FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Greg Dixon
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
518-584-3255
gdixon@saratoga.org
www.saratoga.org

Week-Long Festival Leads Up to Running of 141st Travers Stakes in Saratoga Springs, NY

Superstar Filly Rachel Alexandra Returns To Saratoga Race Course

(August 17, 2010 - Saratoga Springs, NY) The 15th Annual Travers Festival features nine days of events and activities leading up to the Travers Stakes, otherwise known as America’s “Mid-Summer Derby”, on August 28th.  The Travers Festival runs from Saturday, August 21st through Sunday, August 29th.  This year features two noteworthy events beyond the historic Travers Stakes race, with the inaugural Travers Eve Party taking place on Friday, August 27th in downtown Saratoga Springs and the return of Rachel Alexandra to Saratoga Race Course on Sunday, August 29th as she runs in the Personal Ensign.

Alongside the live action of thoroughbred racing every day except Tuesday, the Saratoga Springs area and Saratoga Race Course will have numerous festivities during the Travers Festival.  Some featured events include the The Betfair TVG Alabama Stakes (8/21);  Stewart’s Shops Ice Cream Eating contest (8/25); San Gennaro Day at Saratoga Race Course (8/26); Ronald McDonald House Charities Fashion Show and Travers Celebration (8/26); Battle of the Brews, Travers Wine Tasting and Travers Eve Party (8/27); The 141st running of the Travers Stakes (8/28); The Personal Ensign, featuring Rachel Alexandra (8/29); plus much more.  For a complete list of events, visit http://www.saratoga.org/visitors/travers-festival.asp.

The highlight of the week culminates with the 141st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes on Saturday, August 28.   The Travers is known to attract the top 3-year-olds in the world and this year’s race is shaping up to be another classic.  Saratoga Race Course has a post time of 1:00 p.m. daily, with an early start on Travers Day of 11:35 a.m.  The 142nd Saratoga meet continues through Labor Day.  For more information on racing, go online to www.nyra.com or call 518-584-6200.

For more information on Saratoga, including lodging, restaurants and things to do, visit www.saratoga.org.

About Saratoga, New York
Saratoga’s attractions and spectacular scenery have made it a premier Northeast destination for centuries.  Located approximately three hours from New York, Montreal and Boston, Saratoga features world-class horse racing, the performing arts, gaming, polo, award-winning golf courses, museums – including three National museums, a National Battlefield, Victorian architecture, great shopping, plentiful outdoor activities and so much more.

Visitor information is available online at www.saratoga.org or by calling 1-800-526-8970.  The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is the official Tourism Promotion Agency of Saratoga County, New York.