Saratoga, local community to celebrate closing weekend at
the Spa
Saratoga Race Course and downtown Saratoga Springs, New York, will mark the
closing days of the 2012 summer racing meet with a Final Stretch festival that
will feature multiple activities and special events beginning Friday through
Labor Day, September 3.
The 2012 racing season will culminate in four days of events, food and
entertainment throughout Saratoga Springs. Beginning with a “Party at the Spa”
and closing with the annual Family Fun Fest, the weekend will include music,
giveaways, family-friendly activities and first-class racing.
“We’d like to invite racing fans and the Capital Region community to a final
weekend of fun as the 2012 meet at Saratoga Race Course draws to a close,” New
York Racing Association (NYRA) President and COO Ellen McClain said. “The 2012
meet has been a truly outstanding 40 days. We look forward to one more exciting
weekend of racing and family fun at Saratoga.”
The final Friday of the racing season will get underway with its traditional
2:30 p.m. (EDT) first post time; gates open at noon.
Fans are invited to stay after the races as the fun continues on-track with
“Party at the Spa,” which takes place at Saratoga hot spot, The Post. The
festive evening will feature a mix of great food, drinks, and live music from
the band Two Tenors of Rock. Shake Shack, El Verano Taqueria, Box Frites and The
Bar at The Post will remain open after hours for track guests to enjoy.
NYRA will also mark the anniversary of Tropical Storms Irene and Lee with a
donation and on-track collection efforts to assist the ongoing recovery efforts
of local communities impacted by the storms.
Track patrons will be invited to make monetary donations to benefit the
Prattsville Relief Fund; Schoharie Area Long Term (SALT) Recovery; Schenectady
County Rebuilding Families; and Middleburgh Village Relief Fund. Donations will
be collected throughout the day at the Clubhouse, Union Avenue and Reserved
Seats entrances and will be split evenly among the four community relief
organizations.
Additionally, NYRA will make a $5,000 donation to assist with rebuilding
efforts during a ceremony in the winner’s circle following the day’s third race,
which will be named “Remembering Irene & Lee — The Recovery Continues.”
The final Saturday of the meet will include two exciting Grade 1 races for
the nation’s top older sprinters and routers, the Forego and the Woodward. The
day’s card will also include the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap for older male
turf horses. NBC will broadcast the races live from Saratoga beginning at 5 p.m.
After the conclusion of the afternoon, fans can make their way downtown for
the start of the two-day Final Stretch Music Festival. Ten bands will provide
free musical entertainment at familiar downtown locations on both Saturday and
Sunday evenings. Music will fill the streets of downtown Saratoga from 7 p.m. to
11 p.m. with a mix of jazz, blues, acoustic, funk and rock.
The final Sunday marks the last premium giveaway of the season, a Saratoga
fleece blanket. The red fleece blanket features the 2012 Saratoga logo and is
free with paid admission, while supplies last.
Saratoga Race Course will present the Times Union Labor Day weekend
barbecue on Sunday and Labor Day.
For $25, fans can enjoy a selection of barbecue favorites, such as
hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salad, dessert and more in the At the Rail
Pavilion. The price includes Clubhouse admission and an official “Post Parade”
program. Reservations are required. For tickets, call 1-888-516-NYRA.
Saratoga will also host activities for children at the annual closing weekend
Family Fun Fest. The excitement on Sunday runs from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the
backyard. Families can enjoy pony rides, caricatures, carnival games, magic
shows, jugglers, giant inflatables and the Leaping Lizards and Rocking Reptiles
exhibit from The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology. All proceeds from
games, pony rides and other select activities benefit Ronald McDonald House
Charities of the Capital Region.
Festivities will again spill over into downtown Saratoga Springs for the
second 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.
The final day of the 144th racing season will get underway with a special
first post time of 12:30 p.m.
The day’s feature race is the Grade 2 Hopeful for two-year-olds, a potential
prelude to the 2013 Triple Crown.
The Times Union Labor Day barbecue will return for its second day in
the At the Rail Pavilion.
Families can also enjoy the second day of the Family Fun Fest from 11 a.m. to
5 p.m., with children’s activities returning to the backyard, including carnival
games, magicians, caricatures and pony rides.
For up-to-date information on all Final Stretch activities, please visit
www.nyra.com/saratogaevents.
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