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Saratoga Race Course, City Of Saratoga Springs To Honor The Late Marylou Whitney

Will Levith
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Saratoga Race Course, City Of Saratoga Springs To Honor The Late Marylou Whitney

The “Queen of Saratoga,” Marylou Whitney, may be gone now, but she’ll certainly never be forgotten here in Saratoga Springs. The New York Racing Association (NYRA), which oversees the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, along with the City of Saratoga, are seeing to that, honoring the late Whitney, who died at the age of 93 on July 19, in a number of key ways.

For one, NYRA will be naming the main Clubhouse entrance gate at the racetrack the “Marylou Whitney Entrance,” with two statues of jockeys wearing Marylou Whitney Stables’ Eton blue and brown silks flanking the gate. The two statues commemorate the 2004 victories by Whitney Stables’ Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes.  Also, just in time for the running of the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Handicap on Saturday, August 3, NYRA will pay tribute to the late racehorse owner and breeder with a special “Marylou Whitney Day” celebration, which will include a specially produced video tribute to Whitney at the racetrack. NYRA is encouraging fans to wear pink, Whitney’s signature color, in celebration of her life on Saturday. “Marylou was integral in making our summer meet at Saratoga the success that it is today,” said David O’Rourke, NYRA’s CEO and president, in a prepared statement. “It is truly fitting to have her name serve as a warm welcome to the many racing fans who pass through our Clubhouse gates each summer.” O’Rourke went on to say that “Marylou’s impact on racing and the community as a whole cannot be overstated. She was a passionate horsewoman who demonstrated unmatched generosity and grace. We look forward to honoring her memory while celebrating her many contributions to the Spa.”

As was previously reported, the day before the big race, on Friday, August 2, Whitney will be posthumously inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame, with legendary race-caller Tom Durkin emceeing the induction ceremony. The event is free and open to the public and takes place at 10:30am sharp at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga.

Additionally, the City of Saratoga announced plans to rename Centennial Park—the area at the top of Congress Park at the base of Union Avenue, featuring the “Welcome To Saratoga” statue of Native Dancer—Marylou Whitney Park. (The park and statue were funded and dedicated by Whitney and her husband John Hendrickson in 2015.) “Marylou Whitney is synonymous with everything that is Saratoga Springs: the Saratoga Race Course, its backstretch, the Canfield Casino and Saratoga Hospital, to name a few,” said Saratoga Mayor Meg Kelly in a statement. “Whether grand giving or anonymous donation, her generosity to this region knew no bounds. Some people call Marylou Whitney the ‘savior of Saratoga Springs.’ Some consider her the ‘Queen of Saratoga.’ To family, friends, and myself, she is the soul of Saratoga Springs. Thank you to Marylou Whitney, who touched this, and so much, in the City of Saratoga Springs.”

 

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From The Grade 2 Jim Dandy

Will Levith
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Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From The Grade 2 Jim Dandy

We’re deep into July, which means some of the more primo stakes races are running on the weekends. This weekend featured a number of them, including the Grade 1 Vanderbilt, Grade 2 Bowling Green and Grade 2 Jim Dandy on Saturday and the Grade 2 Amsterdam on Sunday. saratoga living‘s Billy Francis LeRoux was onsite Saturday for the running of the popular Jim Dandy, named for the eponymous Travers longshot-winner in 1930.

This year’s throwdown saw Tax, who placed in the 2019 Belmont Stakes, nip Tacitus—our experts’ early pick for a W at the Travers—by three-quarters of a length to ride to victory.

For more photographic coverage of Saratoga Race Course’s 2019 summer meet by Billy Francis LeRoux, click here.

Philadelphia Orchestra Returns To SPAC With An Opening Week Topped By ‘Harry Potter’

Jeff Dingler
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Philadelphia Orchestra Returns To SPAC With An Opening Week Topped By ‘Harry Potter’

No summer season in Saratoga Springs would be complete without going to see the Philadelphia Orchestra at its summer home, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). This year, the orchestra’s three-week SPAC residency runs from Wednesday, July 31 through Saturday, August 17, and it’ll be playing a total of 19 SPAC premieres during its stay. For the big Opening Night on July 31, the orchestra has planned an evening of dancing and festive fanfare, including fireworks, live cannon fire and performances by PHILADANCO! (The Philadelphia Dance Company), who are making their SPAC debut. This program will feature some classical music favorites such as Ravel’s La Valse and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (the piece that will put those big cannons to use).

On August 1, an afternoon program, entitled Beyond Baroque, will feature all Baroque or Baroque-inspired works, with a number of Leopold Stokowski’s wonderfully dramatic orchestral arrangements of J.S. Bach’s music. (Though not part of the orchestra’s season, Thursday night will also include the continuation of SPAC’s speaker series with Sandra Postel, the director of the Global Water Policy Project and author of Replenish: The Virtuous Cycle of Water and Prosperity.)

For the orchestra’s third night on August 2, the theme will be Songs of the Sea, including lots of pieces with watery titles, including Debussy’s The Sunken Cathedral and Four Sea Interludes from Benjamin Britten’s opera Peter Grimes, both of which are SPAC debuts. Indonesian pianist Janice Carissa will also make her debut during Songs of the Sea in a performance of Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major.

Finally, The Philadelphia Orchestra’s first week of shows will culminate on August 3 with a performance of the soundtrack to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The second installment of the Potter series will be screened at SPAC, while the orchestra plays John Williams’ dreamlike score.

And that’s only the first week! For the orchestra’s full schedule, click here.

Saratoga Race Course Update

There’s just as much going on at Saratoga Race Course this week and weekend, with the running of the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Handicap. (One would suspect that the New York Racing Association will pay tribute to the late Marylou Whitney that day.)

On July 31, racing fans will be invited to the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from 11am to 5pm for a Taste NY: Food Day. This event will feature food vendors selling snacks and other tasty products made exclusively in New York State.

Fasig-Tipton will present the 6th Annual Jockey Legends Day at the track on August 4. Some of the racing world’s most accomplished jockeys and riders will be present for autograph signings. All donations will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund.

Also on Sunday is Sara-“Yoga” presented by Moët & Chandon champagne. This one-hour yoga session will also include a light brunch afterward in the track’s Miller Lite Party Tent.

Just outside the track on August 2, the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame will be hosting its Hall of Fame induction ceremony with Tom Durkin serving as master of ceremonies. At the public event, which takes place at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion, the late Marylou Whitney will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, among others.

This week is a big one in terms of stakes races, with the Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing stretching from August 2 – 4. The festival includes the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 3; and a new addition to the summer meet, the $1 million Saratoga Derby, part of the Turf Triple Series, which includes three new races (two at Belmont Park and one at Saratoga Race Course), designed to showcase the best turf runners across the country.

Check out the highlights below:

Wednesday, July 31
$150,000 New York Stallion Series Statue Of Liberty Division

Thursday, August 1
$100,000 Birdstone

Friday, August 2
$750,000 Saratoga Oaks
Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum Of Racing Hall Of Fame
Grade 1, $100,000 Alydar

Saturday, August 3
Whitney Day:
Grade 1, $1 million Whitney
Grade 1, $500,000 Longines Test
Grade 3, $200,000 Troy

Sunday, August 4
Grade 3, $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya
Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack
$1 million Saratoga Derby

And for those looking for something other than classical music or horses, check out a number of other great events we’ve handpicked for you below.

Monday

Fela! The Concert, which tells the story of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, is coming to SPAC (July 29)

Tuesday

Come out to Pitney Meadows’ annual Fire Feast fundraiser with all open-fire pit cooking and live music by Saratoga soul singer Garland Nelson (July 30)

Alt-grunge rockers Breaking Benjamin invade SPAC with special guests Three Days Grace and more (July 30)

The grand opening of DeMaranville Farm and Gardens takes place on Lake Avenue in Saratoga (July 30)

Disney’s Beauty & The Beast Jr. kicks off a week of performances at the Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes (July 30-August 3)

Wednesday

Summer is gala season, especially with the Saratoga Hospital 37th Annual Gala at The Polo Meadow at Saratoga Casino Hotel (July 31)

The Columbian Johanna Casteneda Ensemble will be performing at The Sembrich in Bolton Landing (July 31)

Thursday

Jockeys face horsemen in the 2019 Charity Basketball Game at the Saratoga Springs YMCA (August 1)

Join Capital Region Dead Heads at Proctors in Schenectady to celebrate the 9th Annual Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies (August 1)

Spiritual Rez + Roots of Creation are playing at Putnam Place in Saratoga (August 1)

Joan Kelsey’s Silver Lining is playing at Skidmore’s Tang Museum as part of the college’s Upbeat on the Roof free concert series (August 1)

Comedian Dave Chappelle will join hip-hop band The Roots for four nights of Rootsapalooza at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan (August 1-3 and August 9)

The Luzerne Music Center will be presenting its Gala Under the Stars (August 1)

Friday

Raise a glass to aftercare track workers during Lauding Legacy: A Thoroughbred Aftercare Celebration at Canfield Casino Hotel in Saratoga (August 2)

John Parisella will discuss his memoir From the Streets of Brooklyn to Trainer to the Stars at Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga (August 2)

All weekend is the Rockin’ with Ronald Fest on the shores of Lake George at Shephard Park in Lake George Village (August 2-4)

Two teenagers find a mysterious book about the elements of good and evil in iTheatre Saratoga’s presentation of Guardians of the Treasure at St. Clement’s School in Saratoga (August 2-4)

Catch a live performance of the hit Broadway musical Mamma Mia! at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck (every weekend August 2-18)

Saturday

Pay a visit to the 9th Annual Bangladeshi Cultural Fair of 2019 at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park in Hudson (August 3)

Summer on the Hudson: Sweet Spot Festival is a family-friendly gathering of culture and music at the West Harlem Piers in Manhattan (August 3)

Barbra Streisand is bringing her unforgettable show to Madison Square Garden in Manhattan (August 3)

Enjoy a racing-themed Saturday Morning Social at the National Musem of Racing in Saratoga (August 3)

Don’t miss Friends Fest VI, ten hours of live music and entertainment, at Nanola in Malta (August 3)

The Black Arts and Cultural Festival is coming to Albany’s Empire State Plaza (August 3)

Celebrate the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga with the Turning Point Parade and Festival in Schuylerville (August 3-4)

Eight actor-musicians will present the story of Ace Baker in the musical Beau at the Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls (August 3-9)

Sunday

Hootie and the Blowfish, with special guests the Barenaked Ladies, are bringing their Group Therapy Tour to SPAC (August 4)

Music Haven’s Annual Summer Social will be all the buzz this year in Schenectady’s Central Park (August 4)

Capital Region rocker and The Voice finalist Moriah Formica will play at Clifton Park’s Performing Arts at the Common concert series (August 4)

Get in on the best cocktail party in New York State with the Secret Summer NYC Cocktail Festival at The Foundry in Queens (August 4)

Home Made Theater presents two performances of the Tony Award-winning dark comedy The Beauty Queen of Leenane at Caffè Lena in Saratoga (August 4)

Head out to City Park in Glens Falls to take part in the inaugural Glens Falls Roots Vegan Festival (August 4)

Congregation Shaara Tfille in Saratoga presents Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People on the fascinating life of the man who created the prestigious prize (August 4)

Grammy winners Herb Alpert and Lani Hall will perform medleys of their ’60s hits at The Egg in Albany (August 4)

Old Friends At Cabin Creek, a Thoroughbred retirement farm in Saratoga, is celebrating its 10th Anniversary with its “After the Race” Cocktail Party at Saratoga National Gold Course (August 4)

Daily Racing Form: Global Campaign Fresh Against Tough Foes In Jim Dandy

David Grening, Daily Racing Form
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Daily Racing Form: Global Campaign Fresh Against Tough Foes In Jim Dandy

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Stanley Hough is pretty honest when it comes to his assessment of Global Campaign entering Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.

“I know he’s a very talented horse but he’s a big kid and I don’t know what the hell he’s going to do,” Hough said Thursday morning.

Global Campaign has been talented enough to win three of his first four starts, including the Grade 3 Peter Pan where he defeated subsequent Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston.

He’s also been plagued by foot problems, some made by his own doing. In the Peter Pan, he burned his frog – the bottom part of the foot that acts like a shock absorber. On that same foot, he has twice battled quarter cracks. Global Campaign missed training time and ultimately the Ohio Derby last month.

Saturday in the Jim Dandy, Global Campaign takes on Preakness winner War of Will and two-time graded stakes winner Tacitus among others. On one hand, Hough believes having a fresh horse to compete against those two is an advantage. On the other, he wonders if his horse has enough foundation to beat those two on Saturday.

“I think it would be [an advantage] if he didn’t miss anything and you were able to do what you wanted to do,” Hough said. “I think it is an advantage for a fresh horse historically. He ran a great race in the Peter Pan.”

In the Peter Pan, Global Campaign staked the speed of longshot Federal Case before taking over after six furlongs were run in 1:10.16. Global Campaign went on to win the Peter Pan by 1 1/4 lengths, running 1 1/8 miles in a sharp 1:46.71 and earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. He is the only horse in the field to have earned a triple-digit Beyer.

Saturday, under Luis Saez, Global Campaign figures to either be on the lead or stalking Tax, who pressed the pace and finished fourth in the Belmont and who is drawn inside of Global Campaign.

Trainer Danny Gargan said Tax will break running under Irad Ortiz Jr.

“He’s doing better than he was going into the Belmont,” Gargan said.

War of Will was the only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races. He experienced trouble in the Kentucky Derby when Maximum Security came out a few paths entering the far turn. War of Will finished eighth, but was moved up to seventh after Maximum Security was disqualified from first to 17th. In the Preakness, War of Will had a perfect trip along the inside to win by 1 1/4 lengths. In the Belmont, War of Will was a nonfactor, finishing ninth of 10 under Tyler Gaffalione with trainer Mark Casse believing he didn’t handle the track.

“Normally, he’s tugging on Tyler, wanting to go,” said Casse.“Tyler was having to let him run along down the backside just to be close. When he’s on his game, he pretty well shows you he’s on his game.”

Casse and Gaffalione have liked the way War of Will has trained at Saratoga.

“He’s just so full of energy and he really wants to do it right now,” Gaffalione said after War of Will’s last work. “He’s so confident in himself – the way he’s getting over the ground, especially over this track. I’m really looking forward to the race.”

Bill Mott is a four-time Jim Dandy winner, his first coming in 1990 with Chief Honcho and his most recent coming in 2017 with Good Samaritan. Tacitus ran a respectable fourth in the Kentucky Derby – he was placed third – and was sent off the 9-5 favorite in the Belmont Stakes. Under Jose Ortiz, Tacitus was wide on both turns and down the backstretch and was beaten just a length by Sir Winston.

“He didn’t get a ground-saving trip at all and the winner did get a ground-saving trip. I think that could have made the difference,” Mott said. “Take nothing away from the winner. Our horse did run a good race, he just ran a little farther than everybody else did.”
Mott believes Tacitus came out of his two classic races in good shape, evidenced by how he’s training coming into the Jim Dandy.

“He’s moving well, his breezes have been consistent, so I think he’s fit and feeling good, and as of today he’s ready to go,” Mott said.

Mihos won the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream in January before he finished fifth in the Holy Bull Stakes. He emerged from that race needing time. Off a four-month layoff, Mihos finished fourth in the Grade 3 Dwyer. On Thursday, he blew out three furlongs in 36.82 seconds over the Oklahoma training track.

Laughing Fox rallied from 25 lengths back to finish fifth, 3 3/4 lengths behind War of Will in the Preakness. Laughing Fox is trained by Steve Asmussen, who won last year’s Jim Dandy with Tenfold.

The Jim Dandy will go as race 11 on a 12-race card that begins at 1 p.m. and includes the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt featuring Mitole and Imperial Hint, and the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green, which drew a highly competitive field of 13.

This story originally appeared on DRF.com.

New Saratoga Wedding And Events Venue, DeMaranville Farm And Gardens, To Celebrate Grand Opening On July 30

Jeff Dingler
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New Saratoga Wedding And Events Venue, DeMaranville Farm And Gardens, To Celebrate Grand Opening On July 30

It’s not new news that Saratoga Springs has become one of the region’s hottest wedding destinations. While there’s a sizable list of venues where couples can get married in town, by no means does that number increase all that often. That’ll all change on Tuesday, July 30, when DeMaranville Farm and Gardens, located on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs, joins the pack.

DeMaranville is a ten-minute drive outside of the bustle of Downtown Saratoga along Route 29. “This property is a landmark for a lot of people here,” says Mary Maranville, who co-owns the property with Kevin Dott, her partner of more than 30 years. “When we bought it, so many people told us that they always thought that it would make a great place to have events or weddings.” Ask and you shall receive. The newly renovated wedding and event space consists of a historic farmhouse; three historic, red barns (well, one’s technically a corn crib); and a large private gardens spread across six acres. Maranville has gone to great lengths to transform what was once an antique and gardening shop called Schuyler Pond into a quaint country getaway. She says that the history in the structures is a big part of the experience, too. “It’s beautiful—I have a deed that says the barn was started in 1801, and the house in 1854,” she says. “We were even told it was a dairy farm at one point.”

That really speaks to Maranville’s own past, as well as her future plans for DeMaranville. The Gansevoort native grew up on a dairy farm. “I’d really like to teach local kids about the journey milk [takes from cow to market],” she says, nodding to her plans to launch agricultural programming on the farm as well. “We’re hoping to work with King Brothers Dairy and have them bring some cows over, so we can do class field trips to the farm.”

DeMaranville Farm and Gardens
An outdoor garden/reception space between the corn crib and one of the barns. (Tracey Buyce)

Though DeMaranville’s business will certainly hinge on weddings and events, Maranville’s true passion is in agricultural education. She’s the CEO of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture, a nonprofit she founded in California in 2008, with the goal of teaching kids about agriculture and modern farming practices. The nonprofit educates approximately 9000 kids a year and is growing. Over the years, Maranville’s friends and family back east encouraged her to bring the concept to the Saratoga area. “So I asked my boyfriend if he wanted to buy a barn in New York,” laughs Maranville. “I knew we could take the money that we made from the events and use it for agricultural education.”

A friend of Maranville who still lived in Saratoga recommended looking near Schuylerville, where there were a number of historic farm properties for sale. Maranville had long been an admirer of one in particular, the rustic gift-shop-in-a-barn known as Schuyler Pond, which is about midway between Schuylerville and Saratoga. She was searching for properties near there when she found that Schuyler Pond, itself, was up for sale. “At first, I couldn’t believe it,” she says. Maranville and Dott purchased the property in November of 2016 and immediately began renovations, especially on the main barn, removing an added-on second floor, putting in new custom doors and even installing an entirely new electrical system. “It was a lot,” says Maranville. “We spent over $200,000.”

Officially, DeMaranville Farm and Gardens held its first event back in the fall of 2017. However, at the time, it did not have a permanent certificate of occupancy from the City of Saratoga Springs. Maranville and Dott have spent the better part of the last two years bringing the property up to code, adding handrails and fire sprinkler systems, among other improvements. Just last month, the wedding and event space finally gained its certificate of permanent occupancy and has wasted no time in getting DeMaranville ready for the summer-fall wedding season. To this end, Maranville has teamed up with some top local talent, including Stephen “Sully” Sullivan, the President of the Olde Bryan Inn and Longfellows Hotel & Restaurant. Sullivan will act as a managing partner, helping to coordinate and plan events at DeMaranville.

DeMaranville and Longfellows’ first collaboration will be the big grand opening celebration on July 30, with a special ribbon-cutting and cocktail reception. (The event is closed to the public.) Longfellows will be catering the event with a farm-to-table menu in addition to live music and, Maranville says, maybe even a little bit of agricultural education.

‘saratoga living’ Celebrates ‘The Races!’ At Party Of The Season

Natalie Moore
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‘saratoga living’ Celebrates ‘The Races!’ At Party Of The Season

Though Tuesday, July 23 may have been a dark day at Saratoga Race Course, saratoga living and superstar trainer Todd Pletcher lit up the night with a party to celebrate “The Races!” issue (and to raise money for New Vocations, a racehorse adoption program in Ballston Spa) at Putnam Place. Pletcher, the cover star of the magazine’s latest issue, served as the evening’s guest of honor, mingling with Saratoga horse racing fans during an intimate VIP pre-party on the Putnam Place patio.

Besides the opportunity to meet and take photos with one of Saratoga’s all-star horse trainers, VIP guests were treated to gourmet tacos by Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar and a sushi platter by Wasabi, as well as on-the-house Tito’s cocktails and wellness shots from Legacy Juice Works. Ryan Clark Music provided the tunes, and Saratoga Race Course’s Sam “The Bugler” Grossman made a special appearance and performance of the Call to the Post. Each VIP guest also received a swag bag, which included a Breeders’ Cup hat, a cookie by Austin Bayliss Cakes & Onsite Catering, a Daily Racing Form pen, a coaster by Saratoga Custom Engraving and a magazine signed by Todd Pletcher, as well as five tickets for the saratoga living raffle.

But the fun didn’t end after the pre-party. Putnam Place opened its doors to the public at 7pm, and guests flowed in, marveling at Saratoga photographer Tracey Buyce‘s beautiful horse art exhibit, Lady Luck‘s rentable hats and fascinators and the evening’s welcome cocktail, The Saratoga Longshot. Nosh Food Truck and Catering Company provided dinner, and Ryan Clark moved inside for a second set before Hot 99.1‘s DJ Supreme took the stage. Guests played corn toss provided by Toga Heritage, Pin the Tail on the Pony and took selfies in Saratoga Photobooth Company‘s photo booth. The raffle was also in full swing, with a dozen items up for grabs including vintage Todd Pletcher jockey silks worn by John Velazquez; a private dinner for four people catered by Austin Bayliss with decor by Toga Heritage; a day at saratoga living Chair Tony Ianniello’s Saratoga Race Course luxury box; tickets to Saratoga Performing Arts Center, The Palace Theatre and Proctors Theatre; gift baskets from Homessence, Star Farm Blueberries and Gnome Serum; and a beautiful framed horse photo by Tracey Buyce, valued at $1600.

And just when the night couldn’t get any better, a horse and mounted Saratoga cop showed up. They must’ve heard saratoga living was celebrating “The Races!”

Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From The A.P. Smithwick

Will Levith
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Saratoga Race Course 2019: Scenes From The A.P. Smithwick

It’s already been a doozy at Saratoga Race Course this season. After the previous Saturday’s card was cancelled due to excessive heat, this past Thursday’s got clipped after just four races. Thankfully, the rains didn’t show up until after the running of the Grade 1, $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial, one of the top stakes races in the steeplechase division—and one that’s been won by trainer Jonathan Sheppard five times in the last 23 years. Make that six. Winston C, with jockey Thomas Garner aboard, had a date with the Winner’s Circle.

Thankfully, saratoga living‘s own Billy Francis LeRoux was onsite to snap a bunch of photos of the A.P. Smithwick. Click on the gallery above for a full run of shots from the race. For more photos by Billy Francis LeRoux, click here.

Daily Racing Form: Saratoga Cancels Final Seven Races On Thursday Card

David Grening, Daily Racing Form
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Daily Racing Form: Saratoga Cancels Final Seven Races On Thursday Card

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The final seven races of Thursday’s 11-race card at Saratoga were canceled after unexpected heavy rains rendered the main track unusable.

“On a day when there was zero forecast for rain, we were caught by a weather situation where we don’t feel it is safe for our equine athletes or our human athletes to continue,” Martin Panza, NYRA’s senior vice president of racing operations said. “It appears there is more rain coming, and it is not something we feel we could have fixed quickly enough.”

This is the second card in four days that has been impacted by weather. Last Saturday, the entire card was scrapped due to extreme heat.

Thursday’s rains came during the running of the fourth race, which was run on turf. The main track was left open, and the rain made the track loose and sloppy. At first, NYRA announced that the remaining turf races would be transferred to the main track.

Horses were in the paddock for fifth race and the tractors went around several times but could not sufficiently fix the track, so the decision was made to cancel the remainder of the program.

How To Make Charitable Giving Part Of Your Financial Plan (Advertisement)

Maureen Parker
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How To Make Charitable Giving Part Of Your Financial Plan (Advertisement)

As a financial consultant at Charles Schwab, I’ve noticed a keen interest among my clients, particularly baby boomers, in being good stewards of their assets after spending decades accumulating wealth. Many clients attend charitable events and often write checks to support causes they believe in. But I’ve found they’re also very interested in having conversations about how they can incorporate their charitable giving goals into their broader financial plans for the long term.

We find that when our clients stick to a plan, it helps them build wealth and meet their financial goals, which can put them in a better position to give with greater impact to the causes that are most meaningful to them. Plus, having a thoughtful strategy for your charitable giving can help you make the greatest impact with your generosity while also receiving some tax savings.

One of the most common ways my clients choose to make the most of their giving is through a donor-advised fund, which is a private fund administered by a third party on behalf of a donor for the purpose of managing charitable donations. You can open this type of account with a tax-deductible contribution and then make donations to public charities over time. The contribution is irrevocable, but you pick the charities that it will benefit, as long as they are 501(c)(3) organizations. You can contribute a variety of tax-deductible assets, including appreciated securities, real estate and cash, and the fund sponsor handles the administrative details.

For clients who are interested in making meaningful contributions while also adding another source of retirement income, charitable remainder trusts may be an appropriate choice. A charitable remainder trust is an irrevocable trust that you set up and make a contribution to in cash, investments and property. The trust provides you and other income beneficiaries you may select with distributions from the trust annually for life or for a period of time up to 20 years. After that period, the remainder of the trust passes to the named charity. There are various types of charitable trusts, and the rules governing them can be complex, so they can be expensive to set up and will require an attorney to draft the trust document.

There are a number of additional vehicles to carry out your giving goals as well. But remember, if you make charitable donations with a more holistic plan in place, you will likely have a better impact on the organizations you donate to and your overall financial picture.

And as you consider where to make your donations, check an organization’s tax status. Nearly all 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, but it’s always best to ask the charity you plan to donate to about its tax status. Or you can just check the IRS’ online databased for qualified organizations.

Being a board member of Opera Saratoga, Whispering Angels of Saratoga, and the SPAC Action Council, I know the importance of these charitable contributions. Making them in a way that benefits both the nonprofit and the donor is the key to success.

Maureen Parker is a Financial Advisor at Charles Schwab with over 22 years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals. Some content provided here has been compiled from previously published articles authored by various parties at Schwab.

A donor’s ability to claim itemized deductions is subject to a variety of limitations depending on the donor’s specific tax situation. Consult your tax advisor for more information. Information presented is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment, tax or legal advice as individual situations vary. Charles Schwab does not provide tax or legal advice. Information presented is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, Charles Schwab recommends consultation with a qualified professional.

Local Installation Artist Erik Johnsen Brings His Shiny Sculptures To The Streets Of Saratoga Springs

David Feld
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Local Installation Artist Erik Johnsen Brings His Shiny Sculptures To The Streets Of Saratoga Springs

I have an affinity for shiny objects, and I recently stumbled on a sizable one while walking down Broadway in Saratoga Springs. It wasn’t some polished penny or piece of glass glinting on the side of the road, though. This one had a group of people around it, gawking, so of course, I had to join them and see what was up. It turned out to be a giant, metal sculpture that resembled a cat outside of art supply store Soave Faire, with a plaque at its paws revealing that it was the work of an artist named Erik Johnsen. I had to figure out who this mysterious man—and sculpture!—was.

I tracked down Johnsen, and it turns out that the metal-plated, attention-getting sculpture is entitled Galaxy Cat. Johnsen, who describes himself as more of a mad scientist than an artist, moved to Argyle, NY, in 2001, and has since established himself as an installation artist, displaying his pieces in and interacting with people on the streets of Saratoga. Another one of Johnsen’s eye-catching sculptures? The Little Mermaid, which was on display at the Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls this past April, as part of the artist’s Blind Art Tour, one that he curated with the visually impaired in mind. (The exhibit was partly inspired by a blind cousin, as well as a minor stroke the artist had that rendered him temporarily blind.) For The Little Mermaid, Johnsen was very exacting in his craft, going out of his way to match the exact dimensions of main character Ariel from the same-named Disney classic (she’s 5-foot-7-inches tall and weighs 90 pounds, if you were wondering). He was clued in by former Disney animator Philo Barnhart, who helped create Ariel for the 1989 animated movie. The sculpture, which is composed of “a dozen different textures,” including foam, caulk, plastic film and silicone, was designed to be touched and interacted with. Even non-impaired exhibit-goers were given special glasses that obscured their vision in order to interact with the art the way a visually impaired person might.

The two ingredients to Johnsen’s “recipe for success” are goal-setting and abstaining from television, which he says fuel his desire and drive for constant innovation and art-making. And his side gig has been lucrative; he’s been gradually transitioning from his commercial contracting day job to full-time sculpting. Johnsen’s latest creation, Lucifer, a winged horse sculpture, recently debuted outside Soave Fair on Broadway, and it’s currently for sale for $5000. If you’re in Downtown Saratoga this weekend and a shiny object catches your eye, be sure to stop by Johnsen’s sidewalk display. He’ll even let you touch, or as was the case with me and Galaxy Cat, pet his sculptures.

Looking to add a shiny, bizarro sculpture to your front yard or living room? You can contact Johnsen directly at (518) 955-5523, [email protected] or via Facebook.

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