The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
CROWD PLEASER
Fan Appreciation Week marks final days of 2022 Saratoga Race Course meet
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> As the calendar flips to September, Saratoga Race Course is presenting its final week of racing for the 2022 season, while showing some extra fan appreciation.
Wednesday through Monday, which is Labor Day, marks Fan Appreciation Week at the Spa with ticket specials, giveaways and more.
The New York Racing Association will thank its fans for another outstanding summer with special offers on tickets, food and beverage, and hospitality during the final week of the season at Saratoga Race Course. Fans will have an opportunity to take advantage of special discounts on tickets to the 1863 Club, Paddock Suite, Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock, Cutwater Stretch, Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar, Clubhouse boxes and general reserved seating.
Fans who are NYRA Bets members will receive complimentary access to the Cutwater Stretch during Fan Appreciation Week.
As for the races, Wednesday’s 18th running of the Grade 3, $175,000 With Anticipation for two-year-olds over the inner turf course serves as the headliner on a 10-race program that kicks off the final week of the summer meet.
Thursday will bring the 18th running of the $150,000 P.G. Johnson, a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for juvenile fillies, honors the late Hall of Fame trainer who crafted a distinguished career that spanned six decades. Philip George Johnson was the leading trainer at Saratoga in 1983 and, according to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, won at least one race each year at the Spa from 1962 to 2003.
Dunkin’ will be on-track to keep fans running through the final Thursday of the meet. Fans can get their pictures taken with Dunkin’ mascots, who will be stationed at the gates beginning at 3 p.m. Dunkin’ will also be distributing $5 gift cards to fans departing the track later in the afternoon, while supplies last.
Fans can also find treats at the Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch. This pavilion features New York craft beer, cider, wine and spirits products, including offerings from: Bolton Landing Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery, Common Roots Brewing Company, Druthers Brewing Co., Frog Alley Brewing Co., Northway Brewing Company, Paradox Brewery, Nine Pin Cider Works, Brotherhood Winery and Old Tavern Farm Winery, and spirits from Cooperstown Distillery, Great Jones and Pick Six Vodka. It is open from noon until 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and from noon until 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Next up, Friday’s 10-race card will feature the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for 3-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs on the main track and the $150,000 Lucky Coin, a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for older horses.
Friday’s fans will also enjoy the final premium giveaway of the 2022 season: a mini umbrella presented by NYRA Bets. The umbrella is red and white and features the traditional red Saratoga logo and black NYRA Bets logo. All fans with paid admission will receive a coupon for the giveaway,
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 receive the complimentary item.
Anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy Friday, too. Stewart’s Shops will scoop free ice cream for fans beginning at 1 p.m. Complimentary scoops will be available adjacent to the clubhouse/grandstand exchange on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last.
This weekend’s racing will kick off a little early, with a special post time of 12:35 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Closing Weekend of the Saratoga meet 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 10 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up vying for a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Should a Grade/group 1 winner start in the 2022 Jockey Club Gold Cup, the purse will be increased to $1.25 million.
Saturday’s card also includes the Grade 2, $600,000 Flower Bowl, an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares offering a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf; along with the Grade 3, $200,000 Saranac.
Sunday’s card will feature the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway for juvenile fillies sprinting seven furlongs.
On both Thursday and Sunday, horseplayers can enjoy the Saratoga Low Roller Contest. Players can pre-register outside the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar on contest days. There is a $40 buy-in, of which $30 will go to the players’ bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Winners will also receive a t-shirt in addition to the cash prize.
Saratoga Racecourse will continue its Stars at the Spa series with Bernie Williams on Sunday, when fans will have the chance to meet retired Major League Baseball player and jazz musician. Fans can choose between a ticketed meet-and-greet for up to 50 guests in the Paddock Suite, featuring food, drink (beer, wine and soft drinks) and conversation with the former New York Yankees All-star and World Series champion; or a ticketed meet-and-greet at the Jockey Silks Room Porch that includes a photo opportunity and signed headshot. Tickets can be reserved at NYRA.COM.
Families of four are invited to take advantage of a ticket special on the final Sunday of the meet. For $96, guests will receive four grandstand reserved seats with admission, four hot dogs and four fountain drinks from select concession stands. Please use offer code FAMILY during checkout at Nyra.com/fans.
The popular familyfriendly Berkshire Bank Family Sundays weekly event will offer 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.
The 2022 meet will officially wrap up on Monday. Closing Day will feature the prestigious Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs and the Grade 3, $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap to conclude the Saratoga meeting.
For live trackside musical entertainment, the week’s Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage lineup includes Jacksland, Steve Candlen Band, Swinging Palms, ILL funk, the North and South Dakotas and Big Medicine.
The Spa’s Community Outreach Booth is set to highlight Saratoga Bridges, Friends of Moreau Lake State Park, After the Fire, Floyd Warriors, the Disabled American Veterans of Cold Brook and Capital Region Toys for Tots.
Saratoga Live presents daily coverage and analysis of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit Nyra.com/saratogalive.
For information about all Saratoga Race Course offers and to purchase tickets, fans can visit NYRA. com/fans.