HORSE RACING: NYRA unveils new food and beverage offerings for 2024 summer meet

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 meet.

The meet will also feature the reimagined Jim Dandy Bar, presented by Great Jones Distilling Co. The new horseshoe-shaped bar, first introduced during the recently held Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, is the centerpiece of sweeping renovations and upgrades to the lower level of the Clubhouse.

Great Jones produces 100 percent New York bourbon whiskey, whose grains are sourced exclusively from the Black Dirt region in 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 latter is made from Belvedere organic pure vodka, orange juice, and grenadine. Both beverages will be served in a commemorative cup.

The Clubhouse upgrades include a new Clubhouse Grill that shares a kitchen with the Finish Line Grill, which was remodeled in 2023. The Clubhouse Grill will feature hot foods for the first time including a southern pork tenderloin sandwich, a hot and spicy chicken sandwich, and a bacon bourbon caramel brownie. The Finish Line Grill will offer new signature flatbreads, such as a 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 converted to Trifecta Taqueria, a premium taco station where fans can enjoy the new and healthy vegetarian Guaco Taco.

Another new healthy alternative is the vegan carrot link, made with grilled carrot, cucumber, and radish slaw, available at the sausage portables.

Popular Saratoga breakfast spot Country Corner Café will have a new pop-up cart on track offering various breakfast and baked good options. In addition, Papa Rosso sandwich shop has replaced Blue Smoke BBQ at The Post, adjacent to Shake Shack.

Premium dining areas will showcase an array of innovative new menu items developed by the Levy 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 the Superfecta Summer Ale, a special label 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, wine-by-the-bottle 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 meet, with the exception of the Post Bar, Shake Shack, and Papa Rosso.

Cash will continue to be accepted for wagering, admissions, and merchandise.

Highlighted by the 155th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on Saturday, August 24 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Saturday, August 3, the 2024 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will open on Thursday, July 11 and continue through Monday, September 2.

Following the four-day opening week, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.