What to Do, Where to Go in Saratoga for Travers Week

Racing at Saratoga. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire, all other photos courtesy of Victoria Garofalo unless noted)
First held in 1864, Saratoga Race Course’s Travers Stakes, also known as the Midsummer Derby, is the oldest stakes race for 3-year-olds and the oldest major Thoroughbred race in the United States.
There is never a shortage of things to do in Saratoga, but Travers week has a few extra special events:
Sunday, Aug. 23 kicks off the sixth annual Travers 1864 Restaurant Week. Throughout the five-day event various Capital Region eateries are offering prix-fixe meals for $18.64 - the year of the inaugural running. In-town dining options participating include Circus Cafe, The Crown Grill and Ravenous; click here for a full list of participating restaurants.
Check out NYRA's Pavilion tent during the later part of the week to sample cider, wine and spirits (Thursday), craft beer (Friday) and to be part of Fashion Saturday, when you can shop with local fashion retailers and enter to win prizes for the best-dressed woman and man.
SARATOGA'S FIRST RACE OF 2015

Thursday, Aug. 27 is the Travers Celebration gala at Prime at Saratoga National from 7-11 p.m. honoring the connections of last year's winner, V. E. Day.
On Friday, Aug. 28 at 12:15 p.m. in the winner’s circle, celebrated owners Ogden Mills "Dinny" Phipps and Marylou Whitney will each receive a red jacket, a new tradition that celebrates the greats of the game. Later that night at 7 p.m., sip and savor wine and specialty beers at the 17th annual Travers Wine Tasting at Fasig-Tipton. The event is one of the region's largest and includes live entertainment, live and silent auctions and gourmet food and dessert samples.
NINETY NORTH RACING'S JUSTIN NICHOLSON WITH DAN TORDJMAN AND GAROFALO

Photo courtesy Kathryn Sharp
Travers day (Saturday, Aug. 29) kicks off with the first post time at 11:45 a.m. and features six Grade 1 races, including the $1.25-million Travers, one Grade 2 race and a handful of other competitive races.                    
While I’m not sure just yet if we’ll see 2015 Triple Crown champion American Pharoah omn Travers day, it’s worth noting that only one horse has won the Triple Crown and the Travers – Whirlaway in 1941.
Jockey Javier Castellano, who won last year’s Travers aboard V. E. Day, has a chance to set another record – most wins for a jockey in the Travers. While he’s currently tied with four other jockeys for most Travers wins with four, he’s the only one still riding and could potentially take home his fifth victory this year.
Sunday, Aug. 30 - Be sure to visit the track the day after Travers to see if you can spot the infield pond's canoe. It will be painted with the silks of the winning Travers connections.
If Travers week is your first time in Saratoga there are a few other things that I strongly encourage you check out:
Downtown Saratoga Springs

Walk down Broadway, one of the cutest American Main Streets I've ever seen, and explore the countless cafes, stores and restaurants. Be sure to venture down the perpendicular streets – Lake, Church, Caroline (Saratoga’s main drag of bars) and Phila St. Venture down Spring St. to Congress Park. Take a walk in the park and go by the gorgeous historic 1870s famed Canfield Casino, through the Italian gardens, Greek pavilions, trees and green lawn, ride the historic wooden carousel and be sure to stroll by The Sprit of Life statue.
Yaddo Gardens

Yaddo – I’m sure I sound like a broken record at this point and I don’t really know why I keep telling people about my favorite space, but I love it so much and want everyone to experience its beauty. The 400-acre artist community offers residences to selected creative professionals. While I’ve stuck to the grounds and have yet to go inside the home, I can 100 percent guarantee you that a saunter through the rose and rock gardens is well worth a visit; it’s truly serene and extremely hard to believe such a sanctuary exists right next to the lively, energetic racetrack. Visitors of the home include Langston Hughes, Sylvia Plath, Virgil Thomson and Truman Capote, who is said to have written part of “In Cold Blood” while visiting, among countless other artists. It’s also said that Edgar Allan Poe dined at the property's previous tavern and wrote part of “The Raven” while visiting. Magical, I tell you, so magical.
Sample the Springs

Most people are going to disagree with me here, but I’m totally fine with being an outlier – try the springs! The natural mineral springs have been attracting visitors for decades and are believed to have healing powers. There are 22 or so springs around town and vary wildly in smell and taste - some are extremely fresh and clear while others taste "mineral-y" and smell like sulfur. The Big Red Spring at the track is my favorite – I may bottle some up and take it back to New York City with me.
SPAC - The Saratoga Performing Arts Center is a gorgeous outdoor amphitheater and a perfect backdrop for a concert. Saturday night right after the Travers you can catch Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire.
And last, but NEVER least, my top five in-town places to eat with ordering recommendations:
Henry Street Taproom- Commit to a charcuterie board and a cheese flight, but check their chalkboard wall for the specials. Also, their beer list is exceptional.
Boca Bistro – Tapas are the best because you get to try SO MANY THINGS! My top three here are stuffed dates (stuffed with valdeon and marcona almonds and wrapped in bacon), fried eggplant (drizzled in honey with toasted sesame and thyme) and street corn (topped with aioli, queso fresco, chili lime salt and Pamplona chips).
15 Church (patio)– It was a nightly special, but the burrata salad with prosciutto, arugula and peach was amazing. If you manage to leave room for dessert do yourself a favor and order the zeppoles because they’re finger-lickin’ good and you get to fill them yourself with vanilla custard and salted caramel sauce.
15 CHURCH BURRATA SALAD

Uncommon Grounds – You can’t go wrong with getting a bagel and coffee for breakfast or ending the night here with an Italian soda while you people-watch on the patio.
Max London's – The shrimp and chorizo pizza is a win and their chopped Caesar salad is the perfect accompaniment – great meal for two to split!
While the Travers almost marks the end of the meet here in Saratoga, I can’t wait for the exciting week ahead. Hope to see you at the races or around town!
If you’re a Saratoga regular, what are your favorite places to go, things to eat and things to do?
If you want or need any more Saratoga to-dos, to-eats or to-sees don’t hesitate to shoot me a tweet (@itsmevictoriag) or email (victoria@americasbestracing.net).