When racing fans get to Saratoga, they will notice a major difference at the admission gates. Instead of a $7 admission charge for the grandstand and $10 for the clubhouse, the new everywhere admission charge will be $10, giving patrons access to both. The policy change was announced in March.
Gone are the days of the hand stamp for clubhouse patrons and the ultra-violet lamps for viewing them that were at the foot of the stairways and escalator that the whitecaps used to check which patrons had paid the extra three dollars. The old exchange booths have also been shuttered.
Admission is $7 if purchased more than 24 hours in advance.
New York breds get boost
Racing fans who seem to think the purses offered in some of the races are different than previous years are correct.
Registered New York breds running in open maiden and allowance races will be given an additional purse incentive of 30 percent over the non-New Yorkers.
Thus, a maiden special weight race for open horses will be worth $105,000. A state-bred maiden special will be worth $136,500.
New York bred horses in open first-level allowance races will compete for $149,500 vs. $115,000 for those bred out of state.
Open second-level allowance purses will be worth $156,000 for New Yorkers and $120,000 for the others.
Open third-level allowance purses will be worth $162,500 vs. $125,000.
Opening week’s stakes
Here are the stakes races for the first week of the meet:
Thursday, $175,000, Grade III Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies at 6 furlongs.
Friday, $150,000 Coronation Cup for 3-year-old fillies at 5½ furlongs on the turf; and $135,000 Wilton for 3-year-olds at 1 mile.
Saturday, $500,000, Grade I, Diana for fillies and mares 4 years old and up at 1 1/8 miles on turf; $175,000 Kelso for 4-year-olds at 1…
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