A sure-thing bet at the track? Giveaway days.
7 giveaway days, 7 prizes. Here's what you could add to your collection this year.
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With so many extra racing days already under our belt for 2025, it may be easy to forget that official start of the traditional meet is at last finally here. (The season runs Thursday July 10 through Labor Day Sept. 1.)
As always, the New York Racing Association has ways you can win even if you can’t tell a filly from a bull, a Thoroughbred from a loaf-of-bread, or an eighth-mile pole from a telephone pole: giveaways.
Pay your entry fee and win a prize. You don’t need to read the racing form, and you won’t get your goggles muddy to do it.
All giveaways are free with paid admission, while supplies last.
Following the four-day opening weekend that starts this Thursday, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. The closing week, will include Labor Day Monday.
Saratoga Race Course 2025 Giveaway days
Friday, July 11: Saratoga Summer Tour T-Shirt presented by NYRA Bets
The first giveaway of the traditional summer meet is a red, high performance concert-style tour tee. The t-shirt features a silhouette of the Saratoga Race Course Grandstand and a schedule with the meet’s stakes races on the back. Emblazoned on the front is a horse and jockey logo denoting the live at the Spa 2025 summer tour. Presented by NYRA Bets, the cool and comfortable t-shirt will be available in two sizes: medium and extra-large.
Sunday, July 20: Saratoga Hawaiian Shirt
Say “Aloha” to the ultimate summer statement with a red-and-white floral Saratoga Hawaiian shirt. The t-shirt will be available in two sizes: medium and extra-large to close out the first full week of the summer meet.
Friday, July 25: Saratoga Blanket presented by Rivers Casino
Fans can get a head start on their summer weekend with a Saratoga blanket perfect for a picnic at the track. Presented by Rivers Casino, the red 50”x60” polar fleece blanket displays a one-sided print with the Saratoga emblem.
Friday, Aug. 8: Saratoga Pennant
Fans can commemorate the midway mark of the meet by claiming a red and white commemorative felt pennant featuring the familiar images of historic Saratoga Race Course.
Friday, Aug. 22: Saratoga Tote Bag
Functional and fashionable, this 14”x16” tie-dye cotton Saratoga tote bag is the ideal trackside accessory. Available on the eve of the DraftKings Travers, the Saratoga tote is perfect for stashing racing forms, sunscreen, or Spa souvenirs.
Sunday, Aug. 31: Saratoga Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt
Labor Day weekend ushers in the final premium giveaway with a Saratoga quarter-zip sweatshirt. With summer in its final stretch, fans can stay warm with this red, medium-weight quarter-zip featuring a white embroidered Saratoga logo.
Saratoga’s Big Race Days
The 40-Day regular meet is highlighted by the
Saturday July 19: Grade 2, Vanderbilt, $400,000
Saturday July 26: Grade 2, Jim Dandy, $500,000
Saturday Aug. 2: Grade 1, $1 million Whitney
Saturday Aug. 23: 156th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers
Saturday Aug. 31: Jockey Club Gold Cup Grade 1, $1 million.
See all the stakes races here.
Tickets at the Saratoga Race Course
Advanced tickets to Saratoga Race Course are $7, or you can pay $10 at the gates. The track is not taking cash at the gates or for food or beverage purchases, parking or programs (with the exception of the official Saratoga store). Reverse ATMs, also known as cash-to-card kiosks, will be available at multiple locations throughout the venue.
If you want to sweeten your sure-thing bet, this year you can buy tickets to all the giveaway days at once, NYRA says, through Fevo.com.
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