Colonel John honored in Travers Celebration

The Travers Celebration, Saratoga's only evening event, will return for its

ninth year to honor 2008 Travers S. (G1) champion COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) on

August 27, just two days before the running of the 140th edition of the $1

million Travers.

The Travers Celebration will feature an elaborate cocktail reception, dinner,

dancing to the music of the Times Square Orchestra and a silent auction. The

event gets underway at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) with cocktails at the jockey fountain

followed by dinner at 8:30 p.m. in the "At the Rail" pavilion.

The celebration, which honors the reigning Travers champion and his

connections, is a major fundraiser for the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.)

and the Double H Ranch for critically and chronically ill children. In its first

eight years, the Travers Celebration has raised more than $800,000 for B.E.S.T.,

the Double H Ranch and other prominent local charities.

Travers Celebration guests will have an opportunity to bid on an extensive

selection of premier silent auction items, including:

*		A catered dinner for 20 under a private tent on the lawn at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) for a 2010 performance of the New York City Ballet or Philadelphia Orchestra, courtesy of SPAC and the Hall of Springs.
*		A private dinner and wine pairing for 10 at Prime at Saratoga National, courtesy of one of the Capital Region's most accomplished restaurateurs, Angelo Mazzone and the Mazzone Management Group.
*		A private tasting menu for six at Kim Klopstock's restaurant Fifty South, with wines to match each course.
*		A year's supply of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, including 52 pounds of coffee for brewing at home and 365 vouchers good for a daily cup at any Dunkin' Donuts location.
*		A music fanatic's dream, a vinyl copy of The Jacksons' "Victory" album featuring a picture of Michael Jackson and "the boys," plus a two-disc set of legendary singer-songwriter Barry Manilow's Greatest Hits; both vinyl recordings are adorned with a picture of the artist and are in pristine condition.
*		Original artwork by Tom Myott, renowned local artist often seen creating his famed Saratoga-inspired paintings outdoors during the summer months.
*		Artwork by Frankie Flores, award-winning, Saratoga Springs-based equine artist whose surreal track themed paintings have received international acclaim.
*		A Tiffany men's watch, courtesy of D'ella Auto Group.
*		An AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am pin flag autographed by fan favorite Phil Mickelson, courtesy of SEFCU.
*		A private tour for four of the Saratoga backstretch, including introductions to legendary trainers, an insider's view of horses working on the main track and breakfast at the track's backstretch kitchen, courtesy of Parting Glass Racing.

In addition to Colonel John, the Travers Celebration will honor the colt's

owners Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt; trainer Eoin Harty; and jockey Garrett

Gomez.

Tickets are $300 per person or $3,000 for a table of 10.

For up-to-date information on The Travers Celebration and other special

events, please visit www.nyra.com/saratogaevents.