The Travers Stakes will take place at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, August 27. For many, the “Mid-Summer Derby” is the most anticipated event of the summer meet! Celebrate Travers weekend in Saratoga Springs with these exciting events!

Thursday, August 25:

Enjoy a 90-minute guided trolley tour of beautiful, historic Saratoga Springs! This informative and entertaining tour includes historic sights and points of interest along Broadway, North Broadway, the High Rock area, Saratoga Race Course, beautiful Union Avenue, Saratoga Spa State Park, and more! Tour will take place Thursday, August 25 at 10:00 a.m. Pick up and drop off location is the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, located at 297 Broadway. Tickets are $25 per person. Recommended for children 12 years or older. To purchase tickets, please call (518) 587-3241.

Military Appreciation Day: Saratoga Race Course will pay tribute to active military members and veterans in appreciation of their sacrifice and service to our nation. The West Point Parachute Team, Color Guard and Band will perform. All veterans and active-duty military will be honored with a special ceremony in the Winner’s Circle and receive free grandstand admission with military ID. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. with a first post time of 1:05 p.m.

Eating local and season is good for our planet and great for your tastebuds! Join Pitney Meadows Community Farm for a Harvest Cooking Class on Thursday, August 25 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. This cooking class is a donation-based program thanks to the financial support of Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.

Don't miss In The Money Players' Podcast live at the Farrier Bar at the Brentwood Hotel. Starting at 6:30 p.m. this live podcast will breakdown the horses entered in the Travers Stakes. The all-star lineup of guests include handicapping champion Marshall Gramm, professional player Sean Boarman, In The Money regulars Nick Tammaro and Matt Vagvolgyi, StreamHorseTV's Natalie Mayrath, surprise guests, and more! 

Join Brien Bouyea, author of “Bare Knuckles & Saratoga Racing: The Remarkable Life of John Morrissey,” for an in-person talk about the life of John Morrissey on Thursday, August 25 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs History Museum. This event is free and open to the public.

Live Music on Thursday:

Friday, August 26:

Stewart's Shops Day at the Races: NYRA will celebrate its longstanding partnership with Stewart’s Shops with a special ice cream-focused event. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. with a first post time of 1:05 p.m.

The 24th Annual Travers Soirée – formerly the Travers Wine & Craft Beverage Tasting – will take place on Friday, August 26 at Saratoga National Golf Club where guests from the Capital Region and beyond will enjoy a tasting reception featuring craft beverages and fine wines, passed hors d’ oeuvres and a silent auction, followed by an exquisite four-course dinner paired with equally impressive wines provided by Saratoga Eagle. All proceeds of this event benefit LifePath and its mission to keep our older neighbors and friends healthy and safe by providing effective programs and supports to help them stay connected to our communities. To purchase tickets, visit https://lifepathny.org/travers-24/.

Travers Eve Members Wine and Cheese Night: Celebrate the racing season at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame on Travers Stakes eve. Enjoy refreshments in the Museum’s Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Courtyard with fellow Museum members and racing enthusiasts. Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost: Free for members, $10 for non-members. RSVP to Tricia Warrens at (518) 584-0400 ext. 112 or at twarrens@racingmuseum.net.

Hear the stories that have lived on in the Spa City for hundreds of years. They will enchant, entertain, and perhaps even scare you. Fun in Saratoga Tours’ 90-minute walking tour will take you in search of the countless ghosts rumored to haunt the city. Total walking distance is less than a mile, covered at a very leisurely pace so that you can enjoy Saratoga’s many infamous ghosts and haunted locations. Tour will take place Friday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $22 per person. To purchase tickets, visit http://hauntedsaratogatours.com.

Live Music on Friday:

  • Gianna Robustiano Trio will perform at Carson's Woodside Tavern on Friday, August 26 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
  • Enjoy some live jazz with Out of the Box at 9 Maple Avenue on Friday, August 26 from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. There is a $2 cover charge.

Saturday, August 27:

Visit the Saratoga Farmers' Market at High Rock Park every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. featuring over 60 local vendors selling fresh produce, dairy products, eggs, meats, flowers, baked goods, prepared foods and more!

Saturday Morning Social: Join National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame staff for complimentary coffee and donuts courtesy of Julie & Co. Realty, and special guest analysts for a casual discussion of Travers Day racing action at Saratoga with Mike Beer of Daily Racing Form. Special thank you to Saratoga Spring Water for supplying this event and Equibase for the past performance of the day. Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Handicapping seminar, 10 a.m.). Cost: Free.

Join instructor Sara Martin for Yoga on the Farm at Pitney Meadows Community Farm from 10:00-11:30 a.m. This is a donation-based event, which directly supports the Farm and their mission! Please register at pitneymeadowscommunityfarm.org.

Saratoga Bridges is thrilled to be hosting their 32nd Annual Travers Day at the Races! Join them for the most thrilling day of Saratoga's racing meet, where guests have premium seating, a delicious buffet, and beverage service at The Easy Goer Restaurant. Tickets include general admission to The Clubhouse, a complimentary cocktail per person and a Post Parade program. *Tickets are limited and this event sells out!* You don't want to miss it! Purchase tickets here: give.saratogabridges.org/campaigns/21110-travers-day-at-the-races.

The 153rd running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers at Saratoga Race Course will take place on Saturday, August 27. Also known as the “Mid-Summer Derby,” the Travers is one of the oldest stakes races for 3-year-olds in the U.S. and is the traditional centerpiece of the Saratoga meeting. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. with a special first post time of 11:35 a.m. For more information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga.

Fun in Saratoga Tours will tell you the inside history of Saratoga and the area’s food culture while we visit several of the city’s most iconic restaurants. During the tour, you’ll stroll down Broadway and learn why it was voted one of the most beautiful downtowns in America. You’ll leave with a full stomach and new appreciation of our beautiful city. Tour will take place Saturday, August 27 from 12:00-2:30 p.m. Tickets ae $63 per person. To purchase tickets, visit http://saratogaspringsfoodtours.com.

Looking for something to do on Saturday night? Galactic bowling at Saratoga Strike Zone is fun for all ages. Unlimited bowling, shoe rental, prizes, games, and their amazing light and sound show begin at 11:30 p.m. every Saturday.

Live Music on Saturday:

  • Beloved singer-songwriter, Martin Sextona, will perform at Caffe Lena on Saturday, August 27 from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
  • ​Diva & The Dirty Boys will perform at Carson's Woodside Tavern on Saturday, August 27 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
  • Grand Central Station will perform at Prime at Saratoga National on Saturday, August 27 from 7:00-11:00 p.m.
  • Grammy Award-winner Doc Severinsen will perform his final concert at Caffe Lena on Saturday, August 27 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $49.50 per person.
  • Nashville recording artist, David J, will perform at Nashville of Saratoga on Saturday, August 27 starting at 9:00 p.m.
  • Enjoy some live jazz with the Dave Fisk Quartet at 9 Maple Avenue on Saturday, August 27 from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. There is a $2 cover charge.