Author: News

McPeek Looking For Back-To-Back Upsets In Belmont Derby Invitational

Harold Lerner, Nehoc Stables, AWC Stables and Team Stallion Racing Stable's stakes-placed Mendelssohns March will be upset minded in Saturday's Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational, a 10-furlong inner turf test for sophomores at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

Trainer Kenny McPeek won this event last year with 26-1 shot Classic Causeway, who posted a gate-to-wire score over favored Nations Pride and second-choice Stone Age. This year, he returns with the improving Mendelssohns March, who enters from a close runner-up effort to returning rival Webslinger in the nine-furlong Audubon on June 3 at Churchill Downs.

The Mendelssohn colt graduated on debut in February via disqualification traveling one-mile over firm Fair Grounds turf. He made his next two starts on dirt, winning an optional-claimer at Oaklawn in March over sloppy and sealed conditions before finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland. Mendelssohns March returned to grass in May and finished ninth in the Grade 2 American Turf when defeated 4 3/4-lengths by Webslinger.

“He's coming off a really good run. We know it's a tough race, but we think he's going to like the added distance,” McPeek said. “He's acting like he's quite ratable. He started his career really well, 2-for-2. This is an ambitious spot for him, we realize that, but you're not going to get many opportunities to run a mile and a quarter.”

The $110,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase is out of the Galileo mare Unappeased, who is a half-sister to Grade 1-winner Sligo Bay.

“He's a beautiful moving horse,” McPeek said. “I bought him as a yearling and with a Galileo mare, how can you go wrong with that. I really thought he was one of my top 3-year-olds and this is an opportunity to prove himself at a high level.”

McPeek said Mendelssohns March, who will exit the inside post Saturday under Dylan Davis, has trained very well upstate at Saratoga Race Course over the Oklahoma trainer turf, working in company with Walking L Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's promising filly Freydis the Red.

The French-bred daughter of Saxon Warrior will make her stakes debut in Saturday's co-featured Grade 1, $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational.

The 10-furlong inner turf test for sophomore fillies kicks off the Fasig-Tipton Fillies Turf Triple series, which is followed by the 1 3/16-mile Grade 3, $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational on August 4 at Saratoga Race Course and the Grade 3, $350,000 Fasig-Tipton Jockey Club Oaks Invitational on September 16 going 11 furlongs at Belmont at the Big A.

Freydis the Red completed the exacta on three occasions before breaking through last out at sixth asking on May 29 in a nine-furlong maiden special weight over firm Churchill turf. The 4 1/4-length score garnered a career-best 79 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I think she's a filly that's getting ready to move forward and I think she's another one we'd like to try at a mile and a quarter,” McPeek said. “The expectations are high for her. She ran really fast in her last race and if she can replicate that and maybe move a little bit forward off the added distance – obviously black type is important – to get her Grade 1-placed would be a big deal.”

McPeek purchased the chestnut, out of the Shirocco mare Songerie, for $147,403 from the Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale.

“She was a real standout as a yearling,” McPeek said. “She was a little unlucky trying to get her maiden broke last year. But she really put it together in her last race.”

The late-running chestnut will exit post 8 under Junior Alvarado.

McPeek sent out a pair of multiple graded-stakes winning starters for Lucky Seven Stable in Saturday's Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Ellis Park with Rattle N Roll [2nd] and Smile Happy [5th] performing admirably in the nine-furlong route won by West Will Power.

“They both came out of it fine,” McPeek said. “Smile Happy wasn't very cooperative going to the gate. We may try blindfolding him going to the starting gate next time, but he's historically been tough to deal with. Rattle N Roll is a consummate professional.”

Rattle N Roll, a 4-year-old Connect colt, captured the 2021 Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland as a juvenile. He entered the Stephen Foster on a three-race win streak in Grade 3 events, taking the 1 3/16-mile Ben Ali in April at Keeneland, the 1 3/16-mile Pimlico Special in May and the nine-furlong Blame in June at Churchill.

He rallied from seventh in the Stephen Foster to finish a half-length in arrears of the winner, while earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure – his fifth consecutive triple-digit figure.

Smile Happy, a 4-year-old Runhappy colt, made the grade at second asking in the 2021 Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs. He entered the Foster from a sharp score in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Alysheba in May at Churchill Downs, besting multiple Grade 1-winner Art Collector by two lengths with West Will Power in third.

McPeek said both horses will be nominated to the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney, a nine-furlong rest for older horses on August 5 at Saratoga Race Course which offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic in November at Santa Anita Park.

MJM Racing's stakes-placed V V's Dream, a 2-year-old Mitole grey, romped by 6 1/4-lengths in her May debut sprinting five furlongs at Churchill Downs. She followed last out with a runner-up effort to Brightwork in the six-furlong Debutante on Sunday at Ellis Park.

McPeek said he wants to stretch out the $190,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase.

“She's a filly that needs longer than that,” McPeek said. “She has a huge future. We'll probably sit on her until they run a mile and a sixteenth.”

Back Racing, Run for LaRoses and Magdalena Racing's Call the Cavalryovercame a bobbled start to graduate on debut in a five-furlong maiden special weight here on June 4.

McPeek said Call the Cavalry will target the Grade 3, $175,000 Sanford, a six-furlong main track sprint for juveniles on July 15 at Saratoga.

The Florida-bred Khozan colt is out of the Songandaprayer mare Song and Delight, who is a half-sister to multiple graded-stakes winner Delightful Kiss and graded-stakes winner Delightful Mary.

The post McPeek Looking For Back-To-Back Upsets In Belmont Derby Invitational appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Galileo’s TDN Rising Star Espionage Back With A Win In The Lenebane

Up markedly in trip and racing for the first time since October, TDN Rising Star Espionage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) made it a winning return in Roscommon's Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Lenebane S. on Tuesday evening. Tracking the leading duo throughout the early stages with Ryan Moore navigating the track for the first time, Ballydoyle's 11-10 favourite took time to pick up but after gaining the advantage inside the final furlong asserted for a 1 1/2-length success from Young Ireland (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). “He had very good form as a two-year-old, but it's taken a while to get him back and I was delighted with him today,” Moore said. “It was a nice performance and I think he's a quality colt who stays well. He got that mile and three quarters well and will be very comfortable up to fourteen.”

Stable representative Chris Armstrong added, “We'll probably look at something like the [G2 Great] Voltigeur from here. He's one to look forward to. It was a good renewal of this race. Over the last few years three-year-olds maybe didn't have the strongest record and it is tough for a three-year-old coming here against some solid older horses.”

The dam Even Song (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who captured the G2 Ribblesdale S., also has the unraced 2-year-old filly Maenad (Ire) by Galileo and a yearling daughter of Wootton Bassett (GB). She is a half to Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), who was successful in the G1 St Leger and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. as well as the G2 Park Hill S. and G3 Lillie Langtry Fillies S. The family includes Red Stars (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}), whose two listed wins included the 2016 renewal of his race and who is alongside her relative two of three 3-year-olds to beat their elders in this in the last 10 runnings.

IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF LENEBANE S.-Listed, €40,000, Roscommon, 7-4, 3yo/up, 11f 154yT, 2:13.45, g/y.
1–ESPIONAGE (IRE), 124, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Even Song (Ire) (GSW-Eng, $181,130), by Mastercraftsman (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Westerberg,Mrs J Magnier,M Tabor,D Smith; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €24,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 4-2-2-0, $94,997.
2–Young Ireland (Ire), 124, c, 3, New Approach (Ire)–Ard Fheis (Ire), by Lil's Boy. O-Mrs J S Bolger; B/T-J S Bolger (IRE). €8,000.
3–Jackfinbar (Fr), 136, h, 8, Whipper–Anna Simona (Ger), by Slip Anchor (GB). (€41,000 Ylg '16 AROYRG). O-Haven't A Pot Partnership; B-Larissa Kneip & Sandrine Grevet (FR); T-Willie Mullins. €4,000.
Margins: 1HF, HF, SHD. Odds: 1.10, 22.00, 18.00.
Also Ran: Serious Challenge (Ire), Kingswood (GB), Angels Wrath (Ire), Sionnach Eile (Ire), Imaginarium (Ire), Vega Magnifico (Ire). Scratched: Harbour Wind (Ire).

The post Galileo’s TDN Rising Star Espionage Back With A Win In The Lenebane appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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‘My Aim Is To Fill That Wall!’ – Ylang Ylang’s Breeder Hails Picture-Perfect Filly

Craig Bennett of Merry Fox Stud, joint-breeder of arguably the most exciting juvenile filly in training Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), recalls how a visit to Coolmore Stud a number of years back made a lasting impression. 

Not for the sheer expanse of the operation, or the might of the stallions the world-renowned County Tipperary stud could offer potential breeders, but for how Coolmore marks its successes.

“When I went to Coolmore a couple of years ago, I can remember looking out at one of the paddocks where the stallions were,” Bennett started. 

“They had plaques outside the barns with the names of every black-type winner that the stallion had produced. When you got to the likes of Sadler's Wells and Galileo (Ire), the plaques were never-ending. 

“Every time we produce a listed winner or better now, I get a plaque made here and it goes up on the wall. My aim is to fill that wall!

“The first one for this year arrived this morning and that was Voodoo Queen (GB) (Frankel {GB}). So there's a pictorial representation of what we are trying to achieve here.”

Voodoo Queen carried the familiar yellow and orange silks of Merry Fox Stud to victory in a listed event at Pontefract last month. The victory was made all the more significant for the fact that she is a homebred out of the brilliant Cursory Glance (Distorted Humour), who gave Bennett, a qualified accountant, one of his greatest days in the sport when landing the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at the Curragh in 2014. 

Fitting that the Curragh, a track Bennett describes as being a lucky place for him down through the years, played host to just about the most exciting debut performance that has been posted either side of the Irish Sea this season when Ylang Ylang justified the hype when scoring for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners on Irish Derby Weekend. 

Craig Bennett | Tattersalls

“She looks very exciting, doesn't she? It's really great to see. We had been hearing that Aidan liked her but I thought she did it very nicely. It's not easy to make all on your debut and, to quicken away the way that she did, she looks very exciting. I'm hoping that she will be the second Moyglare winner that we have bred. 

“I thought Aidan's comment was quite telling after her debut. He said that she had been working with some of their very good colts and that she'd been doing things nicely. You have to be half decent to be able to do that.”

Ylang Ylang was bred in partnership with Newsells Park Stud and is the first foal out of Shambolic (Ire) (Shamardal), who Bennett picked up through his advisor Gary Hadden at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2019 for 800,000gns. 

The sale of Shambolic's first foal Ylang Ylang will go down as a memorable one for the Merry Fox Stud and Newsells Park Stud axis as it kick-started what proved to be an emotional afternoon when selling for 1.5 million gns to MV Magnier and White Birch Farm. 

Bennett said, “We started buying mares with Newsells Park Stud around 2019 and Shambolic was the second mare that we bought in partnership together. We paid 800,000gns for her at the December Mares Sale at Tattersalls but I think Juddmonte were the underbidders. I quite like it when you have such a quality outfit as Juddmonte who also wanted the mare. Shambolic is by Shamardal and I can remember when we were going in to bid on her, it was Matt Coleman who commented that 'they aren't making any more of them!' Therefore, you are not going to get the chance to buy many more Shamardal mares with the pedigree that Shambolic had.

“Ylang Ylang is the first foal and, if I wasn't in partnership with Newsells, I would have been 99 per cent certain to have raced the filly myself. But the modus operandi with Newsells is to sell the first progeny out of every mare. Obviously Graham [Smith-Bernal] has now bought Newsells and I get on great with him and have a great relationship with him and we decided to let Ylang Ylang go through the ring to see what she fetched. If we weren't happy with what she was selling for, the plan was to buy her back, but we didn't have to do that as her price flew up to 1.5 million gns. We still have Shambolic, and she's a very young mare, so hopefully this is just the start.”

He added, “We had an incredible Book 1. We had three in the sale–we kept one, Ylang Ylang made 1.5million gns and then we sold a Dubawi (Ire) half-brother to Acer Alley (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) for 1.6 million gns. We'd never sold a horse through the ring for more than a million and then we had two in the one day. I've always said that breeding and selling gives me a thrill for about 24 hours when you do it well but racing them gives you a thrill that keeps you going all year round. 

“Take for example Voodoo Queen winning at Pontefract, it's just so exciting breeding a filly like that. Now, Ylang Ylang might be a bit different because it looks as though she might go on to operate at the very top level. The dam is still very young and it gives us every opportunity to really culture and develop that family now. It's just very exciting and it's great when people at Coolmore want to buy your horses because they are great judges and are great for the game. When they pay that sort of money for one, you'd have to be very disappointed if she wasn't any good.”

Ylang Ylang looked better than just good at the Curragh and is already sitting pretty at the head of the ante-post markets for next year's 1,000 Guineas and Oaks. A lot of water has to pass under the bridge between now and then but one thing is for certain, Bennett has an awful lot to look forward to with Shambolic, who looks set to play a pivotal part of his 25-strong broodmare band in the years to come.

“Shambolic has a Kingman (GB) yearling colt and has a filly foal by Siyouni (Fr) on the ground. She's back in foal to Frankel (GB) so it's exciting stuff. Graham wants to breed to the best, I want to breed to the best, and I think we can help each other. Newsells are a commercial animal and I am an owner-breeder so the mixture between the two can work well.

“We started in 2006 with a very clear plan which was to buy quality broodmares. I came at it with the angle that a quality broodmare would retain value and if you could get it to win a stakes race you could increase their value. We are still breeding from the families that we started with and have some very good broodmares, there's no question about that. I think it's important to ask the right questions when you are doing the matings, and that's what Gary [Hadden] and I do, because then you will get the right answers more often than not.”

Bennett added, “You need two things to succeed in this game. You've got to have time and you need deep pockets. I got into a nice position in that I sold a business that I had a share of back in 2006 and I have been able to take it from there. I am absolutely delighted to have bred four Group 1 winners which, for a small stud, is a wonderful achievement. Hopefully Ylang Ylang will make that five.

“I don't have a farm. The stud is completely virtual. We send the mares to wherever the stallions are based around October or November every year and we use Ballylinch Stud in Ireland, Fittocks Stud in England and Haras du Buff in France. That's the model. I'm not a horseman, I'm an accountant by trade and I can analyse pedigrees and love doing that. But the one thing I have learned in life is, don't pretend you are good at something if you know you are not. You can kid yourself that you know about conformation but, when I sit down and talk to Bill [Dwan] and Gary, it's bloody obvious that I don't know what I am talking about so you need to surround yourself with good people. If you don't, you will soon part with your money.”

Bennett's philosophy is a simple one; breed top-notch racehorses. In a relatively short space of time and with the help of his close-knit team, Merry Fox Stud has become synonymous on and off the track for its association with classy blue bloods and the best may yet be to come. 

“Last year was incredible, we had four stakes-winning homebred fillies. If we could do that every year it would be fantastic. Voodoo Queen has hit the board already this season so we are up and running with one. Hopefully there will be more to come and, with a bit of luck, Ylang Ylang will be the next.”

If things continue apace, Bennett may need to find some more wall space. 

 

The post ‘My Aim Is To Fill That Wall!’ – Ylang Ylang’s Breeder Hails Picture-Perfect Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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NYRA Unveils Schedule Of Events For Saratoga Meet

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the lineup of new and returning attractions, entertainment and events for the 2023 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Highlighted by the 154th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 26 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Aug. 5, the 2023 summer meet will open on Thursday, July 13 and continue through Monday, Sept. 4.

Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

Admission gates will open for live racing at 11 a.m. for all but Travers Day when gates will open at 7 a.m.

With exceptions for Whitney and Travers Days and throughout Closing Weekend, first post time is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

The 2023 summer meet will feature the following events lineup:

OPENING WEEKEND:

Thursday, July 13 to Sunday, July 16

Opening Weekend will feature the traditional opening day graded stakes, the Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies, on Thursday, July 13 and the first Grade 1 of the season, the Diana, on Saturday, July 15. The four-day annual celebration will be highlighted by live musical entertainment and a performance by the Islip Horsemen's Association Drill Team on Saturday.

TASTE NY PAVILION:

Every Thursday to Sunday, beginning July 13

New York-made food and beverages will be available for sample and purchase at the Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, where fans can enjoy New York craft beer, cider, wine, spirits, cheese, chocolate and gelato (must be 21 and over to sample and purchase alcoholic beverages). This year marks a decade since the launch of the Taste NY program. In honor of the anniversary, NYRA will be expanding its offerings to include two dozen featured products, from Long Island to the Adirondacks and the Capital Region to Western New York, as a showcase of the state's robust food and beverage industry.

SARATOGA BREAKFAST AND BREEDING FARM TOUR, PRESENTED BY CDTA:

Every Wednesday to Friday, beginning July 14

NYRA is expanding its popular Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm program which was first introduced in 2022. This summer, the program will be offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays throughout the meet. It will feature two active thoroughbred breeding farms, and accommodate up to 52 guests each day beginning Friday, July 14 and concluding on Friday, Sept. 1.

Fans will enjoy a buffet breakfast during morning training at Saratoga Race Course before boarding a CDTA trolley to Song Hill Thoroughbreds on Wednesdays or Old Tavern Farm on Thursdays and Fridays, where they will participate in a 60- to 90-minute guided walking tour. Admission to the races in the afternoon is included in the package. Tickets, which are $85 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com. Inventory is limited.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE RAIL OF THE 1863 CLUB:

Every Sunday beginning July 16

Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space at the 1863 Club. Tickets start at $100 and include admission, a table seat for the day, brunch buffet, soft drinks, two mimosa or Bloody Mary drink tickets per person, Post Parade program book, tax and gratuity. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or online at Ticketmaster.com.

BERKSHIRE BANK FAMILY SUNDAYS:

Every Sunday beginning July 16

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays will feature a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities each Sunday inside the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located near Gate A at the Top of the Stretch. New this year, each week will feature a different theme, including Beach Day, Sci-Fi Day, Carnival Day and Superhero Day.

SARATOGA LOW ROLLER CONTEST:

Every Sunday and Thursday beginning July 16

Horseplayers can enjoy the Saratoga Low Roller Contest held exclusively on-track every Thursday and Sunday at Saratoga Race Course. Fans can pre-register on contest days outside the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar. There is a $40 buy-in, of which $30 will go to the player's bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. The winner will receive a Saratoga Low Roller championship T-shirt in addition to the cash prize.

GIVEAWAY #1: COOLER JUG PRESENTED BY NYRA BETS:

Friday, July 21

The first giveaway of the season is a Saratoga branded, 64-ounce, red and white cooler jug, presented by NYRA Bets. The premium giveaway is free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway. Fans must present a coupon at designated locations on track to redeem the item.

HANDICAPPING SEMINAR AND MEET-AND-GREET:

Every Sunday beginning July 23

Enjoy your Sunday at the races in the Spa's newest hospitality venue, the climate-controlled Paddock Suite, learning betting strategies and tips from expert handicappers. Guests will also be treated to a meet-and-greet with Saratoga Race Course's new track announcer Frank Mirahmadi, along with a rotating cast of on-track talent, personalities and VIPs. Tickets can be purchased through Fevo.

FIRST RESPONDERS DAY:

Thursday, July 27

Saratoga Race Course will pay tribute to first responders with free admission (proper ID required). The afternoon will include musical performances by both the New York State Police Pipes & Drums and The New York City Fire Department Emerald Society Pipes & Drums. While each band has performed at Saratoga, the two have never appeared together on the same day. Activities will also include demonstrations by several first responder agencies, fire truck and vintage police car displays and more.

PERMANENTLY DISABLED JOCKEYS' FUND AWARENESS DAY:

Saturday, July 29

Joining racetracks across the country, Saratoga Race Course will host autograph signings and photo opportunities at the Jockey Silks Porch as part of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund (PDJF) Day Across America. Suggested donations will benefit the PDJF. Fans will also have an opportunity to enjoy a first of its kind activity at Saratoga Race Course, to be announced at a later date.

WHITNEY DAY: Special first post time of 12:35 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 5

One of Saratoga's most celebrated days of the season will culminate in the 96th renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney which offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic. Whitney Day will also feature the Grade 1, $500,000 Test and Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational.

Saratoga Race Course will honor local breast cancer survivors while supporting To Life!, a Capital Region nonprofit organization which provides personalized breast cancer education and support services. Complimentary samples of Chandon Garden Spritz will also be available to all fans 21 and older, with valid ID, while supplies last, courtesy of Moët Hennessy.

GIVEAWAY #2: PERFORMANCE T-SHIRT PRESENTED BY FOX SPORTS:

Friday, Aug. 11

Fans can showcase their enthusiasm for Saratoga Race Course with the second giveaway of the season: a red, performance T-shirt, emblazoned with the Saratoga, NYRA Bets and FOX Sports logos. The 100% polyester moisture-wicking material will help Saratoga devotees stay cool all season long. The premium giveaway is free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway. Fans must present a coupon at designated locations on track to redeem the item.

ADIRONDACK DAY:

Wednesday, Aug. 16

A previous special event will make its return to Saratoga when the attractions of the Adirondacks fill the Taste NY Pavilion. Presented by the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, the afternoon will include interactive exhibits highlighting the seven New York counties that comprise the Adirondacks, supplemented by craft beverage tastings, cheese samples, apples, reenactors, live music and more.

NEW YORK THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE DAY:

Thursday, Aug. 17

NYRA will partner with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) in hosting the third annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day. The day will pay tribute to an array of organizations involved in finding new homes and careers for retired racehorses. The featured race will be the Rick Violette Stakes, named for the late NYTHA President who was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

STEWART'S SHOPS DAY AT THE RACES:

Thursday, Aug. 17

Stewart's Shops will celebrate its longstanding partnership with Saratoga Race Course by providing free ice cream for horse racing fans, while supplies last. Fans can stop by more than 100 participating Stewart's Shops locations in the greater Capital Region to purchase their Saratoga Race Course season pass, now through Opening Weekend, or NYRA Bets Gift Cards, which are preloaded with $50 to bet online with NYRA Bets, now through September 3. Season passes are currently available for $75 exclusively at Stewart's Shops.

GIVEAWAY #3: BUCKET HAT:

Friday, Aug. 18

The third giveaway of the season is a 100% cotton white bucket hat featuring the traditional red Saratoga logo. The premium giveaway is free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway. Fans must present a coupon at designated locations on track to redeem the item.

LUSTGARTEN FOUNDATION DAY:

Saturday, Aug. 19

Saratoga Race Course will honor the legacy of longtime NYRA trainer Dominic Galluscio with a day to benefit the Lustgarten Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance scientific and medical research related to pancreatic cancer. Many of the sport's most popular trainers will sign autographs for fans with suggested donations to benefit the Lustgarten Foundation in Galluscio's memory.

Lustgarten Day also coincides with the meet's premier race for 3-year-old fillies, the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama, presented by Keeneland Sales.

MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY:

Thursday, Aug. 24

NYRA will pay tribute to active military members and veterans in appreciation of their sacrifice and service to our nation. Saratoga Race Course will host the West Point Parachute Team and Color Guard. All veterans and active-duty military will be honored with a special ceremony in the Winner's Circle and receive free admission with military ID.

TRAVERS DAY: Gates open at 7 a.m.; Special first post time of 11:40 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 26

The 154th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers is the centerpiece of a blockbuster card that will include the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer; the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego; the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap; and the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.

NEW YORK SHOWCASE DAY:

Sunday, Aug. 27

New York-breds take center stage in a day featuring six stakes worth a combined $1.25 million and headlined by the $250,000 Albany. Also featured are five $200,000 stakes including the Fleet Indian; the West Point Handicap presented by Trustco Bank; the Yaddo Handicap; the Funny Cide presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital; and the Seeking the Ante.

GIVEAWAY #4: TOTE BAG PRESENTED BY SARATOGA CASINO HOTEL:

Friday, Sept. 1

The final giveaway of the season is a red and white polyester Saratoga tote bag, presented by Saratoga Casino Hotel. The premium giveaway is free with paid admission, while supplies last. Season ticket and season pass holders are not guaranteed a giveaway. Fans must present a coupon at designated locations on track to redeem the item.

FAN APPRECIATION WEEK:

Wednesday, Aug. 30 to Monday, Sept. 4

NYRA will thank its fans with special offers on tickets, food and beverage, and hospitality during the final week of the season at Saratoga Race Course.

CLOSING WEEKEND: Special first post time of 12:40 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept. 4

Closing Weekend will feature a pair of Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” events on Saturday, Sept. 2, led by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup for an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic. The 2023 summer meet will come to a close on Labor Day with the traditional final feature race, the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds, which affords racing fans a preview of potential standouts in next year's Triple Crown series and Travers.

Season-long daily events and activities include:

BREAKFAST AT SARATOGA, DRIVEN BY CDTA:

Breakfast at Saratoga welcomes guests to enjoy a morning buffet at The Porch with a view of the thoroughbreds training on the main track. Breakfast is available every live racing day from 7 to 9:30 a.m., excluding Travers Day and Labor Day.

Fans can also go behind the scenes with a free, guided backstretch tram tour, driven by CDTA. Tram tours run from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and depart from the clubhouse entrance approximately every 15 minutes. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are 45 minutes in length. Tours are available every live racing day with the exception of Travers Day and Labor Day.

BERKSHIRE BANK FAMILY ZONE:

Fans will enjoy 40 days of the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, an interactive play area for children located near Gate A, which will be supplemented by Berkshire Bank Family Sundays.

PURDY'S SUMMER CONCERT STAGE:

The Purdy's Summer Concert Stage will host live musical performances each afternoon of the season from popular local and regional bands, including The Garland Nelson Trio, The Hawthornes, ILL Funk, The Lustre Kings and Donna Tritico Band, among many others. This year's summer music stage is presented by Purdy's Discount Wine & Liquor in Saratoga Springs.

For additional information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

All events and activities are subject to change at the discretion of NYRA.

The post NYRA Unveils Schedule Of Events For Saratoga Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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