Carnegie Deli Is Coming to Travers Day: What to Eat at Saratoga’s Biggest Race

Travers Day—the Midsummer Derby—returns to Saratoga Springs on Saturday, August 23, 2025, filling the backyard with picnic blankets, seersucker suits, and the unmistakable buzz of 50,000 racing fans. For the fourth straight summer, Carnegie Deli is right there in the historic grandstand, plating New York sandwiches between the stretch run and the champagne toast.

Whether you’re Googling Travers Day, Saratoga Springs horse racing, or Saratoga Race Track tickets, this guide shows you exactly what to eat, where to go, and how to enjoy Saratoga’s biggest race with a side of NYC swagger.

What’s on the Menu: Pastrami, Pickles, and a Slice of NYC

The Carnegie Deli menu at Saratoga Race Track brings serious New York flavor to Travers Day— bold, classic deli fare made for summer racing. Our signature hot pastrami, corned beef, and turkey sandwiches are stacked high on fresh rye bread, served warm with spicy brown mustard. It’s the kind of sandwich you need two hands for, and it’s what we’re famous for.

Looking for something easy to grab between races? Our all-beef, nine-inch New York hot dogs have that iconic snap you can’t fake—served fast and loaded with character. 

And of course, no visit is complete without dessert. Our legendary New York cheesecake is thick, creamy, and indulgent—exactly how it should be. Or go for a black and white cookie for a handheld bite of nostalgia. Looking to try something new? Our rye chocolate chip cookies deliver a beautiful twist on a classic chocolate chip cookie. Whether you’re in the backyard or the grandstand, every item on our menu brings a little bit of Manhattan to your Saratoga race day.

Craving a trial run before Travers? Order our famous Pastrami or Cheesecake delivered to your doorstep. Your kitchen becomes a private box seat.

Here’s Where to Find Us on Race Day (Hint: Follow the Pastrami)

Look for the red and white Carnegie awning on the historic grandstand concourse—follow the aroma of spiced, slow smoked pastrami and you’re home. Digital maps in the NYRA app list us under “Specialty Concessions.”

Pro tip: swing by during Race 3 or Race 7 lulls when lines are shortest.

Why Saratoga Horse Racing and Carnegie Deli Make the Perfect Pair

Horse racing in Saratoga Springs is all about legacy: grandstand architecture straight out of 1863, backyard traditions passed down generations, and the unspoken dress-code rule that big hats and bigger opinions are welcome. Carnegie Deli’s story runs just as deep—opened in Midtown Manhattan in 1937, immortalized on stage and screen, and still slicing pastrami the old-school way.

Pair a top-shelf racing card with an iconic NYC sandwich and you get a sensory double-header: the thump of hooves, the clack of the tote board, and the warm, smoky bite of pastrami that tastes like tradition, no matter how far you are from Midtown.

Race-Day Tips: Tickets, Food, and Making the Most of Travers Day

1. Lock in seats early. Reserved grandstand and clubhouse seats sell out. Grab a ticket or plan to line up before dawn for a picnic table.
2. Arrive with the rail-birds. Gates open at 7 a.m. on Travers Day; claim your spot, watch morning workouts, and savor the cool morning air.
3. Dress Saratoga chic. Think linen, seersucker, wide-brim hats, and comfortable loafers—photo-ready but breathable in August sun.
4. Strategize your snack runs. Lines crest 30 minutes pre-post. Beat the rush: hit Carnegie Deli right after Race 4, then again between the graded stakes preceding the Travers.
5. Share—then share again. Snap your sandwich against the Saratoga spires, tag @CarnegieDeli and #TraversDay. Bragging rights taste almost as good as cheesecake.

A Sweet Finish to a Legendary Day

Whether your horse comes in first or just puts on a good show, Travers Day is all about enjoying the moment—cheering with friends, soaking in the summer sun, and treating yourself to something unforgettable. A stop at Carnegie Deli makes the day even better, with the kind of classic New York flavors that leave a lasting impression.

From the energy of the grandstand to the first bite of pastrami, there’s nothing quite like Saratoga in August. So grab a sandwich, savor a slice of cheesecake, and take in the tradition. Because when great racing meets great food, it’s a win every time.