Fan Appreciation Week at Saratoga Race Course

About this event

NYRA closes out the 2026 summer meet with Fan Appreciation Week, running Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7 (Labor Day) at Saratoga Race Course. The week pairs the final stretch of graded stakes racing with ticket discounts, food and beverage specials, and daily hospitality events.

Ticket and Concession Specials

• Buy one premium reserved seat in the Michelob Ultra Stretch, get one free same-day
• Buy one reserved table in the Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock or Festival Tent, get one free same-day
• Family 4-Pack: $99 for four Grandstand reserved seats plus a $10 food and beverage credit per person
• $3 hot dogs, $3 Saratoga Chips and Dip, $3 bottled soda and water at select concessions
• 50% off draft beer at the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar
• Breakfast at Saratoga: daily, 7 to 9:30 a.m., presented by CDTA, no reservation required (not offered Labor Day)
• Full offer details at NYRA.com/Fans

Wednesday, September 2

• Gates: 11 a.m. | First post: 1:10 p.m.
• Racing: 85th running of the Grade 1 Jonathan Sheppard Memorial, $150,000, 2 3/8-mile steeplechase handicap for older horses
• Community Outreach Booth: Saratoga Prevention Council, offering peer-driven support for individuals and families affected by addiction

Thursday, September 3

• Gates: 11 a.m. | First post: 1:10 p.m.
• Racing: $200,000 Bernard Baruch presented by Snap-On, 1 1/16-mile Mellon turf route for 3-year-olds and up
• Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm Tours: stop at Old Friends at Cabin Creek, presented by NYTB
• Saratoga Low Roller Contest begins: $40 buy-in ($30 to bankroll, $10 to prize pool)
• NYRA STAR program begins its Thursday-through-Sunday run (free registration, ages 12 and under)
• Taste NY Pavilion begins its Thursday-through-Sunday run inside Gate A
• Community Outreach Booth: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area

Friday, September 4

• Gates: 11 a.m. | First post: 1:10 p.m.
• Racing: $200,000 P.G. Johnson (inner turf, juvenile fillies) and $200,000 Seeking the Ante (six-furlong sprint, NY-bred juvenile fillies)
• Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm Tours: stop at Old Tavern Farm
• Official Saratoga Merchandise store sale begins, running through Labor Day, 50 to 75% off select items while supplies last
• Community Outreach Booth: Saratoga Center for the Family

Saturday, September 5

• Gates: 11 a.m. | First post: 12:05 p.m.
• Racing: Grade 1 Spinaway, $300,000, seven-furlong for 2-year-old fillies (Win and You're In berth to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies); Grade 3 With Anticipation, $225,000
• Saratoga Breakfast and Thoroughbred Farm Tours: stop at Sugar Plum Farm
• Horse Sense: meet a retired thoroughbred at Gate A, noon to 2 p.m. (also Sunday)
• Community Outreach Booth: Sullivan Jones VFW

Sunday, September 6

• Gates: 11 a.m. | First post: 12:05 p.m.
• Racing: 122nd running of the Grade 1 Spendthrift Farm Hopeful, $300,000; Grade 3 Prioress, $225,000; $150,000 Disco Partner
• Introduction to Handicapping: paid seated session with an expert handicapper, tickets from $95
• Saratoga Low Roller Contest continues
• Community Outreach Booth: Stars for Our Troops

Monday, September 7 — Labor Day/Closing Day

• Gates: 11 a.m. | First post: 12:05 p.m.
• Racing: 2026 summer meet closes with the $200,000 Funny Cide and $200,000 Gio Ponti
• Saratoga Flannel Shirt Giveaway: final premium giveaway of the meet, red-and-black cotton flannel with embroidered logo, medium and extra-large, with paid admission while supplies last
• Community Outreach Booth: ADK Athletics Booster Club

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