What’s Happening This Week at the Track: August 19 – 24

Celebrate Italian culture and traditions of the Bel Paes during Italian-American Heritage Day on Wednesday at the track. The day-long festivities will feature Italian music, dance, entertainment, crafts and food from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the Saratoga Pavilion. Italian singer, Brian DiGuiseppe, will kick off the day by performing the National Anthem at 11:30 AM. Children from the Italian American Community Center Ballerina will perform a traditional Italian folk dance trackside after the third race. The day’s eighth race will be named “Buon Giorno: Italian-American Day” in honor of the celebration. Italian tenor Angelo Mazzone, Jr., will perform the classic opera song “O Sole Mio” following the race.

In addition to music and dance performances, there will also be the opportunity to make your own Venetian mask! There will also be interactive exhibits, Italian food for purchase and drink specials throughout the track.

Grab your Saratoga umbrella, free with paid admission, on Wednesday!

Support Dyer-Phelps, the oldest African American ministry in Saratoga Springs, and meet jockey Kendrick Cartouche for a donation to benefit the organization at 1:15 PM.

All Saratoga season pass and season-long ticket holders will receive a 15% discount at the NYRA store.

Taste NY: Cider, Wine & Spirits offers track patrons the opportunity to sample a variety of cider, wine and spirits from numerous New York distilleries and wineries. The tasting will be held from noon to 5:00 PM in the Saratoga Pavilion.

The Backstretch Education Fund will be at the Booth on Thursday. The non-profit organization provides learning opportunities to backstretch workers at New York racetracks through vocational training and development programs.

NYRA broadcast analyst and nationally recognized racing personality Andy Serling will host the fifth in series of weekly live broadcasts on ESPN Radio 104.5 “The Team” at The Parting Glass from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Serling will offer weekly tips, discuss behind the scenes info about the track and interact with special guests including famous trainers and jockeys, notable industry figures and celebrity racing fans. The broadcast is free and open to the public.

Saratoga Race Course will welcome the return of the nationally syndicated talk radio show “Free Beer and Hot Wings” for a live broadcast from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM next to the Dunkin’ Donuts concession stand. The show is broadcast locally on Capital Region rock station Q 103 FM.

Taste NY: Craft Beer offers track goers the opportunity to sample numerous craft beers produced by New York State breweries. The tasting will be held each Friday in the Saratoga Pavilion from noon to 5:00 PM. Try five samples for $5!

Saratoga Bridges, which works with over 850 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families will be featured at the Booth on Friday. Saratoga Bridges offers a full range of programs which enables disabled individuals to be employed, socialize and recreate while leading productive lives. The organization also offers person-centered day and residential programs, transportation opportunities and family support services.

The day’s feature race is for the nation’s top three-year-old fillies — the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama at the classic distance of a mile and a quarter.

Dress to impress! The best dressed man and woman will be awarded as part of Fashion Saturdays at the track. A number of local spas and retailers will also be highlighted throughout the day.

NYRA will honor the legacy of trainer Dominic Galluscio with a day to benefit The Lustgarten Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the scientific and medical research related to the diagnoses, treatment, cure and prevention of pancreatic cancer. Numerous trainers will participate in an autograph session in the front of the padding mautual bays with a $10 donation to benefit The Lustgarten Foundation from 11:15 AM to 12:15 AM. The day will be highlighted on-track with decorative purple bunting throughout the venue.

Interested in purchasing a racehorse? Register for the New Owners Luncheon which will provide a comprehensive introduction and overview of thoroughbred ownership. The day includes lunch, a backstretch tour, winner’s circle presentation and a gift bag. Registration fee is $100.

Taste NY: Food & Artisans is a lively on-track market of nearly 20 food and artisan vendors featuring products made in New York State. The market is held from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM in the Saratoga Pavilion.

Travers 1864 Restaurant Week kicks off on Sunday! From Sunday, August 23 to Thursday, August 27, diners will have the opportunity to indulge in a three-course meal at participating restaurants for the prix-fixe cost of $18.64, the year of the inaugural running of the Travers, the nation’s oldest major stakes race for three-year-olds.

Families will have the opportunity to participate in a wide array of games, attractions and educational activities as part of Berkshire Bank Family Mondays. In addition to family friendly festivities, each week, an organization is able to fundraise. This week’s featured organization is Stevens Elementary School, part of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District.

The Community Outreach Booth will host Pi Beta Phi Sorority’s philanthropic effort, Read>Lead>Achieve. The goal is to inspire a lifelong love of reading that can unlock true potential creating a more literate and productive society.

As we head into the days before the Travers, it’s important to note that all tickets, including general admission for Travers Day, have officially sold out.