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July 11, 2024NYRA launches Students of Thoroughbreds and Racing program
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced the launch of the NYRA Students of Thoroughbreds and Racing (STAR), which will begin July 27 at Saratoga Race Course and continue on Saturdays and Sundays through September 1.
NYRA STAR is designed to give children, ages 12 and under, and their families, insider access into the world of thoroughbred racing. Participants will experience the sport through exclusive on-track events, educational opportunities and kid-friendly communications designed to ignite their interest in horses and excitement for the sport of thoroughbred racing.
Membership for NYRA STAR is free of charge. Registration can be completed online at NYRA.com/STAR or in-person at the NYRA STAR booth in the Family Zone. New NYRA STAR members can join at any time but must visit the NYRA STAR booth in the Family Zone on Saturdays or Sundays, beginning July 27, to receive their printed ID card and lanyard.
Benefits of joining NYRA STAR include a personalized membership identification card and lanyard with a photo of each participant; a paddock tour and Winner’s Circle experience on Saturdays and Sundays; keepsake collectible pins featuring the top jockeys; exclusive kid-friendly email communications and more.
Paddock tours and Winner’s Circle experiences will take place every Saturday and Sunday during races 1-3, beginning July 27, for up to four NYRA STAR members per time slot. Each NYRA STAR member may bring up to two guests with them on the tour, one of whom must be a parent or legal guardian.
Lasting approximately 30 minutes and departing from the Big Red Spring, the experiential tour will be led by a knowledgeable guide, proceed through the paddock as the horses are saddled prior to “riders up”, and conclude at the Winner’s Circle to watch the assigned race. The following timeslots will be available for each tour and may be reserved by visiting NYRA.com/STAR.
Saturdays beginning July 27 (excluding August 24)
- 12:10 p.m.
- 12:45 p.m.
- 1:20 p.m.
Saturday, August 24 (DraftKings Travers day)
- 11:15 a.m.
- 11:50 a.m.
- 12:25 p.m.
Sundays beginning July 28
- 12:45 p.m.
- 1:20 p.m.
- 1:55 p.m.
In addition, a total of six keepsake collectible pins will feature a different jockey each week, starting with week three of the summer meet when the STAR program kicks off. Beginning July 27, STAR members must check in at the NYRA STAR booth in the Family Zone on Saturdays and Sundays to receive their weekly pin.
The NYRA STAR booth will be open on weekends from July 27 through Sept. 1 from noon to 3pm.
Highlighted by the 155th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on August 24 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 3, the annual 40-day summer meet will open Thursday, July 11 and continue through Monday, September 2.
For additional information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.
