Rachel Alexandra, giveaways highlight Saratoga’s Final
Stretch
The “Rachel Alexandra Show” will anchor an unprecedented series of special
events and activities to mark the concluding days of the 141st meet at Saratoga
Race Course.
The highlight of the Final Stretch activities at Saratoga will be the
remarkable three-year-old filly’s run for the record books as she seeks to
become the first female to beat older males in the 56th running of the $750,000
Woodward S. (G1) on Saturday. With gates at the historic racetrack opening early
at 7 a.m. (EDT), the first 25,000 fans will receive a commemorative Rachel
Alexandra button, with paid admission, in recognition of her attempt to once
again make
history, this time in the 1 1/8-mile race against older males.
In addition to Rachel Alexandra’s potential history-making run, the elongated
Labor Day week will include Thousand Dollar Thursday; Friday’s inaugural College
Day; the traditional Final Stretch Music Festival, Family Fun Fest, Labor Day
Barbeque and Fan Appreciation Day; in addition to a special ceremony on Sunday
to honor Commentator (Distorted Humor) on the occasion of his retirement from
racing.
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will begin the long Labor Day weekend
on Thursday by awarding 15 pari-mutuel
wagering vouchers worth $1,000 each to fans who can use them through the final
day of the meet, Monday. Tickets will be distributed at the admissions booths of
Saratoga when gates open at 11 a.m.. Beginning at 1 p.m., three tickets will be
drawn every 15 minutes until $15,000 in vouchers is given away. The vouchers
must be utilized on track and expire on Labor Day.
College students will have the opportunity to win a $1,000 scholarship from
NYRA after each race as Saratoga welcomes them back with the first ever College Day on Friday. All students will receive free
grandstand admission with a valid college ID. Beginning at noon, students may
enter to win the scholarships and many other prizes, including iPods, iTunes
gift cards, a digital camera, $200 airline gift card, a DVD player, and gift
cards to Target and Dunkin’ Donuts at the Big Red Spring. The first 1,000
students to register will receive a commemorative College Day T-shirt, white
with the phrase, “My favorite course…Saratoga Race Course” and corresponding
artwork.
SUNY Cobleskill and the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program
(RTIP) are partnering with NYRA to double and triple the $1,000 scholarships,
respectively, for students pursuing equine related course work in their
innovative programs.
On Sunday, NYRA will pay tribute to the recently retired Commentator at
Saratoga. The 5TH race, an overnight stakes race for New York-bred
three-year-olds and up, will be renamed “The Commentator.” The eight-year-old
will appear in the paddock before the race and then head to the main track.
After parading for fans in front of the stands, Commentator, wearing a No. 1
saddlecloth, will be led into the winner’s circle to enjoy an edible key to the
city in his favorite flavor — mint.
The chestnut gelding, trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, retired in August
after falling short in his bid to become just the third horse in history to win
the Whitney H. (G1) three times. NYRA President Charlie Hayward will present
Zito and the owner Farmers with framed commemorative photo collages of Commentator. A
highlight video of Commentator’s career will be shown on monitors throughout the
racetrack.
The final two days of the meet will be marked by a host of activities for
children at the Family Fun Fest. Families can enjoy pony rides, caricatures,
clowns, magicians, jugglers, face painting, spin art and giant inflatables. The
excitement will take place on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the backyard.
All proceeds from games, pony rides and other select activities will benefit
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.
The final Sunday of the meet marks the last premium giveaway of the season, a
Saratoga ski cap — ideal for the ensuing winter months. The stylish red knit
cap features the traditional Saratoga logo and is free with paid admission,
while supplies last.
Festivities will again spill over into downtown Saratoga Springs for the
second and final night of the Final Stretch Music Festival, a free event from 7
p.m. to 11 p.m. with live musical entertainment at several downtown locations.
All fans will receive free admission to both the Clubhouse and grandstand on
Monday, Saratoga’s final day of the 2009 racing meet, Fan Appreciation Day. As
horseracing fans prepare for the final call to the post, Saratoga will host a
traditional Labor Day barbeque to bring the summer racing season to a close in
true American style. For $20 ($14 for kids ages 3-12), fans can enjoy a
selection of barbeque favorites, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salad,
dessert and more at the At the Rail and Paddock Pavilions. The price includes
an official “Post Parade” program
For tickets to the Labor Day barbecue, call 518-584-6200, ext. 4012 or 4476.
Families can also enjoy day two of the Family Fun Fest from 11 a.m. to 5
p.m., with children’s activities returning to the backyard.
The traditional final feature race, the 105th running of the $300,000 Hopeful
S. (G1) for two-year-olds, will afford racing fans a preview at potential
standouts in next year’s Kentucky Derby (G1).
For up-to-date information on all Final Stretch activities, please visit
www.nyra.com/saratogaevents.