(SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Aug. 15, 2013) As a participant of Saratoga 150 and the annual run for the SUNY Cup at Saratoga Race Course, Empire State College will host “150 Years of Educated Horse Sense.”

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held Monday, Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. until noon, at the college’s Coordinating Center, 2 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs.

Experts will talk about the history of Saratoga Race Course, horses and racing and information will be provided about the history of Saratoga Springs.

“As a proud member of the greater Saratoga Springs community and as one of the city’s largest employers, Empire State College is delighted to host this event in celebration of 150 years of thoroughbred racing,” said Merodie A. Hancock, president of the college.

The featured speakers include Sharon B. Smith, former news reporter and anchor who moved into sports and horse racing journalism at ESPN.

She also worked on racing broadcasts for several years for NBC Sports. Since leaving television, Smith has written half a dozen books, including works on racing, horse care and training, and she will share her extensive knowledge and experience on horses and racing.

College alumnus John Weber '09, who graduated from the college’s Northeast Center with a degree in Cultural Studies and was a backstretch tour guide for 13 years, will talk about the history of Saratoga Race Course.

The college will provide both a brochure on the history of Saratoga Race Course, Union Avenue and Congress Park and a printed guide to pari-mutuel wagering, which guests may browse as they walk to the track.

About SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 to offer adult learners the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York.

In addition to awarding credit for prior college-level learning, the college pairs each student with a faculty mentor who supports that student throughout his or her college career. Students engage in guided independent study and course work onsite, online or a combination of both, which provides the flexibility for students to learn at the time, place and pace they choose.

The college serves more than 20,000 students worldwide at more than 35 locations in the state of New York and online. Its 70,000 alumni are active in their communities as entrepreneurs, politicians, business professionals, artists, nonprofit agency employees, teachers, veterans and active military, union members and more. More information about the college is available here.

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Media contact: David Henahan, director of communications

518-587-2100, ext. 2918

518-321-7038, cell

David.Henahan@esc.edu