Travers question
 

Are tickets to the Travers easily accesable? Or do I need to secure one before I book my flight/hotel?
Having never been there I wasn't sure how they worked big races like that.

Thanks in advance.

It depends, you can always go General Admission and pay the $3 and pick a spot in the backyard or go to the bottom level of the Clubhouse or just be a general railbird.

for a reserved seat that may be tough but go here www.nyra.com and find out more details on a grandstand seat.

Thanks. Yes, the reserved seats are sold out. I called them earlier. I just dont want to get shut out if I'm flyin' up from Florida.

The facility itself doesn't "sell out" if that's what you mean. Getting a reserved seat in the clubhouse or grandstand might be difficult -- although you can probably shop around and find some for sale in the "after market".

But you can always get into the grounds by paying the admission price. Then you can spend the day walking around -- finding a spot here and there to "take a load off" during the day.

Or, go out and buy a cheap lawn chair and carry that into the track and plant yourself somewhere in the backyard.

I'm sure others will agree - Travers is insane.

In terms of the GA, it's a mess. People (myself included) line up about 4:45 outside the gates to run in at 6AM and grab a table in the backyard.

If you don't care about a table and still want a good GA seat, bring a lawn chair but still get there early when the gates open. Every other day of the meet, I'd day you'd be fine leaving the chair with a paper on it and coming back later in the day. But Travers day is for tourists and they don't always obey the usually Saratoga rules.

If you want a seat seat the after-market is the way to go. But it ain't cheap unless you get real lucky.

That's all i got.

Ticketsattheraces.com still had some Travers tix when I was on their site yesterday. Varying locations and prices.

having never been there....what is the "backyard" of which everyone speaks of?

The backyared is the area behind the grandstand and clubhouse. It's a park that has picnic tables, access to the paddock, Hundreds of TV's everywhere including a Couple very LARGE tv's, they have betting windows and SAM machines back there. You can bring in your own food and beer, wine or whatever you drink. you can always walk up to the rail and watch them live and come back to your spot. It has kiosk's shops that sell all sorts of mechandise and food/drink vendors. It's awesome. I love the backyard.

If you're there by noon then all the folks with beer cans raise them and then pop them at the same time. A salute.

Just a quick correction,Travers Day general admission is $5.00 and this is place inside the track where you can rent lawn chairs.

Thanks to everyone for the info.

boswd - love your quote. I'm sure you're a Sox fan (hate the Sox) but they have some of the nicest fans/people I've ever met. I might be the only Yankee fan to say that.
I work on the Devil Rays grounds crew and the Sox spanked them tonight. (Not a Rays fan either, I just love baseball.)

So what would you suggest for getting in?
I called the track who said that I could go to the Holiday Inn the night before the Travers and the sell reserved seating. I have no problem being a rail bird or hanging out at that back yard. I just want to make sure Im in, I guess.

Thanks, Leo

You'll have no trouble getting in.

I have never had a reserved seat Travers Day, and I've been to many. I lug in a folding chair and a cooler. I generally try to get a section of "lawn" (it's worn down to dirt by then) by the paddock unless the weather looks crappy. No glass bottles in the coolers, BTW. I hang on the rail to watch the races. Some like to stand above the reserved seats to watch, but I like being right there, although the view ain't so good. Check out different observations spots early in the day and settle in a good spot the race before the Travers.

It's a fun day.

I try to get there by around 11:00 and that's generally early enough, as I am not grabbing a picnic table. However, I will be going with my daughter and her friend this year and won't be in charge of the itinerary, so we'll see....

Do the gates open at 6 or 7 am? I think the web site said 7 on Travers day.

Also what time do they open on the Friday. The site conflicts about that as well. Going to try to hit the museum as well.....any suggestions on whats the best time to do that? I land in Albany at 130 pm ish and would like to try to get there on that day but dont know if I'd be pushing it.

Thanks again.

Saratoga is only about 30 mins to 40 mins tops from Albany so you'll be fine in making the Hall of Fame but I would double check hours of operations.

The way it will work on Friday is the track will open for Breakfast from 7 to 9:30. If there is wagering on Great Britian you can pay and would be set for the rest of the day. The gates will reopen at 11:00

by the way GO SOX : )

Thanks. I'll plan on getting there early on both days. Gonna check the hours for the museum now.

Grrrr...again....Sox spanked the Rays last night. The game was not as close as the score said. Neither team could get anyone out.....we didnt get out of there til after 11 pm. Those games are the worst. Something was bothering Francona last night. He had some harsh words for the NESN people outside the clubhouse door. Also, someone took a bat to the bathroom water fountain (again). It was a pretty interesting night.


FYI:
Hours or museum -

Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 4 p.m.

During the Race Meet, the Museum is open daily from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m

Hall of fame hours are Mon-Sat 10:00 to 4:00 and Sunday noon til 4:00

Yeah Francona can get a little nutty from time to time.

Were you able to book a hotel? Its a pretty busy weekend.

Oh and make sure you pay the extra 5 bucks at admission to the museum to ride the race horse simulator. Its nothing fancy but kind of fun.

Yes....I got a room at the ESA. I already confirmed it just to be sure.