(Edited NewY ork Racing Association press release)

Fasig-Tipton Company and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) are teaming up to develop the inaugural Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing at Saratoga Race Course The festival will be held the second weekend of the Saratoga racing season, Aug. 8 and 9, and will precede the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling auction Aug. 10 and 11.

“Saratoga is the most exciting race meet in the country and it is great to work with Fasig-Tipton to launch our first Festival of Racing,” said Charles Hayward, president and chief executive officer of NYRA.  “The combination of world-class racing and world-class yearlings has always drawn fans from around the world. Now, this will be supported by many activities, both on and off the track, providing a thrilling, unforgettable experience for all of our customers.”

 “Fasig-Tipton is delighted to partner with NYRA to present a weekend of world-class racing preceding our premier yearling sale in Saratoga,” said Boyd Browning, president and chief executive officer of Fasig-Tipton. “We look forward to having the opportunity to showcase the ‘Saratoga experience’ for many of our international visitors.”
 
Featured stakes the weekend of the festival include the 82nd running of the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) and the 84th running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Test (gr. I) on Aug. 8. Scheduled for Aug. 9 are the 24th running of the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (gr. II) and the 18th running of the $150,000 Honorable Miss Handicap (gr. II).

In addition to the featured races, a variety of events are planned for the weekend including a Jockey Challenge, Best Turned Out horse contests, a speaker series featuring Legends of Racing, and a handicapping contest for fans.

“We look forward to having the opportunity to showcase the ‘Saratoga experience’ for many of our international visitors,” said Boyd Browning, Fasig-Tipton’s president and chief executive officer.