Francesca Le Donne Photo

NYRA accepting seasonal media credential applications for the 2021 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna; Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) formally invites members of the media to apply for credentials to cover the 2021 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which begins on Thursday, July 15 and continues through Monday, September 6. 

All seasonal credential requests should be submitted no later than Wednesday, June 30. Applications received after that date will not be accepted. To access the 2021 media credential application, visit http://credentials.nyra.com. 

2021 yearly NYRA media credentials are valid for the forthcoming summer meet at Saratoga. Media members in possession of a valid yearly credential should not reapply.

Seasonal media credentials, which provide access to Saratoga Race Course during the entirety of the 40-day meet, are extremely limited in number with preference given to major news organizations and members of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association. 

All approved media will be required to provide proof of complete vaccination in order to access Saratoga Race Course and secure the 2021 media credential.

According to current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen). NYRA will adhere to the current CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination standards.

 Applying for press credentials does not guarantee, imply, or conclude that any individual or organization will receive press credentials from NYRA. Additionally, applicants who apply for and are granted press credentials agree to adhere to all policies set forth by NYRA.

Media credentials may be picked up in person at the Saratoga press office beginning Tuesday, July 13 at 11 a.m. Media credentials will not be mailed and must be retrieved from the press office, which is on the second floor of the administration building at Saratoga Race Course. 

Credentials for an entire outlet may be picked up by a designated point person. 

Following the four-day opening weekend from Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 18, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day. 

For additional information, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.