New York Racing Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

Simulcast Impasse Means No Kentucky Downs Wagering For NYRA And NYRA Bets Customers

Kentucky Downs has reached an agreement with all the major simulcast outlets and account-wagering platforms to take bets on the six-date all-turf meet except the New York Racing Association and its affiliated online-arm NYRA Bets as well as some of the tracks and outlets they represent in the simulcasting market.

Kentucky Downs, located in Franklin, Ky., opens this Sunday and continues through Labor Day Monday and Sept. 8, 9, 11 and 12.

The lack of a signed contract means that horseplayers at NYRA's three tracks as well as NYRA Bets account-holders will not be able to place wagers on Kentucky Downs. (New York state's regional OTB networks are not impacted.)

Kentucky Downs is the host track for inter-track and whole-card wagering in Kentucky during its live race meet. As a result of the impasse, horseplayers betting on-site at any of the Kentucky tracks likewise will not be able to wager on the last two days of Saratoga's meet, Sunday and Monday. Online betting platforms such as TVG, TwinSpires and Xpressbet are not affected.

“We are disappointed and saddened by NYRA's decision but also understand and accept it,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' Vice President for Racing. “We want to let horseplayers know in advance so they aren't caught off-guard. We are confident that New York horseplayers will find alternative ways to wager on Kentucky Downs and look forward to resolving this issue at some point with NYRA.”

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Saratoga’s 1863 Club Available for Off-Season Events

The 1863 Club at Saratoga Race Course will be available for private events during the racing off-season beginning after Labor Day and through June 2022. The three-story hospitality building is located on the Clubhouse turn and first opened in 2019.

“We have received tremendous feedback from those who have enjoyed a day at the 1863 Club during the Saratoga racing season and are excited to provide even more guests with the opportunity to experience this unique space year-round,” said NYRA Vice President of Sales and Hospitality Kevin Quinn. “The 1863 Club, with its sweeping views of Saratoga Race Course, is ideally suited to host events of all shapes and sizes during the off-season.”

Mazzone Hospitality will oversee catering operations at the venue.

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NYRA Hosts Fan Appreciation Week At Saratoga

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will thank its fans with a series of special events, giveaways and offers during the final week of the 2021 season at Saratoga Race Course.

Racing will resume Wednesday, Sept. 1 through Labor Day, Monday, September 6 at Saratoga Race Course. Labor Day weekend will offer a total of seven graded stakes, including the Spa debut of the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Saturday, Sept. 4. Sunday and Monday will feature a special first post time of 12:35 p.m.

Saratoga premium giveaway sale on Wednesday, Sept. 1

Fans will have the opportunity to secure a favorite track giveaway from yesteryear during a premium giveaway sale at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, Sept. 1 beginning at 11 a.m. near the Clubhouse exchange across from the News 10 Pavilion.

A selection of Saratoga giveaways from previous years as well as from earlier this summer will be available for purchase, including such memorable items as the Angel Cordero, Jr. bobblehead; 2015 Saratoga cooler bag and long sleeve tee; 2017 Saratoga wall clock, as well as a selection of Saratoga umbrellas, t-shirts, beach towels, hats and many more collectables from the past decade.

Vintage and current items will be available for $10 and less, while supplies last. Cash only accepted. All sales are final.

Special ticket offers and drink specials all week long, including buy-one, get-one reserved seats and tables; and Labor Day BBQ at The Rail at the 1863 Club

Fans will enjoy Buy One, Get One Free offers on reserved seats in The Cutwater Stretch and Grandstand, and reserved tables in the Fourstardave Sports Bar and Miller Lite Picnic Paddock all week long.

Reserved tables, including buffet and soft drinks, are also available for $85 per person throughout the week ($100 on Saturday) in The Rail at the 1863 Club, which will serve up a special Labor Day-inspired BBQ menu all week long featuring such classics as smoked brisket; pulled pork; candied sweet potatoes and cornbread. The menu on Sunday will offer brunch-style fare.

Fans will also enjoy special savings during the final week of Cutwater Spirits' ready-to-drink cocktails and Babe Rosé Wine. The beverages will be available for only $10 at The Cutwater Stretch, Cutwater Gazebo and all on-track restaurants.

For more information, visit NYRA.com/FanWeek.

Ticket giveaways on Thursday, Sept. 2

Pending approval by the New York State Gaming Commission, fans will have the opportunity to enter-to-win tickets to numerous Capital Region events and attractions.

Prizes include tickets to the Zac Brown Band concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Oct. 3; NYRA Bets Gift Cards valued at $50; and tickets to two of the Capital Region's top sports teams: the Adirondack Thunder and Tri-City ValleyCats.

Entry forms will be available at all Guest Services locations beginning at 11 a.m. No purchase necessary to enter.

Saratoga welcomes 2020 Tokyo Olympic Bronze Medalist Emma White plus Happy Hour Drink Specials on Friday, Sept. 3

NYRA will celebrate the accomplishments of 2020 Tokyo Olympic Bronze Medalist Emma White of Duanesburg, NY. White, who was part of the U.S. cycling team that captured the bronze medal during the Olympic Games in Tokyo earlier this summer, will appear in the winner's circle for a race named in her honor during the afternoon.

Fans will enjoy numerous Happy Hour specials on Friday, including a selection of cocktails for $10. Featured drinks include the Toga Peach Tea, Washington Lemonade and Chandon Garden Spritz Cocktail. Several beers will be available for the special price of $5, including Blue Moon Light Sky, Yuengling and Brooklyn Lager.

Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup makes Saratoga debut on Saturday, Sept. 4

Saturday will feature the Saratoga debut of a pair of stakes previously held in the fall at Belmont Park: The Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles for 3-year-olds and up, and the $600,000 Flower Bowl, an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares. The day's card will also include the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for sophomore fillies sprinting 6 furlongs and the Grade 3, $200,000 Saranac for sophomores going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Saratoga long-sleeve t-shirt hoodie giveaway and Berkshire Bank Family Sundays' free school supplies on Sunday, Sept. 5

The final Sunday of the season will feature a first post time of 12:35 p.m. and an 11-race card headlined by the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway.

Fans will enjoy the final giveaway of the season – a Saratoga long-sleeve t-shirt hoodie. The gray hooded pullover, adorned with the red Saratoga logo, will be available free with paid admission, while supplies last. Limited supplies available. NYRA strongly encourages fans to limit redemption to one item per person.

Children attending Berkshire Bank Family Sundays at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone will receive free colorable drawstring bags with back-to-school items, while supplies last, during the final edition of the popular kid-oriented weekly event. Kids will be able to color their back-to-school bags as well as enjoy a wide variety of free family-friendly activities, games, attractions and educational activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office.

Families can take advantage of a Family 4-Pack, which includes four Grandstand reserved seats and vouchers for two hot dogs and one soda per person for $84. Clubhouse boxes for five people are also available for $150. Packages are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or in-person at the NYRA Box Office near Gate A.

Closing Day on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6

Saratoga Race Course will open its gates for one last time as the season comes to a close on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6 with a special first post time of 12:35 p.m.

The day's card will feature the Grade 2, $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap, as well as the prestigious Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs to conclude the 2021 Saratoga meet.

NYRA will present more than 100 pounds of Dunkin' coffee to the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) on Closing Day. The coffee donation is based on a pledge from Dunkin' to supply B.E.S.T. with one pound of coffee for every win by the leading owner, trainer and jockey of the 2021 Saratoga meet.

For complete details about Fan Appreciation Week at Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/FanWeek.

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Deshawn Parker Wins Mike Venezia Memorial Award

Veteran jockey Deshawn Parker is the winner of the 2021 Mike Venezia Memorial Award, the New York Racing Association announced Thursday.

Parker, based at Indiana Grand, was chosen in ballots cast by more than 350 professional jockeys at North American tracks. He outpolled a distinguished group of finalists including Junior Alvarado, Julien Leparoux, Scott Stevens and Gerard Melancon, and will be recognized in a special ceremony Thursday, Sept. 2 at Saratoga.

Created in 1989, the Mike Venezia Memorial Award is awarded to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died as the result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988. Venezia, a native of Brooklyn, NY, won more than 2,300 races during his 25-year career.

“It's an honor just to be on the ballot for this award,” said Parker. “It's extra special that my fellow riders are the ones who made the selection. I take a lot of pride in being a role model both on and off the track. I will cherish this award.”

In a career that has spanned more than 30 years, Parker, 50, was America's leading rider in 2010 with 377 wins, becoming the first Black rider to do so since 1895. He led all jockeys again in 2011 with 400 wins, and is now closing in on 5,900 career wins. A native of Cincinnati, Parker was a dominant rider for more than 20 years at Mountaineer Park in West Virginia. He has also enjoyed considerable success at Indiana Grand, where he was leading rider in 2020, and at Sam Houston Race Park, where he was leading rider in 2015.

Winning the Venezia Award is another major accomplishment for Parker in a year he described as “personally emotional but exciting.” In early March, Parker lost his father, Daryl Parker, a longtime Ohio racing steward, to cancer. Parker called his father his mentor and inspiration for becoming a jockey, especially after telling his 5-foot-10-inch son to ignore the naysayers who said he was too tall to make it as a professional rider.

“My idol, my best friend and a great father!” Parker said of Daryl “He meant so much to my life and my career. I can only hope to be as great as he was.”

Two weeks after the passing of his father, Parker was selected by a vote of jockeys nationwide as the winner of the 2021 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, presented by Santa Anita.

The Venezia Memorial Award is a 13-inch bronze sculpture with a title that reads, “The Jockey, A Champion.” Parker joins a legendary group of riders who have won the award previously, including Venezia, who posthumously earned the inaugural award in 1989, as well as Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero, Jr., Jerry Bailey, Mike Smith, Gary Stevens, Richard Migliore, Edgar Prado, Ramon Dominguez, Joe Bravo and Javier Castellano.

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