And we're off: The 2019 Saratoga Race Course season opens Thursday, with races scheduled five days a week through Monday, Sept. 2. If that seems like a bit of a marathon, you're right: The season has a longer span than previous years.

NYRA has a number of promotions and events set to bring fans back to the track, and of course, they might not be there without the horse racing. That includes the 150th running of the Travers Stakes.

So what awaits course-goers this summer?

The basics

To get in, it's $7 for grandstand admission, $10 for clubhouse admission. Admission can be bought in advance at the NYRA box office at the course, or online at Ticketmaster.com. You can save $2 on grandstand admission for opening weekend with a voucher obtained from either Stewart's or various Saratoga Downtown Business Association locations.

Season ticket plans, weekly ticket plans, reserved and premium seating, and reserved tables at both the Picnic Paddock and the Fourstardave Sports Bar are available on the NYRA Saratoga site.

There's also the new 1863 Club, a hospitality venue that features luxury suites with views of the main track, as well as a banquet space, a group event space, and a full-service kitchen. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA box office at (844) 697-2849 (844-NYRA-TIX).

Want to place a bet? There are plenty of kiosks and booths throughout the grounds and grandstand where you can put your money down. The NYRA Bets Squad will return for 2019 as well; their booths are open daily at or near the upper Grandstand, the Big Red Spring, the Paddock Mutuel Bay, the track apron on the Grandstand, and inside both The Stretch and the 1863 Club.

Many track-goers bring coolers for the day. Here are a few regulations for the 2019 season:

  • No coolers inside the building or clubhouse.
  • Coolers can be no bigger than 12 inches by 18 inches. They're permitted on the trackside apron and Top of the Stretch.
  • No coolers on seats or in aisles.
  • Coolers are subject to search by track security.

Opening weekend

A soon-to-be Baseball Hall of Famer and a local singing celebrity will be two of the main attractions as Saratoga opens its gates.

Friday, July 12, is Mariano Rivera Day at the track. The longtime New York Yankees closer was the first man in baseball history to be unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Nine days before Mo's big day in Cooperstown, he'll be in Saratoga. NYRA plans to honor him in a special ceremony.

Saturday, 17-year-old Madison Vandenburg will perform at the track's Don Julio stage. Vandenburg, of Cohoes, recently placed third in the latest season of "American Idol," and also shared the stage with "The Voice" competitor Moriah Formica at the Times Union Center.

And where there are horses in Saratoga, there are ornate hats. Sunday, July 14 brings the annual hat contest to the track. There are three categories: Kreative Kids, Fashionably Saratoga, and Uniquely Saratoga. Wear your best lids.

The races

Post time for the first race of the season is 1 p.m. on Opening Day, June 11. Gates will open at 11 a.m. every day, of course, including on weekends. The only exception will be Travers Day (Aug. 24).

There will be six featured stakes races on opening weekend, with the Grade 3 Schuylerville being the featured race of Opening Day and the Grade 1 Diana highlighting the first Saturday of the meet.

Saturdays will have the highest-stakes races, including the $600,000 Jim Dandy (July 27), the $1 million Whitney (Aug. 3), the $500,000 Fourstardave (Aug. 10), the $600,000 Alabama (Aug. 17) and, of course, the $1.25 million Travers.

Aside from Labor Day, which is the final day of the meet, Mondays and Tuesdays will be dark days at the track.

The giveaways

Giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last. Pay attention to those last three words, as there's often a decent scramble when gates open at 11 a.m. on premium days.

 

The premium giveaways are as follows:

  • Sunday, July 14: Picnic cooler
  • Wednesday, Aug. 7: Baseball cap
  • Wednesday, Aug. 21: Beach towel
  • Sunday, Sept. 1: Zip-up hooded sweatshirt

Bring the kids

This season, Berkshire Bank will sponsor Family Sundays. So if your kids aren't much for handicapping, there are a number of free, family-friendly attractions and activities in the pavilion every Sunday of the meet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Family Zone is smoke-free and alcohol-free, and will include a free phone charging station.

Other events

  • Taste NY: Wine & Spirits â€” every Thursday, starting Opening Day (five samples for $5)
  • Taste NY: Craft Beer & Cider — every Friday, starting July 12 (five samples for $5)
  • Fashion Saturdays â€” every week, starting July 13 (11 a.m.-5 p.m. in the pavilion)
  • Military Appreciation Day — Wednesday, July 24
  • First Responders Day â€” Wednesday, Aug. 7