Saratoga Race Course has three main “premium” restaurants where seats must be reserved and dress code policies are enforced. Some seats at these restaurants offer excellent views of the track. This year, seats at The Turf Terrace, The Club Terrace and The Porch not only cost more, but reservations must also be paid in advance.
The Times Union featured a good breakdown of the price hikes between 2014 and 2015:
The Turf Terrace 2015 Seating
Weekday (M, W-F): $10
Weekend: $15
Whitney and Travers Days: $35
Compare to 2014: $7.50 daily and $20 on Travers Day
The Club Terrace 2015 Seating
Weekday (M, W-F): $5
Weekend: $8
Whitney and Travers Days: $20
Compare to 2014: $3.50 daily and $16 on Travers Day
The Porch 2015 Seating
Weekday (M, W-F): $8
Weekend: $10
Whitney and Travers Days: $25
Compare to 2014: $5 daily and $18 on Travers Day
It’s also important to note that these prices are for seats only and do not include admission, minimum dining requirement or gratuity.
In the past, there was a flat rate for these seats, with the exception of one day of the meet, the ever popular Travers Day. You’ll notice now that weekends also have a separate price point, along with Whitney Day being added to Travers as a “premium” price day. This follows along the same trend of other pricing structure changes this year for reserved seats at Saratoga Race Course.
NYRA apparently realized seating at these restaurants was a bit under market value, and they answered by raising rates, particularly for high-demand days.
NYRA spokesman John Durso Jr. was quoted by The TU, “There have been some price adjustments to some of our most popular hospitality inventory, which includes our premium restaurants. A seat in one of our premium restaurants is no different than a reserved seat anywhere throughout the facility.”
It seems they read the market right. With a combined seating capacity of 1600 people, many dates this season are already sold out. According to NYRA’s dining page, opening weekend is already sold out, along with every Saturday in August, with more expected to follow.
The price hikes aren’t slowing down sales, so if you want one of these seats, we suggest you don’t delay in making your reservations (and paying in advance this year). Call 888-516-NYRA (6972) between 9:30 am – 5:00 pm daily to make dining reservations.
Have you dined at The Turf Terrace, The Club Terrace or The Porch in the past? Do these increased seating prices and advance payment impact your decision to reserve a seat at one of the track’s premium restaurants? Comment below!
Please note: If you’re accustomed to enjoying breakfast at the track, you can check this year’s prices for breakfast on The Porch here.
Sources:
https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/information/dining/
Learn more about the 2015 racing season at Saratoga Race Course
I am very disappointed this year in the process of reservations for the restaurants at Saratoga. I have been coming the weekend of the Whitney for the past 10 years and sent my request in last February by email and still am unable to secure reservations at the Turf Restaurant for Saturday, August 8th. I was given reservations on Sunday and Monday, but not Saturday. I continue to call and still no assistance or concern for my request.