n Summer Racing at the Spa
n Admission & Parking
It dates back to the age of Lincoln and the Civil War era. Since 1863, Saratoga Race Course has been the setting for summer racing in this cosmopolitan city that sits at the foothills of the Adirondacks and features the warmth and charm of a bucolic village. Each year, nearly one million visitors pass through the gates of this venerable race track that serves as a gathering spot for fans from all walks of life.
Grandstand admission is $3 and Clubhouse admission is $5. Reserved seating is sold separately. Children ages 12 and under are admitted FREE when accompanied by an adult. Admission gates open weekdays at 11 a.m. and weekends at 10:30 a.m. Trackside parking is $10 and General parking is FREE. Oklahoma Preferred is $5. Handicapped parking is available at Clubhouse and Grandstand entrances.
In 2010, Saratoga will expand its calendar to 40 days – the longest season ever in its serendipitous history that spans 142 years.
On Travers Day, Saturday, August 28, gates open at 7 a.m. Grandstand admission for Travers is $5 and Clubhouse admission is $10. Also on Travers Day, there will be no parking refunds given to those who come to breakfast. Those having the Clubhouse Porch Breakfast must pay Clubhouse admission.
The 2010 summer meet at Saratoga begins on Friday, July 23 and concludes on Labor Day - Monday, September 6. Post time is 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays (Tuesdays are dark) except on Party at the Spa days (Friday, July 30 and Friday, September 3) when first post time is 2:30 p.m. and Travers Day when first post is 11:35 a.m.
On Party at the Spa days (Friday, July 30 and Friday, September 3), gates open at noon.
n The Travers
n Reserved Seats
The racing meet’s showcase event, the $1 million Travers Stakes, will be run for the 141st time on Saturday, August 28, with a special first post time of 11:35 a.m. Alternatively called the “Mid-Summer Derby,” the Travers is one of the oldest and most historic stakes races in North America and the most highly anticipated event of the Saratoga summer season.
Grandstand seats (limited in number) are on sale each morning for that day’s races at the Reserved Seat Sales Office at the Union Avenue Gate beginning at 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. (7 a.m. on Travers Day). Limit four (4) per person; cash only.
The Travers Stakes was first run in 1864 in Saratoga. Its inaugural winner, Kentucky, was owned by one of Saratoga Race Course’s founders and its first president, William R. Travers, for whom the race was named. The most prestigious race of the meet, the Travers Stakes has run all but five years since its inception, and has been run all but three years at Saratoga, when it was moved to Belmont Park because of war-time restrictions on travel. Today, the Travers Stakes attracts the nation’s best threeyear-olds – many of whom have emerged from the Triple Crown series for the start of racing’s second season - in a mile and a quarter competition that promises unparalleled excitement, thrilling drama and is a key factor in determining the sport’s three-year-old champion.
Special thanks to nationally acclaimed artist Celeste Susany for providing the cover art.
Reserved seats pricing is as follows: CLUBHOUSE Mon, Wed, Thurs: Fri, Sat, Sun: GRANDSTAND Mon, Wed, Thurs: Fri, Sat, Sun: TRAVERS DAY (August 28) Clubhouse: Grandstand:
$10 per seat $15 per seat $6 per seat $8 per seat $25 per seat $18 per seat
n Spinner-Free Service Saratoga Race Course features a dedicated “express lane” turnstile at the East Avenue admission gates. This lane is specifically designed for patrons who are willing to forego the day’s giveaway in order to gain expedited admission. No vouchers are issued in this express lane.
n Saratoga Giveaway Day Spinner Policy On giveaway days, fans seeking more than one premium giveaway item will be directed to a multiple admissions booth. This booth is located inside the gates of Saratoga Race Course, adjacent to the Saratoga Silks store (the NYRA store) on the first floor grandstand. Patrons will be allowed to purchase up to an additional five admission coupons at the booth, in addition to the one they received at the entrance. Each additional admission coupon will cost $3 and can be redeemed for one premium giveaway.