You can take this to the bank: Whether it rains or shines Sunday - and the forecast is for nice weather - NYRA will announce its largest attendance of the still young season at the conclusion of the racing program.
The first of four merchandise giveaway promotions of 2012 - distinctive red ball caps are free with each paid admission while supplies last - is the magnet that will boost the attendance figures. The giveaways have been in place for a few decades now and have become something of a Saratoga tradition.
While we don't know who will win the featured Grade 2 Amsterdam late Sunday afternoon, it's a lock that there will be thousands of people on the grounds wearing red caps.
In a departure, NYRA is not giving away shirts at Saratoga this summer. The other giveaways are:
August 12 - A picnic mat, which is a new item.
August 19 - A pilsner glass.
September 2 - A fleece blanket.