As part of a deal to increase stall space for the 137th Saratoga Race Course season, the New York Racing Association has agreed to allow its simulcast signal into Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, officials announced Monday.

The agreement marks the first time the Saratoga Race Course wagering signal will be available in Saratoga County other than at the racetrack.

"Nothing beats the experience of being at the races at Saratoga Race Course," NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said. "But with some fans only having two weeks of vacation a year who might not otherwise be able to get to the track, now they can pop in at the raceway and get their bets down."

As part of the agreement, Saratoga Gaming and Raceway will make 47 stalls available to NYRA for the thoroughbred meet.

NYRA became interested in the raceway stalls after NYRA expanded its security barn area, adding the stalls in barn 29 to those in barns 27 and 28, giving NYRA 82 stalls in permanent barns. An additional 20 temporary stalls will again be used to sequester horses scheduled to race on that day’s card.

The simulcast agreement was one of a several topics discussed at NYRA’s annual pre-Saratoga Race Course press conference held at The Desmond.

In addition to the simulcast deal and the unveiling of the six giveaway items during this year’s meeting (opening day is July 26), NYRA confirmed it will be involved in the bidding process to keep its racing franchise to conduct racing at the state's three primary thoroughbred racetracks (Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga), which is to expire on Dec. 31, 2007.

NYRA, a nonprofit entity, also announced it will likely take on a for-profit partner when it submits its bid.

NYRA is also taking on a race sponsor for the first time at Saratoga, with Darley attaching its name to The Test Stakes.

Darley is the breeding and racing operation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. Darley is part of the umbrella that includes Shadwell Stable -- the owners of Belmont Stakes winner Jazil, as well as Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini.

As part of the sponsorship, fans will be able to enter a drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to the Dubai World Cup in 2007.

Both Jazil and Bernardini are expected to be major players in the Travers Stakes -- the marquee races of the 36-day Saratoga summer meet.

The 1 1/4-mile Grade I, $1 million Travers Stakes, to be run on Aug. 26 as part of an 11-race card that will feature the 7-furlong King’s Bishop, is expected to play a major role in determining the champion 3-year-old colt of 2006.

With Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro retired because of injury and Bernardini and Jazil splitting the final two legs of the Triple Crown, the Travers winner will take the divisional lead.

NYRA has also moved the Woodward Stakes -- a Grade I stakes race for handicap horses -- from the first week of Belmont’s fall championship meet to the final weekend of the Saratoga meet. In addition, the Spinaway and Hopeful stakes have been returned to their traditional closing week placement, making the final week of racing after the Travers relevant again. Saratoga will run 14 Grade I races over its 36 days of racing.

The movement of the Woodward will give last year’s Jim Dandy and Travers winner Flower Alley an opportunity for an unprecedented Saratoga record. Only Medaglia d’Oro has won the Whitney, Travers and Jim Dandy. Flower Alley has the opportunity to win the Whitney and Woodward.

The annual Saratoga giveaways include a Todd Pletcher bobblehead doll on July 27, a Saratoga baseball cap on July 30, a Saratoga T-shirt on Aug. 6, a sports bag on Aug. 13, a travel mug on Aug. 20 and a stadium blanket on Sept. 3.

On those busy giveaway days, NYRA has also created an express line for fans who do not want the giveaway, but just want to get into the track.

In addition to a rewards program for NYRA’s highest rollers, there will also be a new wager available, called the Grand Slam. The four-race wager, culminating with the feature every day, requires bettors to pick a horse to hit the board in the first three legs before picking the winning horse in the fourth leg.

ESPN and ABC will televise 12 races from Saratoga this summer, staring July 29 with the Diana and Jim Dandy.

Steeplechasing will be back, but on a limited basis, with only six steeplechases to be run -- all on Thursdays. Five of the six races will be the first race of the card, with the Grade I New York Turfwriters Cup the featured race on Aug. 31.

Giveaway schedule

July 27 -- Todd Pletcher Bobblehead

July 30 -- Saratoga baseball cap

Aug. 6 -- Saratoga T-shirt

Aug. 13 -- Saratoga sports bag

Aug. 20 -- Saratoga travel mug

Sept. 3 -- Saratoga stadium blanket