What's happening the final week at Saratoga Race Course?

Here is a list of what's happening at Saratoga Race Course for week 7, the final week of the 2012 racing meet.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29

Veterans Day: Presented by The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA), the day will feature free grandstand admission for all United States active duty military and veterans with military ID. Additionally, NYRA will pay tribute to its employees who are on active duty or who have served in the United States military with a special ceremony in the winner's circle during the National Anthem at 11:30 a.m.  

New Owners Luncheon: NYRA will continue its "New Owners Luncheon" series at Saratoga Race Course for those interested in learning more about thoroughbred ownership. Hosted by former jockey Richard Migliore, the event will begin at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast in the Saratoga luxury suites, followed by presentations and Q&A sessions with trainers Chad Brown and Dominick Galluscio; Michael Dubb, NYRA's leading owner in 2010; Jack Wolf and Donald Lucarelli, managing partners of Starlight Racing; and Tom Gallo, managing partner of Parting Glass Stable. The registration fee is $100, which includes breakfast and lunch in the luxury suites, a backstretch tour, an official racing program and a giveaway bag. Registration details for the "New Owners Luncheon" are available at www.nyra.com/newowners.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30  

Times Union Trackside Breakfast with the Jockeys: Fans are invited to share a special morning with their favorite jockeys at the Times Union Trackside Breakfast between 8 and 9 a.m. At a minimum, one Saratoga jockey will appear at breakfast on the porch at Saratoga Race Course to greet fans, take photos and sign autographs.  

Racing Fan Q&A: The New York Racing Fan Advisory Council will hold a public Q&A session with David Grening of the Daily Racing Form at Saratoga Race Course. The event will provide fans with the opportunity to share ideas on how to continue to attract new fans to racing and improve the sport. The Racing Fan Advisory Council's mission is to collect ideas from fans and issue formal recommendations on methods to improve thoroughbred racing to state government and policy makers. The Q&A will be held in the Carousel immediately following the day's last race at approximately 6:30 p.m.

"At the Post Live: Serling on Saratoga": The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) broadcast analyst and nationally recognized thoroughbred racing personality Andy Serling will host his final live weekly broadcast on ESPN Radio 104.5 "The Team" at Hattie's Restaurant in downtown Saratoga Springs from 9 to 10 p.m. Serling will offer tips, discuss behind the scenes information about Saratoga Race Course and interact with special guests including Hall of Fame trainers and jockeys, leading racing personalities, notable industry figures and celebrity horse racing fans. The weekly broadcasts are free and open to the public.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31: FIRST POST TIME 2:30 P.M.  

Tropical Storms Irene & Lee Collection Drive: NYRA will mark the anniversary of Tropical Storms Irene and Lee with a donation and on-track collection efforts to assist the ongoing recovery efforts of local communities impacted by the storms. Track patrons will be invited to make monetary donations to benefit the Prattsville Relief Fund; Schoharie Area Long Term (SALT) Recovery; Schenectady County Rebuilding Families; and Middleburgh Village Relief Fund. Donations will be collected at the Clubhouse, Union Avenue and Reserved Seats entrances and will be split evenly among the four community relief organizations. Additionally, NYRA will make a $5,000 donation to assist with rebuilding efforts during a ceremony in the winner's circle following the day's fourth race, which will be named "Remembering Irene & Lee – The Recovery Continues". Gates to Saratoga Race Course will open at noon on Friday  

Family Fun Friday: Friday marks the meet's final Family Fun Friday in the backyard playground area from noon to 4 p.m. The event features a variety of free family-friendly activities for all ages, including a bounce inflatable and the Tiny Tots Tea Room arts and crafts table. The week's featured activity is the return of the FOX 23 karaoke booth, where visitors will have one more chance to sing out the summer season.

Party at the Spa, presented by Coors Light: The final Friday off the meet features Party at the Spa, presented by Coors Light, with a special 2:30 p.m. post time. The fun will continue after the races at Saratoga hot spot, The Post, adjacent to the Paddock. The after-hours party will feature a mix of food, drinks, and live music from the band Two Tenors of Rock. Shake Shack, El Verano Taqueria, Box Frites and The Bar at The Post will remain open for track guests.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Two Grade Ones: The final Saturday of the meet will include two exciting Grade 1 races for the nation's top older sprinters and routers, The Forego and The Woodward. The day's card will also include the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap for older male turf horses. NBC will broadcast the races live from Saratoga beginning at 5 p.m. EST.  

Guaranteed Saturday Pick 4: NYRA will offer a $500,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 each Saturday of the Saratoga meet – a 50 cent minimum wager in which the bettor must correctly pick the winners of four consecutive races.  

Final Stretch Music Festival: After the conclusion of the day's races, fans can make their way downtown for the first night of the two-day Final Stretch Music Festival. Numerous bands will provide free musical entertainment at familiar downtown locations on both Saturday and Sunday evenings. Music will fill the streets of downtown Saratoga from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with a mix of jazz, blues, acoustic, funk, pop and hip-hop.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Fleece Blanket Giveaway: Sunday marks the last premium giveaway of the season, a Saratoga fleece blanket. The red blanket features the 2012 Saratoga logo and is free with paid admission, while supplies last.

• · Times Union Labor Day Weekend Barbecue: Saratoga Race Course will provide horse racing fans with a red, white and blue afternoon at the Times Union Labor Day Weekend Barbecue. For $25, fans can enjoy a selection of barbecue favorites, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salad, dessert and more in the At the Rail tent. The price includes Clubhouse admission and an official "Post Parade" program. Reservations are required for the Times Union Labor Day Weekend Barbecue. For tickets, please call 1-888-516-NYRA.

• · Family Fun Fest: Families can enjoy pony rides, caricatures, carnival games, magic shows, jugglers, giant inflatables and the Leaping Lizards and Rocking Reptiles exhibit from The Children's Museum of Science and Technology. The family-friendly event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the backyard. All proceeds from games, pony rides and other select activities will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.

• · Final Stretch Music Festival: Festivities will again spill over into downtown Saratoga for the second night of the Final Stretch Music Festival from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3: FIRST POST TIME 12:30 P.M.

• · The Three Chimneys Hopeful: The final day of the 144^th racing season will get underway with a special first post time of 12:30 p.m. The day's feature race is the 108^th running of the Three Chimneys Hopeful for 2-year-olds, a potential prelude to the 2013 Triple Crown campaign and Travers Stakes.
• Times Union Labor Day Weekend Barbecue: The Times Union Labor Day Weekend Barbecue continues for its second day. For $25, fans can enjoy a selection of barbecue favorites, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, salad, dessert and more in the At the Rail tent. The price includes Clubhouse admission and an official "Post Parade" program. Reservations are required for the Times Union Labor Day Weekend Barbecue. For tickets, please call 1-888-516-NYRA.

• · Family Fun Fest: Families can enjoy a second day of pony rides, caricatures, carnival games, magic shows, jugglers, giant inflatables and the Leaping Lizards and Rocking Reptiles exhibit from The Children's Museum of Science and Technology. The family-friendly event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the backyard. All proceeds from games, pony rides and other select activities will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.