Saratoga Springs’ own Marylou Whitney will
be among those honored this summer when she
becomes a represented on the new Walk of Fame
being created at Saratoga Race Course this year.
The Walk of Fame is among the changes this
year announced by the New York Racing Association
(NYRA).
The meet starts July 24 and ends Labor Day,
Sept. 7.
The covered structure, which features the
traditional Saratoga turrets and is located adjacent
to the Carousel, will house a number of
commemorative plaques honoring industry leaders,
including owners, trainers and jockeys, who
have made an indelible mark on thoroughbred
racing at Saratoga Race Course.
The new attraction will provide a permanent
home for the plaques and their narratives, where
guests can learn about the honorees.
“The Saratoga Walk of Fame is our way of
acknowledging and recognizing these individuals
for their dedication to the sport with a place to
publicly enshrine their accomplishments,” said
NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay. “We hope
our guests will enjoy Saratoga’s newest attraction
which is designed to highlight the contributions
of our industry’s leading pioneers and achievers
for decades to come.”
The other 2015 inductee will be prominent
owner Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps of Phipps
Stable. The plaques for each honoree will be
unveiled during the Red Jacket ceremony at
Saratoga Race Course on Friday, Aug. 28, the
eve of the 146th running of the $1.25 million
Travers Stakes.
Among track changes this summer, NYRA
said there will be two enhanced hospitality areas
available daily for paid reservation and offer
guests the most affordable reserved seat pricing
at the historic sporting venue.
“The lower Carousel, which has been tired and
aging, will be reinvigorated and reintroduced to
include a signature sports bar that will feature
dozens of high-definition television sets,” said
Kay. “Within the popular backyard, we will have
the same number of tables available on a first come,
first serve basis as last season (850) and
will add more than 100 tables for paid reservation
for the ease and convenience of our guests. We
are excited to offer our guests the opportunity to
enjoy these two new hospitality areas at Saratoga
Race Course.”
Located within close proximity to the trackside
apron, the lower Carousel includes five
dozen tables available for daily reservation and a
new sports bar which features an extensive craft
beer selection, popular food vendors, and 40 flat screen
televisions showing both racing and other
sporting events. The new hospitality space also provides protection from the elements.
Saratoga guests will also have the opportunity
to reserve a picnic table each day during, an
extension of the popular Travers Day program,
officials said. More than 100 picnic tables will
be made available daily for paid reservation
adjacent to the paddock.
“These new areas will make it possible for
guests to enjoy a leisurely day at Saratoga with
the guarantee that they have a seat waiting for
them upon arrival, thereby eliminating the need
to often arrive at dawn to claim a table,” said
NYRA Chief Experience Officer Lynn LaRocca.
Reserved seating in the new sports bar in the
lower Carousel and a premium section of Saratoga’s
coveted backyard picnic tables became
available in June.
Also returning is the Taste NY series, which
will feature an array of New York ciders, wines
and spirits for sampling every Thursday of the
meet; New York craft beer on Fridays; and New
York foods and artisan crafts every Sunday. The
Taste NY series at Saratoga Race Course is held
in partnership with the state Department of
Agriculture and Markets.
Another new attraction is the Tom Durkin
Replay Center, located within the Carousel,
which will allow guests the opportunity to view
and hear some of the classic calls by former NYRA
track announcer Durkin, who retired in 2014 at
the conclusion of the Saratoga meet following a
43-year career.
For more information and to purchase visit
www.nyra.com/Saratoga.
Photo ©2015 SaratogaPhotographer.com