The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Tuesday a food and beverage lineup at historic Saratoga Race Course, showcasing a variety of new and healthy offerings for the 40-day summer meeting.
The meet will also feature the reimagined Jim Dandy Bar, presented by Great Jones Distilling Co. The new horseshoe-shaped bar, first introduced at the recent Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, is the centerpiece of the extensive renovations and upgrades to the lower level of the Clubhouse.
Great Jones produces 100% New York bourbon whiskey, with grains sourced exclusively from the Black Dirt region of New York State.
The Great Jones Belmont Jewel, the official cocktail of the Belmont Stakes, will be available at the Jim Dandy Bar in addition to the Saratoga Sunrise, the official cocktail of Saratoga Race Course. The Saratoga Sunrise is made with Belvedere Organic Pure Vodka, orange juice and grenadine. Both drinks will be served in a commemorative mug.
Clubhouse enhancements include a new Clubhouse Grill that shares a kitchen with the Finish Line Grill, which was renovated in 2023. The Clubhouse Grill will feature hot items for the first time, including a Southern pork tenderloin sandwich, spicy chicken sandwich and bourbon bacon caramel brownie. The Finish Line Grill will feature new signature flatbreads, such as the Taste of Summer, made with mozzarella, ricotta, prosciutto, peaches and honey.
The Frozen in Time stand will continue to offer frozen drinks but has been transformed into Trifecta Taqueria, an upscale taco station where fans can sample the new, healthy vegetarian Guaco Taco.
Another new healthy alternative is the vegan carrot link, made with roasted carrots, cucumber and radish salad, available in sausage rolls.
Country Corner Café, a popular breakfast spot in Saratoga, will feature a new pop-up cart featuring a variety of breakfast and pastry options. Additionally, sandwich shop Papa Rosso has replaced Blue Smoke BBQ at The Post, next to Shake Shack.
The upscale dining spaces will feature a range of innovative new menu items developed by Levy’s restaurants culinary team, including the Pat Lafrieda smash burger, savory Asian short rib buns and a lobster salad croissant, among others.
New beverages will include Superfecta Summer Ale, a specialty brand beer brewed by Northway Brewing Co. in partnership with NYRA Bets, and Surfside canned cocktails, featuring Surfside Iced Tea and Vodka and Surfside Lemonade and Vodka.
Additionally, bottled wine offerings at several Grab-n-Go locations will include Whispering Angel Rosé, Mionetto Prosecco, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and Josh Cellars Reserve Buttery Chardonnay.
Cash will not be accepted for food and beverage purchases during the 40-day Summer Meeting, with the exception of Post Bar, Shake Shack and Papa Rosso.
Cash will continue to be accepted for betting, entry and merchandise.
Highlighted by the 155th running of the $1.25 million Grade 1 DraftKings Travers on Saturday, August 24, and the $1 million Grade 1 Whitney on Saturday, August 3, the 2024 Summer Meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will open on Thursday, July 11 and run through Monday, September 2.
After the four-day opening week, racing will take place five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, with the exception of the final week, when the meeting will conclude on Labor Day.
