The social scene in Saratoga

Saratoga is a happening place to be, especially during track season. From July 18 to Sept. 1, the social calendar is packed with galas, luncheons and fundraisers — all for good causes.

Fashion shows and big-ticket auctions benefit backstretch workers, homeless teens and adults, retired racehorses, people with disabilities, children with critical needs and more. Money raised during the meet helps nonprofits provide services all year and start new programs. Saratoga Hospital Foundation’s 32nd annual gala, “A Mad Tea Party,” on Wednesday, July 30, will benefit the new Saratoga Community Health Center, which offers affordable medical and dental services. Last year’s gala raised a record $600,000.

On the eve of opening day, the social season kicks off with the 21st annual Siro’s Cup, which draws a crowd of 1,000-plus to the popular restaurant next to the track. This year’s honoree: Rosie Napravnik, the first female jockey to compete in all three Triple Crown races.

Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson’s Saratoga Opening Day Luncheon draws horse owners, trainers, politicians and local movers-and-shakers. While their event is by invitation only, most benefits are open to anyone who is willing to donate to charity.

Here are some don’t-miss events of the Saratoga racing season:

MONDAY

The Father Peter G. Young Foundation Summer Gala. Location: Saratoga National Golf Club. 6 p.m. $100; junior, $50. 518-463-8109. The event also celebrates The Reverend Young’s 55th year of priesthood.

THURSDAY

21st Annual Newton Plaza Siro’s Cup, Center for Disability Services Foundation. Location: Siro’s Restaurant, 168 Lincoln Ave. 6:30 p.m. $150. 518-944-2125. http://cfdsny.org Honorary chairs: Sara Lee and Barry Larner, Christine and George R. Hearst III, Josephine and Earl B. Feiden.

FRIDAY

Saratoga Opening Day Luncheon, Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson. Location: At the Rail Pavilion at Saratoga Race Course. 11:45 a.m. Invitation only.

FRIDAY

65 Roses The Opening Day Soiree, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Location: Fasig-Tipton. 7 p.m. $190. 783-7361. Presented by First Niagara, the event honors Dr. John D. Bennett and CDPHP.

SATURDAY

The White Party, Saratoga Bridges. Location: Fasig-Tipton, East and Madison avenues. 7 p.m. $175; $125 younger than 35. 518-587-0723. http://saratogabridges.org Honorary chairs Julie and Sonny Bonacio; white cocktail attire or summer business casual.

SATURDAY

5th Annual Kickoff Cocktail Party, Old Friends at Cabin Creek. Location: Saratoga Golf and Polo Club, 301 Church St. 7 p.m. $100. 518-698-2377. http://oldfriendsatcabincreek.com Jockey Rosie Napravnik hosts this fundraiser for thoroughbred rescue and retirement.

MONDAY, JULY 21

Second Annual Hay, Oats, Spaghetti, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Location: Momma Mia’s Pizza and Cafe, 185 Ballston Ave. 6 p.m. $75. 518-226-0028. http://trfinc.org All proceeds go to TRF, which celebrates 31 years of saving racehorses.

TUESDAY, JULY 22

Polo by Twilight, Skidmore College Palamountain Scholarship Benefit. Location: Saratoga Polo Fields, 2 Bloomfield Road. 5:30 p.m. $125; $100 (ages 31-40); $75 (younger than 30). 518-580-5678. http://skidmore.edu/palamountainbenefit Sara Hallberg Boivin, 1996, and Donene D. Honnold are benefit chairs.

THURSDAY, JULY 24

An Unbridled Affair, CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services. Location: Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway. 6:30 p.m. $125; $90 (younger than 35). 518-371-1184. http://captaincares.org Honorary chairs Gary and Jennifer Contessa; celebrating Wise Dan and Mucho Macho Man.

FRIDAY, JULY 25

13th Annual Awards Dinner Charity Auction, Equine Advocates. Location: Fasig-Tipton. 6 p.m. $250. 518-245-1599. http://equineadvocates.org Victoria McCullough and Barry Irwin will be honored for their equine rescue efforts.

SATURDAY, JULY 26

24th Annual Satins, Silks Stars Gala, Special Olympics. Location: Saratoga Hilton, 534 Broadway. 6:30 p.m. $175. 388-0790, Ext. 108. This year’s theme is Shhhhhhh! Prohibition Speakeasy Party.

MONDAY, JULY 28

Fashionable Fillies Luncheon, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation and Shelters of Saratoga. Location: Hall of Springs at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. 11:30 a.m. $150. 518-226-0609. http://tinyurl.com/fillieslunch Honorary chair Lisa Troutt; fashion show by Torso Lingerie Studio and Encounter Boutique.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30

The 32nd Annual Summer Gala: A Mad Tea Party, Saratoga Hospital Foundation. Location: Polo Meadow at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. 6 p.m. $150; $100 junior (ages 21-36). 518-583-8340. http://saratogahospital.org/services/events/the-summer–gala Auction by Fasig-Tipton; summer attire; “come prepared to jump down the rabbit hole.”

THURSDAY, JULY 31

24th Annual Friendraising Gala, Teresian House Foundation. Location: Saratoga National Golf Club, 458 Union Ave. 5:30 p.m. $150 patron; $125 general; $100 junior (younger than 35) 518-456-2000. Honoring Sister Pauline Brecanier, Cokie Roberts; chairs Marylou Whitney, John Hendrickson.

SATURDAY, AUG. 2

“Are You as Dapper as Draper?” Medical Missions for Children. Location: Saratoga National Golf Club. 7 p.m. $250. 508-697-5821. http://mmfc.org Dress as your favorite “Mad Men” character and help children around the globe.

SUNDAY, AUG. 3

Bow Ties and Bourbon, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Location: Canfield Casino. 6 p.m. $150 518-226-0028. http://trfinc.org Southern food from Hattie’s Restaurant, music by Garland Nelson and Soul Session.

TUESDAY, AUG. 5

Vision: A Look at Life Behind the Scenes, Saratoga County EOC’s Latino Community Advocacy Program. Location: At the Rail Pavilion. 5:30 p.m. $60. 518-288-3206, Ext. 147. http://brownpapertickets.com/event/733771 A new collection of black-and-white photos entitled “Estamos Aqui” (“We are Here”).

FRIDAY, AUG. 8

38th Annual Museum Ball, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Location: National Museum of Racing, 191 Union Ave. 7:30 p.m. $500. Invitation by request. 518-584-0400, Ext. 107. http://racingmuseum.org Celebrating 150 years of the Travers; sponsored by Tiffany Co., designer of Man o’ War Cup.

SATURDAY, AUG. 9

2014 Dancers in Film Gala, National Museum of Dance. Location: 99 S. Broadway. 7 p.m. $400; $300 (younger than 25). 518-584-2225. dancemuseum.org. Honorary chair Mariano Rivera; honorees John Travolta, Gene Kelly and Jacques D’Amboise.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13

Ninth Annual NY Race Track Chaplaincy Brunch, Race Track Chaplaincy of America, New York Division. Location: Fasig-Tipton. 11 a.m. $100. 516-967-6037. http://rtcany.org Honoree Michael Dubb, speaker Eddie Donnally, to benefit families of the horseracing industry.

FRIDAY, AUG. 15

The Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Location: At the Rail Pavilion. 11:30 a.m. $150. 646-497-2605. http://nyra.com Guest Dr. Larry Norton, emcee Maggie Wolfendale, honoree Stella Thayer, ESCADA boutique.

MONDAY, AUG. 18

Second Annual Recognition Reception to Thank Financial Supporters, Saratoga WarHorse. Location: Fasig-Tipton. 6 p.m. Invitation by request. 518-744-3600. http://saratogawarhorse.com A program to help veterans with post-war stress and trauma heal by bonding with horses.

MONDAY AUG. 18

August Evening in Saratoga, The Mental Health Foundation. 6 p.m. Location: Saratoga National Golf Club. $100. 518-694-5364. http://www.mentalhealthfoundation.net Marylou Whitney and Matilda Raffa Cuomo, co-chairwomen of the event honoring award-winning TV journalist Bob Woodruff.

TUESDAY, AUG. 19

One Fine Day, Shelters of Saratoga. Location: Union Gables Bed and Breakfast, 55 Union Ave. 1 p.m. $60. 518-581-1097. http://sheltersofsaratoga.com Music by Jeff Brisbin and auction to raise funds for the homeless shelter in Saratoga.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20

Racing for the Children, Belmont Child Care Association. Location: Gideon Putnam Hotel, Saratoga Spa State Park 6:30 p.m. $250. 516-488-1410. http://belmontchildcare.org Sharon and Ramon Dominguez are honorees at the benefit for children of backstretch workers.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21

Travers Celebration. 7:30 p.m. Location: Saratoga Race Course.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21

16th Annual Saratoga Fashion Show, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. Location: At the Rail Pavilion. 11 a.m. $155; $1,500 for a table of 10. 518-438-2655. http://saratogafashionshow.com Honorary chairwoman Nancy Bambara; fashion show by Natalie Sillery of Saratoga Trunk.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21

Health, History Horses Charity Gala, The Ladies of Charity, Saratoga Vicariate. Location: Longfellows Restaurant, 500 Union Ave. 6 p.m. $60. 518-584-7496; 584-7837. http://ladiesofcharitysaratoga.com The Ladies of Charity was founded in France in 1617 by St. Vincent de Paul.

FRIDAY, AUG. 22

16th Annual Travers Wine Tasting, Senior Services of Albany. Location: Fasig-Tipton. 7 p.m. $135; $100 (ages 21-35). 518-465-3322. http://seniorservicesofalbany.com Sample fine wines and specialty beers from around the world on the eve of the Travers Stakes.

SATURDAY, AUG. 23

The 25th Annual Travers Day at the Races, Saratoga Bridges. Location: Carousel Restaurant, Saratoga Race Course. 11 a.m. $140. 518-587-0723, Ext. 1242. http://saratogabridges.org Saratoga Bridges has helped people with developmental disabilities for more than 55 years.

Saratoga Living magazine

This Social Calendar is published in a special racing issue of Saratoga Living Magazine and online at http://Saratogaliving.com. You can pick up the racing issue — for a guide to the track and polo, and an inside look at upscale living and celebrities past and present at the Spa — at various retailers and newsstands including Barnes Noble, Stewart’s, Price Chopper, Albany International Airport, Amtrak and Saratoga Race Course. Visit http://saratogaliving.com to order a copy and for a list of retail locations.

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