2011 Travers Festival

The 2011 Travers Festival will take place from Saturday, August 20th through Sunday, August 28th.  This year's event will feature the second annual Travers Eve Party in donwtown Saratoga Springs and the 141st running of America's Mid-Summer Derby, The Travers Stakes on Saturday, August 27th.

2011 Travers Festival Details:

Saturday, August 20th

Thoroughbred Racing.  The Travers Festival gets underway at Saratoga Race Course with the Grade 1 TVG Alabama for 3-year-old fillies, which sets the scene for Travers week as the first of 10 graded stakes races.  Post Time: 1pm.

Sunday, August 21st

All Saratoga Race Course patrons will receive a Saratoga Sports Bag with paid admission, while supplies last.  Gates open at 10:30 a.m.  Post time: 1pm.

Wednesday, August 24th

Racing fans can cool down at the track with the Stewart's Shops annual Ice Cream Eating Contest.  One of the best ways to beat the summer heat, those wishing to enter the "chilly" competition can sign up for the kid, teen or adult categories near the jockey silks room.  The winners receive gift certificates for free Stewart's Shops ice cream.

Thursday, August 25th

Start the day at Saratoga Race Course with a fashion show and luncheon to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.  For ticket information on the 13th annual Ronald McDonald House Fashion Show, call 518-438-2655.

As dusk settles over Saratoga Race Course, the 11th annual Travers Celebration, the official party of the $1 million Travers Stakes will return ith an exciting new format as a lavish outdoor cocktail party.  Sponsored by Macy's and Northeastern Fine Jewelry, the "Moonlight over Saratoga" cocktail reception will invite guests to indulge in exquisite food stations and elaborate beverage offering while enjoying music and dancing at Saratoga Race Course's iconic Clubhouse entrance.  The spirited event will also bring a new ticket price of $175.00 per person and $125.00 for yound adluts (under 30) with proceeds benefiting the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) and the Times Union Hope Fund.  To purchase tickets, call 518-383-6183 until July 21; afterward call 518-584-6200 x4233.

Friday, August 26h

The backyard will play host to the area's best brews as thirsty adluts enjoy the ultimate in beer tasting: the 14th Annual Battle of the Brews. The festival will feature some of the best microbrewery beers in the aera with proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter.  Noon-4:30 pm.  For ticket information, contact:  518-792-6545.

Travers Eve Party.  Downtown Saratoga Springs.  Get ready for the Mid-Summer Derby as NYRA and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce welcome fans downtown.  The event will feature Saratoga's leading jockeys in an autograph session from 7 to 8 p.m., strolling music and entertainment, horse "squishys" for kids and mardi gras beads for adults.  7 to 10 p.m.  Click here for more information.

Saturday, August 27th

It's Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course with a special first post time of 11:35 a.m.  The gates open at 7 a.m. for the 142nd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers as the sport's top 3-year-olds clash in one of the most historic stakes races in North America at the classic distance of a mile and a quarter.

The Travers day undercard will include the Grade 1 Foxwoods King's Bishop; the Grade 1 Ballerina; the Grade 2 Ballston Spa and the Grade 3 Victory Ride.