WHAT’S HAPPENING: WEEK #2 AT

WHAT: Week #2 of Saratoga Race Course

WHEN: Wednesday, July 25 – Monday, July 30, 2012

WHERE: Saratoga Race Course and various locations in Saratoga Springs

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 • Memorial Service for Richard L. Hamilton: A public memorial service for the late Richard L. Hamilton, a longtime steward for The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will be held at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame at 7:30 p.m. Hamilton, who also served as communications officer at the Museum following his time with NYRA, died April 18 at the age of 76. He joined NYRA as a racing official in 1975 and served in a variety of capacities, including clerk of the course, paddock judge, placing judge, and alternate steward. Hamilton was appointed NYRA steward in 1989, a position he held for six years.

• New York Racing All-Stars Charity Basketball Game: Some of the biggest names in will go head to head on the court at the annual New York Racing All- Stars Charity Basketball Game at the Saratoga Recreation Center at 7 p.m. Sponsored by NYRA, the event offers fans the opportunity to receive autographs and photos from their favorite jockeys, trainers and owners during the annual event, which benefits the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. Additionally, several participating jockeys will host an autograph session at Saratoga Race Course on the day of the event. The autograph session will take place between the first and second race at the community outreach booth in front of the Silks Room. Signed photographs will be available for $10 to benefit the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. Tickets to the charity basketball game are $15 per person. For tickets and more information, contact (516) 835-0275 or e-mail [email protected]. Tickets will also be available for purchase on-track on the day of the event at the community outreach booth.

THURSDAY, JULY 26 • National Steeplechase Association Official Painting Presentation: The committee for the inaugural Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga will unveil the official painting of the event during a presentation in the winner’s circle following the first race of the day -- reserved each Thursday for Steeplechase. The painting, which was created by artist Sharon Crute, celebrates the first Steeplechase Festival at Saratoga, a day of racing and spirited activities on Saturday, September 15 at Saratoga Race Course.

• “At the Post Live: Serling on Saratoga”: NYRA broadcast analyst and nationally recognized Andy Serling will host the second in a series of weekly live broadcasts on ESPN Radio 104.5 “The Team” at Hattie’s Restaurant in downtown Saratoga Springs from 9 to 10 p.m. Serling will offer weekly tips, discuss behind the scenes information about Saratoga Race Course and interact with special guests including Hall of Fame trainers and jockeys, leading racing personalities, notable industry figures and celebrity horse racing fans. The weekly broadcasts are free and open to the public. This week’s guest is reigning two-time Eclipse champion jockey Ramon Dominguez, who tied a Saratoga record with six victories in one day this past Sunday, July 22, 2012.

FRIDAY, JULY 27 • College Day; 2:30 p.m. post time: Saratoga Race Course will welcome college students back to their favorite course with the fourth annual College Day which features the first of two late post times during the meet. The first race of the afternoon gets underway at 2:30 p.m. with gates opening at noon. All college students will receive free grandstand admission with a valid college ID. The highlight of the event will be a chance for students to win a $1,000 scholarship after each of the day’s races, courtesy of NYRA, along with many other great prizes including iPods, iTunes gift cards, and restaurant gift cards. Beginning at noon, students may register to win the scholarships and prizes at the Big Red Spring located in the backyard. The first 1,000 students to register will receive a commemorative College Day T-shirt. A special “Student Zone” will be designated near the Big Red Spring and will feature college- themed décor, activities and live music from The Lateshift from 3 to 5 p.m. 102.3 KISS-FM DJs will also broadcast live from the tent from noon to 2 p.m. Popular sidekick Greg T from the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show will mingle with students and fans. Track goers of all ages will be encouraged to don their alma mater’s colors or favorite collegiate team’s gear for the chance to win special prizes throughout the day. Additionally, college and university mascots from schools throughout the greater Capital Region will walk the track distributing prizes to those showing their school spirit.

• Party at the Spa, presented by Coors Light: Fans are invited to stay at the track after the races to enjoy an after-hours party at Saratoga hot spot, The Post, adjacent to the Paddock. The festive evening will feature a mix of great food, drinks, and live music from the band Rockjunky. Shake Shack, El Verano Taquería, Box Frites and The Bar at The Post will remain open for track guests to enjoy.

• “A Toast to Taco’s New Name!” from Stonestreet: Barbara Banke, owner of Stonestreet, will visit Saratoga Race Course to announce the name of 2009 Horse of the Year ’s first foal, a colt by two-time Horse of the Year born on January 22. The name, which was submitted by Rachel Alexandra and Curlin’s fans earlier this year, will be announced by Ms. Banke in a special ceremony following the running of the $100,000 Curlin Stakes (approximate post 6:22 p.m.). Rachel Alexandra had a historic run at Saratoga in the 2009 Woodward Stakes against older male horses, where she held off the late-closing in a victory that propelled her to Horse of the Year honors.

• Family Fun Fest: Friday marks the meet’s second Family Fun Friday – an all-new attraction that will stretch the length of the 2012 season. The family festivals will be held each Friday in the backyard playground area from noon to 4 p.m. The event features a variety of free family-friendly activities for all ages, including a bounce inflatable and the Tiny Tots Tea Room arts and crafts table. The week’s featured activity offers racing fans the opportunity to have their day at the races commemorated with a special photo laminated on a 3”x 4” photo magnet by Picture Perfect.

SATURDAY, JULY 28 • A Dandy Day: A pair of graded stakes headline one of the most highly anticipated Saturdays on the Saratoga calendar. Racing fans may get a glimpse of the field for the Travers Stakes in the running of the Grade 2 Jim Dandy for 3-year-olds. The afternoon also features the Grade 1 Diana for fillies and mares on the turf. The Jim Dandy and Diana will be shown on MSG+ from 5 to 6 p.m. EST.

• Guaranteed Saturday Pick 4: NYRA will offer a $500,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 each Saturday of the Saratoga meet -- a $1 minimum wager in which the bettor must correctly pick the winners of four consecutive races.

SUNDAY, JULY 29 • Saratoga Baseball Cap Giveaway: Saratoga Race Course patrons can pick up the first giveaway of the season: a free Saratoga baseball cap, with paid admission, while supplies last.

• Amsterdam Stakes: The Grade 2 Amsterdam sprint for three-year-olds will highlight the day’s stakes calendar.

MONDAY, JULY 30 • Dunkin’ Donuts Mondays and the Dunkin’ Donuts Daily Double: Throughout the 2012 meet, Dunkin’ Donuts customers and racing fans will receive an extra perk on Mondays. All fans who present their Dunkin’ Donuts rechargeable card at the track admission gates on Mondays will receive $2 off the price of grandstand admission. For the third year in a row, Dunkin’ Donuts will guide racing fans as the title sponsor of the time-honored Daily Double wagering tradition. The Dunkin’ Donuts Daily Double will be offered on both the early and late doubles each day at Saratoga Race Course and will be featured during the popular Talking Horses broadcast on NYRA TV.

• Times Union Track Pics Photo Contest: Racing fans will have the opportunity to capture the spirit of Saratoga Race Course on camera for a chance to win prizes through the Times Union Track Pics Photo Contest. Each week of the meet, participants can submit their original photos taken at Saratoga to compete for one of several prizes. Participants may submit their photos online at www.timesunion.com/trackpics. A gallery of the best submissions will be featured online at www.timesunion.com. The photographer of the winning photo submitted between July 25 through 30 will receive two tickets to the Times Union's Galloping Grapes wine tasting on August 5.