On Deck: Travers Week Edition
Four fun fundraisers and Saturday's Midsummer Derby festivities.
Tuesday, August 20
TRF’s BBQ at the Barn: Tonight, a staple of Saratoga’s late-summer social season returns to the Saratoga Winery. One hundred percent of proceeds from BBQ at the Barn benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, so you can feel good bidding on silent auction items and buying raffle tickets! Wondering what to expect? Read our recap from last year’s event here.
Paint for a Purpose: Going on at the same time is another event that’ll raise money for a racing-related cause. The Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) is hosting a painting class at the Fourstardave Sports Bar at Saratoga Race Course (yes, at the track!) from 6-8pm tonight. All paint materials, plus light refreshments, will be provided, and you’ll go home with your very own horse and jockey painting.
Thursday, August 22
Racing for the Children: It wouldn’t be Travers week without yet another annual fundraising event—this one to benefit the Belmont Child Care Association. Racing for the Children will take place on Thursday from 6:30-9:30pm and will honor Roy and Gretchen Jackson and Stuart and Suzanne Grant. The evening will kick off at The Adelphi Hotel, where cocktails will be served, then move to Universal Preservation Hall for dinner and a live auction hosted by celebrity auctioneers Maggie Wolfendale-Morley and Tom Morley.
Friday, August 23
Travers Soirée: And the hits keep coming. On the eve of Travers Day, LifePath will host its annual Travers Soirée at Saratoga National to raise money for elder services such as Meals on Wheels and social adult day care. On the agenda for the evening: hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, dinner, a live auction, live music, and, of course, beer, wine and spirit tastings.
Saturday, August 24
Travers Day: The biggest Saratoga Race Course day of the year is here, and word on the street is that even those racing fans who typically avoid the craziness of Travers are considering showing up this year to see champion filly Thorpedo Anna take on the boys in the 155th running of the Midsummer Derby. (If she wins, she’ll be the first filly to wear the Travers carnation blanket since 1915.) Also in the running: Dornoch, who wowed Saratoga spectators just a couple of months ago when he crossed the finish line first in the Belmont.
Horsin’ Around at UPH: If not even Thorpedo Anna can get you to the track this Saturday, you have another option for watching the day’s races with a crowd. Universal Preservation Hall is hosting a Travers Stakes viewing party, complete with multiple bars, food and more, beginning at 4pm. If you’re not watching the race in person, seeing it on a 24-foot screen may just be the next best thing.
Creed: If you want to end your Travers day on an even “Higher” note, head directly from the track to SPAC, where the recently meme-ified Creed will take the stage for “One Last Breath” (among other hit songs). Part of the Summer of ’99 Tour, the show will feature special guests 3 Doors Down.