Uber partners with NYRA
Uber partners with NYRA for Saratoga Race Course season
Uber has been named New York Racing Association’s official ridehailing partner for the Saratoga Race Course season, which begins Friday.
An official Uber pickup zone has been designated on Frank Sullivan Place outside the clubhouse entrance, directly across from Siro’s parking lot.
Fans may also visit the track with Uber’s rival, Lyft, but will not have access to the designated pickup area.
Uber paid for the official track designation, NYRA spokesman Patrick McKenna said. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“It’s a great way to enter and exit the track each day,” he said. “It also provides easy access to downtown. We’re pleased that Uber is part of the upstate economy now. Uber and ridesharing services have proven to be a safe and efficient way for people to get places.”
Uber was launched in 2010 in large metropolitan areas with a goal of providing reliable transportation, while reducing traffic congestion and auto emissions. This is the first year the service has been available locally.
Uber will be featured within the new NYRA XP mobile app.
It will also be promoted across the track’s daily digital LED tote board and transportation page: www.NYRA/com/Saratoga.
New Uber riders will receive $15 off their first trip to or from Saratoga Race Course with promo code NYRA2017.
Uber New York General Manager Sarfraz Maredia said, “We look forward to providing access to affordable, reliable transportation for New Yorkers and visitors as they visit the racecourse this summer.”
Opening weekend of the 40day meet, which runs through Labor Day Monday, promises to be a busy one. The first of several giveaways is scheduled for Sunday when all visitors may obtain a free baseball cap with paid admission.
On the track, Friday’s featured races are the Grade III Schuylerville and Grade III Lake George.
Starting this Friday, Taste NY craft beer tastings will be held from noon to 5 p.m. each Friday at the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion. Five samples are available for $5. Guests must be 21 or older to participate.
After the last race, fans may take part in Woodford Reserve Fridays at The Post, a bar and entertainment venue adjacent to the paddock. Each Friday of the meet will feature a disc jockey and dancing, cocktail samplings and trivia contests.
On Saturday, a food and artisans on-track market will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion. All market products are made or produced in New York state. The market will be held every Saturday and Sunday during the meet.
Every Saturday, after the final race, a Ketel One Party will be held at The Post with music, cocktail samplings and giveaways.
On Sunday, the 26th annual Hat Contest is scheduled. Visitors will go head-to-head for prizes in three different categories -- children, most fashionable millinery and most creative hat. Contests will take place after the second, third and fourth races of the afternoon. Prizes are provided by Hat sational.
The Saratoga meet marks the debut of NYRA XP, a new app that allows fans to personalize and navigate their on-track experience through their mobile device. Fans who download NYRA XP will be able to learn about upcoming events, purchase tickets, find their seat location, bet through NYRA Bets,
live stream races and customize their viewing experience from various camera locations, conduct wayfinding activities and, later in the meet, order food from on-track concessions and purchase reserved parking.
NYRA has spent $29 million on capital improvements at the track since
2013.
This year’s work includes a smoke- and alcohol-free interactive playground area near the reserved seats box office and Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion. This family zone includes an oval multi-lane running track surrounding the playscape, a miniature
replica starting gate, a “selfie” photo station, spring horses, and educational panels designed to teach children about the life of a race horse. The playground area will be available for special events such as children’s birthday parties.
Elsewhere, the historic paddock mutuel building has a new slate roof and rafters, designed to ensure the continued preservation of this historicallysignificant
building, which was built in 1902 and originally used as a saddling shed during inclement weather.
The grandstand also has a new elevator to gives guests with easy and convenient access to the facility’s upper level. The elevator will complement the new clubhouse escalator, which was introduced last season.
For more information about the 2017 meet go to: www.nyra.com/saratoga