso, the Sanford, the Coronation Cup, the Wilton and Quick Call.
THURSDAY, JULY 11 (Opening Day)
The $175,000 Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies.
First post is 1:10 p.m. EDT.
Saratoga Live: Saratoga Live, the acclaimed television show produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, will return for its 9th season to provide expansive on-site daily coverage of the summer meet to a nationwide audience on the networks of FOX Sports.
For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit NYRA.com/SaratogaLive.
Taste of New York Pavilion. (NYRA Photo)
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). Featured products hail from Montauk to the Finger Lakes and the Hudson Valley to the Adirondacks as a showcase of the state’s robust food and beverage industry.
Community Outreach Booth: As part of NYRA’s season-long commitment to spreading awareness of local nonprofits, NYRA will again host one organization each day in the Community Outreach Booth, located adjacent to the Jockey Silks Room, inside Gate B. On Opening Day, NYRA will host Jewish War Veterans, a leading Veterans Service Organization that supports and advocates for all uniformed service members, veterans and their families.
Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage: The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live musical performances each afternoon of the season from popular local and regional bands. Opening Day will get underway with live music from ILL Funk.
FRIDAY, JULY 12
Coronation Cup and Wilton:
Opening Weekend continues with two stakes for sophomore fillies in the $150,000 Coronation Cup on turf and the $135,000 Wilton to be contested at one mile out of the Wilson Chute.
Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour: NYRA’s Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tours begin Friday, July 12 and continue through Saturday, August 31. Tours are offered every Wednesday through Saturday (excluding July 13 and Aug. 24) and select Sundays. 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 most Saturdays and select Sundays, where they will participate in an extended guided walking tour. Admission to the races in the afternoon is included in the package. Tickets must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com.
Horse Sense 2023. (NYRA Photo)
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 the Northeast Problem Gambling Resource Center, which addresses problem gambling within the Northeastern region of New York by raising public awareness and connecting individuals, families and communities adversely impacted by gambling to support and services.
Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage: The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Soul City Band.
SATURDAY, JULY 13
Diana, Kelso and Sanford: 12:35 p.m. first post
Opening Weekend is highlighted by the first Grade 1 of the meet in the $500,000 Diana for turf fillies and mares. The day’s card will include an additional pair of $175,000 Grade 3s in the Sanford for juveniles sprinting six furlongs and the Kelso at one-mile on turf for older horses. First post is 12:35 p.m. EDT on all Saturdays with the exception of DraftKings Travers Day, Aug. 24.
NYRA Bets Superfecta Summer Ale Sampling: Fans 21 and over will have an opportunity to sample the new Superfecta Summer Ale, produced by Northway Brewing Co. in partnership with NYRA Bets. The craft beer will be available for tasting at the new Jim Dandy Bar, presented by Great Jones Distilling Co., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while supplies last.
Community Outreach Booth: The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York provides accessible, current information about epilepsy and seizure disorders to individuals with epilepsy, as well as their parents, family members and friends.
Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage: The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from 18 Strings of Trouble.
SUNDAY, JULY 14
Quick Call:
The Grade 3, $175,000 Quick Call, presented by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, a sophomore turf sprint, closes out Opening Weekend.
Sunday Brunch at The Rail at 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 $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.
Handicapping Seminar and Meet-and-Greet: Enjoy your Sunday at the races 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 Beach Day.
Community Outreach Booth: Operation Adopt A Soldier will close out Opening Week at the Community Outreach Booth. The nonprofit provides a sense of home to U.S. soldiers through care packages, gifts, letters and more.
Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage: The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live music from Dealt the Blues.
All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.
