On the last weekend of September, Saratoga Living teamed up with the Saratoga Automobile Museum to host an exclusive VIP Lounge at the museum’s annual two-day Saratoga Motorcar Auction. The lounge was a place where bidders, consignors, the museum’s Silver Arrow members and other car enthusiasts could gather for a drink and bite to eat in clear view of all the fast-paced auction action.
Both Saturday and Sunday mornings began with light snacks, Stewart’s Shops coffee, hot and iced tea from Saratoga Tea & Honey, Champagne and mimosas by Mionetto. Complexions Spa for Beauty & Wellness set up shop in a corner of the lounge, and offered free hair and makeup touch-ups all day. Around 11:30am, Bocage Champagne Bar rolled out tea sandwiches, dainty sweets, Graham Beck Rosé and Old Fashioneds made with Misunderstood Whiskey, while a bucket of ice-cold beer from DeCrescente Distributing needed to be replenished regularly. Next came still wines from Freixenet and a mid-afternoon charcuterie spread by The Charcutebrie. And fall-themed floral arrangements by Samantha Nass brought it all together.
On September 24 and 25, the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, now in its sixth year, will once again bring some of the area’s hottest consignments (including a Porsche 718 Spyder and V12 Ferrari 575M!) to Saratoga Springs. This year’s event will be held for the first time in the field outside the Saratoga Casino Hotel and will for the first time feature an exclusive VIP experience hosted by Saratoga Living!
The VIP lounge will be open to ticket-holders from 10am-3pm on both Saturday and Sunday. In the morning, stop by for a snack, hot cup of coffee or mimosa made with Mionetto Prosecco. You’re welcome to enjoy your goodies in the lounge (table and couch seating will be available) or take them to go while you check out the auction that’ll be in full swing.
The main attraction begins at 11:30am, with new downtown Champagne bar Bocage hosting a high tea, complete with tea sandwiches, tarts and treats; Graham Beck Rosé 2017, tea from Saratoga Tea & Honey; tequila tastings by One With Life and Old Fashioneds made with Misunderstood Whiskey.
After tea time, the VIP lounge will remain open until 3pm, and car-lovers (and all those who were dragged to the auto auction!) can drop by for wine-tasting from Freixent’s portfolio of European whites and reds and charcuterie by The Charcutebrie. Throughout the day, Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness will also be giving mini spa treatments.
To level up your day at the Saratoga Motorcar Auction, get your ticket to the VIP Lounge now. (Admission to the VIP Lounge does not include admission to the auction. Get your auction tickets here.)
Downtown Saratoga doesn’t really have a specialty grocery store—you know, the kind where you can grab groceries and a gourmet prepared meal on your way out (and then walk home if you’re a downtown resident). Sure, the East Side has Four Seasons, which specializes in health food and carries some grab-and-go options, but if you want a true gourmet grocery store, you have to travel to Fresh Market or Healthy Living, or worse yet, Whole Foods in Albany.
PDT Market will carry everything from gourmet groceries and prepared foods to flowers and home goods.
But not for long. This summer, Ballston Lake-based boutique catering company PDT Catering announced it would open PDT Market, a specialty marketplace in the former home of Price Chopper Limited on Railroad Place, later this year. “We hear from many people that they don’t have the time or desire to cook at home, but they want great, yummy food,” says PDT founder and chef Adam Foti. “This market will help us bring more of our delicious food to more clients and help make their days a little easier and tastier.”
At PDT Market, downtown foodies can expect to find hot and cold buffet stations, grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, a build-your-own charcuterie station (yup), and full-service café/bar (yup again), as well as grocery items (vegan and gluten-free products included), a fresh flower shop and home goods. The space is being completely reimagined with industrial and reclaimed accents for an aesthetic that’s a mix of old word and contemporary.
Chef Foti can’t say for certain when PDT Market will open, but he’s aiming for late fall. “There is an opportunity in this community,” he says, “for great food that is convenient in an environment that is pleasant to shop and eat in.”
We tasked two top local photographers with capturing the magic and beauty of the Spa’s 2022 meet. From the dirt and sweat to the fanciest of fashions, click through the gallery to see what they found.
Grade 1 Whitney winner Life is Good breezes on the main track with exercise rider Amelia Green aboard. (Alex Zhang)Dirt flies on Jim Dandy Day. (Alex Zhang)East Ave Racing Stable’s 2-year-old filly, Vallelujah. (Alex Zhang)Well dressed fans heading into the track. (Alex Zhang)Dirt flies on Jim Dandy Day. (Alex Zhang)Two Budweiser Clydesdales taking a morning stroll at the Oklahoma Training Track. (Alex Zhang)Ryan Bond of Saratoga’s H. James Bond racing stable and his family enjoy a race day. (Alex Zhang)Life is Good exercise rider Amelia Green takes home the Whitney flower blanket after the big win. (Alex Zhang)Mixed emotions by the winning team after Nations Pride wins the Saratoga Derby. (Alex Zhang)Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. (Alex Zhang)Photographer Alex Zhang’s horse images are often used as reference photos for painters such as Jessica Leonard, whose work can be seen at Spa Fine Art on Broadway during racing season. (Alex Zhang)Jockey Irad Ortiz at the Oklahoma. (Alex Zhang)A barn goat watching over the horses at Rudy Rodriguez barn at the Oklahoma track. (Alex Zhang)Trainer Kerry Metivier hot walking a horse after a workout on the Oklahoma. (Alex Zhang)Alex Zhang (far left) and the other East Ave Racing Stable owners at their trackside spot on East Avenue.Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas (right) leading a horse to the morning workout. (Alex Zhang)Jacqueline Davis wins her first race in Saratoga aboard Vallelujah. (Samantha Decker)Irad Ortiz, Jr. heads to the track. (Samantha Decker)The gate crew on the move. (Samantha Decker)Mike Repole holds his daughter up for Irad Ortiz to hug after his win in the CC American Oaks. (Samantha Decker)A peaceful morning at the Oklahoma Training Track. (Samantha Decker)Julien Leparoux is presented with the Mike Venezia Memorial Award. (Samantha Decker)Jacqueline Davis hugs her mom after her first win in Saratoga. (Samantha Decker)Fans in the picnic area. (Samantha Decker)
As soon as Witt Construction was contracted to build a 4,000-square-foot custom home for a client in Saratoga’s Oak Ridge neighborhood, builder John Witt knew the house had to be part of the 2022 Saratoga Showcase of Homes. “We kind of talked her into it,” Witt says of the client who is currently living there with her two young adult children. “It’s just a great house. I’ve done many great homes, and this is right up there in the top 10.”
From the outside, two design features stand out: the circular dining room, which is surrounded by exterior windows for plenty of natural light, and the porte cochère, an outdoor living space with a fireplace located under an archway between the main patio and pool. Inside, custom white cabinetry makes the kitchen shine, as does its unique pantry: “It’s got this little L off the kitchen, which is the pantry,” Witt says. “There’s no door, and the refrigerator’s back there.” The first floor also features a sitting room that’s off the family room and has a wood-burning fireplace, an entertainment/bar area, and a wine room with a glass door.
Upstairs are two suites, plus the secluded primary suite. “The master suite is its own oasis,” Witt says. “It’s totally private, but with a lot of great windows. There’s a set of pocket doors you can close off and another door in the bedroom, so you wouldn’t know anybody else was in the house when you’re in there.” Not yet completed: a space above the three-car garage that could be another suite or two additional bedrooms, and the lower level, which is set up for yet another suite, exercise room and storage space.
As for the overall design of the space, Witt calls it a “Hampton/Nantucket-y style” that “mixes traditional and contemporary.” He explains: “If you go too contemporary, it can get cold, but if you blend the two, it’s still warm and cozy and timeless.”
While Phinney Design Group offers both interior design and construction management services, it’s best known throughout Upstate NY for its stunning, modern-meets-classic architectural design. Maybe you’ve seen some of the firm’s work: Recent projects include 550 Waterfront, Common Roots Brewing and Walt & Whitman, as well as countless, timeless Adirondack residences.
Silver: The LA Group
Bronze: SD Atelier Architecture
B : Bank/Credit Union
(Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce)
Gold: Adirondack Trust Company
Recognizable by its stunning physical locations
(fellow Best Of winner Phinney Design is responsible
for the Wilton branch building), Adirondack Trust Company has been serving the Saratoga region’s residents, businesses and the community at large for more than a century. In everything from investments and insurance to mortgages and money management, Adirondack Trust leads the way.
Silver: Saratoga National Bank
Bronze: SEFCU
C : Clothing Store
Gold: Lifestyles of Saratoga
A consciously curated collection of women’s apparel, jewelry and accessories: That’s what womenswear boutique Lifestyles of Saratoga has been selling for more than 30 years. Find the shop and its longtime purveyor, Heidi Owen West, conveniently located on the corner of Broadway and Caroline Street.
Silver: Grateful Threads
Bronze: Violet’s of Saratoga
D : Dealership
Gold: Saratoga Honda
For nearly four decades, Saratoga Honda has strived to provide its loyal customers with a simple, streamlined car-buying experience. Whether you’re buying new or used, the Route 9 dealership guarantees competitive prices, and its state-of-the-art service center works on all makes and models.
Silver: New Country Toyota
Bronze: Saratoga Subaru
E : Exit (of the Northway)
Gold: 14
Yaddo, Saratoga Lake, Longfellows, Saratoga Race Course…all that and more is found just off Exit 14 of the Northway. While there are a few ways to drive into the city of Saratoga Springs, none is more scenic or historic than hopping off Exit 14. It’s like Red Smith said: “Turn left on Union Avenue and go back 100 years.”
Silver: 13N
Bronze: 15
F : Florist
Gold: The Posie Peddler
The Posie Peddler specializes in sympathy arrangements, tropical and unique florals, and weddings, but the West Ave shop really does have flowers for any occasion. Order arrangements of all sorts—the Saratoga Rose Garden, Prim and Poetic, and Victorian Garden, to name a few—online, over the phone or in store.
The Y’s win in the gym category couldn’t come at a more fitting time. While the Saratoga Regional YMCA boasts five locations across Saratoga County, construction is underway on an addition to the Saratoga branch that will increase the facility’s space by 25,000 square feet and house the new Saratoga Springs Senior Center.
Silver: Max Level Fitness & Athletics
Bronze: Pure Barre
H : Happy Hour
Gold: Cantina
When it comes to happy hour, it’s hard to beat two-for-one margaritas. That’s what you’ll find every Monday through Friday from 3 to 6pm at the bar of Broadway hot spot Cantina…if you’re lucky enough to get a seat. The Mexican restaurant also serves up two-for-one sangrias, $4 draft beers, $5 wines by the glass and a menu of $5 bar
snacks, not to mention bottomless chips and salsa.
Silver: 15 Church
Bronze: Hamlet & Ghost
I : Interior Design
Gold: Interior Designs Atelier
Specializing in fine design for both residential and commercial spaces, Interior Designs Atelier CEO Linda Gerace-Skinner prides herself on creating interiors that are a reflection of what’s important to her clients. Because of that, the firm’s portfolio (which includes iconic spaces such as fellow Best Of winner 15 Church) spans all style disciplines, from traditional to contemporary and everything in between.
Silver: A E Thomas Design
Bronze: Jenna Burger Design
J : Jeweler
Gold: n. Fox Jewelers
Seventy-five years ago, Norman and Eva Fox opened a jewelry store on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Today, their shop lives on as n. Fox Jewelers, a full-service retail jewelry store known for its wide selection, high-quality service and unparalleled value. Whether you’re shopping for a watch, earrings or the perfect engagement ring, n. Fox is a sure bet.
Silver: Silverado Jewelry Gallery
Bronze: deJonghe Original Jewelry
K : Kid-friendly Restaurant
(@marsela.md)
Gold: 550 Waterfront
Don’t worry about calling a babysitter the next time you want to experience 550 Waterfront’s beachy-chic vibe—bring the kids along! In addition to its elevated casual fare (such as the swordfish BLT and burrata flatbread) Saratoga Lake’s hottest establishment also boasts a rockin’ kids menu of all the classics (chicken tenders, grilled cheese, etc.) served with fries, chips or fresh fruit.
Silver: Flatbread Social
Bronze: Mama Mia’s
L : Landscaper
Gold: The LA Group
The LA Group is a local landscape architecture and engineering firm with a state-wide presence; you’ve seen its sustainable work at the US Military Academy at West Point, Niagara Falls State Park, Olana State Historic Site,
The Sagamore Resort and Saratoga’s own Skidmore College, among other notable New York locales.
Silver: Grasshopper Gardens
Bronze: Studio A Landscape Architecture
M : Market
Gold: The Fresh Market
Originally inspired by European-style food markets, The Fresh Market is the place to stock up on hand-picked produce, custom-cut meats, fresh-cut flowers, freshly-roasted coffee, premium baked goods and quality prepared meals in Saratoga Springs. Shopping there isn’t a chore—it’s an adventure.
Silver: Price Chopper/Market 32
Bronze: Hannaford
N : New Business
(Bethany Melendez)
Gold: Bocage Champagne Bar
Since opening on Phila Street this spring, Bocage has become Saratoga’s go-to spot for a curated selection of bubbly (think Champagne, cava, crémant and more) and light fare ($10 caviar “bumps,” please!) in an uber-elegant environment. Bocage’s knowledgeable staff can help you pick out the perfect bottle or glass, whether you’re a bona fide connoisseur or if you’ve previously only had your sparkling wine mixed heavily with OJ.
Silver: Kathleen Maeve
Bronze: Rhea
O : Outdoor Dining
Gold: 550 Waterfront
When it comes to outdoor dining in Saratoga, it’s hard to
beat the views of Saratoga Lake on display at double-winner 550 Waterfront. Arrive early for dinner to enjoy a specialty cocktail on the restaurant’s expansive patio, or belly up to the outdoor bar; nearby heaters keep it nice and toasty throughout the fall season.
Silver: 15 Church
Bronze: Solevo Kitchen & Social
P : Pizza
Gold: 9 Miles East
While double-winner 9 Miles East has come to be known for its Saratoga restaurant and meal delivery subscriptions, its pizza is what helped put the Northumberland farm and food service on the map. Sourdough crust, sauce made with locally grown tomatoes, and toppings from around the world combine to create the Spa City’s favorite pizza pie.
Silver: Mama Mia’s
Bronze: Marino’s
Q : Quality Time Activity
Gold: Kayak Shak
In Saratoga, if you don’t own a boat, the best way to get out on the water is by renting a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from Kayak Shak. Located on Fish Creek, the rental shop offers rentals, SUP yoga classes, summer camp and parties, and even added a Hammocraft—a floating vessel retrofitted with four hammocks—to its sea-worthy fleet.
Silver: The Victoria Pool
Bronze: The Children’s Museum at Saratoga
R : Real Estate Company
Gold: Roohan Realty
When it comes time to buy or sell a house, Saratogians continue to turn to Roohan Realty, a family-owned and -operated real estate firm established in the Spa City in 1969. Roohan boasts more than 50 knowledgeable real estate associates and is No. 1 in market share in the city of Saratoga Springs.
Silver:Julie & Co. Realty
Bronze: The Scott Varley Team at Keller Williams
S : Stewart’s Shops
Gold: City Center Shop
While Stewart’s is known for its consistent service, product and quality across all of its 350-plus shops, Saratogians prefer the locally owned convenience store’s 521 Broadway location. Conveniently located across from the Saratoga City Center, the shop has six gas pumps, plus all the coffee, prepared food and on-the-go necessities tourists and locals alike may need.
Silver: Weibel Ave (Lake & Gilbert)
Bronze: Jones Road, Wilton
T : Treat Shop
Gold: Dairy Häus
Dairy Häus has been delighting Saratogians with its homemade hard and soft ice cream (and signature ice cream cakes!) at its walk-up Maple Ave counter since 1985. Can’t decide on a flavor? Get a flight, which comes with four small dishes of the flavors of your choice. (We’ll take Peanut Butter Overload, Coconut Pistachio, Coffee Oreo and Cherry Chocolate Chunk, please!)
Silver: Mrs. London’s
Bronze: Darling Doughnuts
U : Upscale Dining
Gold: 15 Church
Located in a beautifully restored historic building just steps from Broadway, 15 Church is the epitome of Spa City fine dining. On the menu: fresh seafood (flown in daily), USDA prime aged beef, and other locally sourced and inventive dishes that bridge the gap between classic and exotic. Opt for dinner in the exquisite dining room, or sit on the restaurant’s swanky, sceney enclosed patio until the cool weather hits.
Silver: Solevo Kitchen & Social
Bronze: osteria danny
V : Vegan Food
Gold: 9 Miles East
9 Miles East strives to provide healthy food for busy people with its GO Boxes, ready-to-eat meals made with local ingredients. Many of them are vegetarian, and can easily be made vegan for Saratoga’s most hardcore plant-based eaters. Plus, double-winner 9 Miles East offers a vegan pizza, made with a white bean purée instead of cheese.
Silver: BARE Blends
Bronze: Scallions
W : Weekend Brunch
Gold: Sweet Mimi’s Café & Bakery
When it comes to brunch, do you go sweet or savory? At Sweet Mimi’s, you don’t have to choose! Opt for the savory Huevos Rancheros and a cinnamon bun to go, or go all in on all things sweet with a Belgian Waffle topped with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream. Get there by 7:45am to avoid a wait, or get in line virtually on the NoWait app.
Silver: Max London’s
Bronze: The Adelphi Hotel
X : X-tra Special Occasion Spot
Gold: The Adelphi Hotel
Classic sophistication, rich history and effortless luxury: These are the terms The Adelphi Hotel uses to describe the elegant weddings it holds. A broad collection of event spaces—from the lavish ballroom to the glassed-in atrium—allow couples to create a signature experience for their special day.
Silver: Prime at Saratoga National
Bronze: Longfellows
Y : Yoga Studio
Gold: Yoga Mandali
Located right on Broadway, Yoga Mandali is a Bhakti Yoga center rooted in the ancient traditions of love and devotion. Experienced teachers provide a space for everybody (and every body), offering a range of daily classes, from Yin and Vinyasa to pre- and post-natal, for yogis of all abilities. Want to try it out? Your first class is on the house.
Silver: The Hot Yoga Spot
Bronze: Namaste Yoga / Joy of Yoga (tie)
Z : Zen Spa
Gold: Complexions Spa for Beauty & Wellness
With locations in Saratoga and Albany, Complexions is a place of healing, sanctuary and beauty, offering a full range of spa and salon services. New this summer: Customers can now take a bit of that spa day magic home with products from Dubois Beauty, a new skincare line launched by Complexions owner Denise Dubois.
Silver: Roosevelt Baths & Spa
Bronze: FACES of Saratoga
For the track fashion set, it was the event of the season. Both the well-heeled locals and the A-list out-of-towner racing world crowd filled the (where else?) National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, a meticulously accessorized sea of dresses, fascinators and hats vying for a good seat for the much-anticipated Miss Scarlett fashion show. All were in good spirits thanks to the morning’s less-than-stingy pours of rosé and sparkling wine.
And at the center of it all, in a dapper white seersucker suit for the blisteringly hot summer day, was fashion icon Carson Kressley. “I just love the history and style of Saratoga,” he says. “Everyone looks so great.”
It was, frankly, about time Kressley hosted a big event during Saratoga’s meet. A life-long horse enthusiast who loves telling the story of “conning” his parents into taking him to Saratoga Race Course as a teenager (when looking at colleges, he told them he had to visit Skidmore—in August), he’s judged the Longines Prize for Elegance fashion competition at the Breeders’ Cup and made the rounds to Preakness, the Kentucky Derby and other huge horse events. “Every time I go to Saratoga, it gets better,” he says. His first full day at the track without his parents was back in 2005. “It was just as magical, special, unique, old-fashioned and wonderful as I’d remembered it.”
Kressley grew up on his family’s farm outside of rural Allentown, PA but gracefully made his way to the bright lights of NYC to forge a career in high fashion. “Where I grew up was not a particularly glamorous area, but the ’70s were a glamorous era where people were having parties at home,” he says. “I would watch my mom dress for them; my love affair with clothes started with her.” Always “captivated” by his mother’s glamorous hostess skirts and Bob Mackie–esque, Carol Burnett–worthy dresses, he developed a knack for fashion and as a young adult started to work his way up at Ralph Lauren, eventually landing in the label’s legendary advertising department. But he was soon to discover that his destiny wasn’t nestled solely among the upper crust—he was born to bring fashion to the masses. After an on-a-whim audition won him a role on TV’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, it was a rapid rise from behind-the-scenes work with supermodels to being thrust in the limelight himself. “We shot the pilot in Austin in 2002, and it first aired in July of 2003,” he says. “The next week we were on Ellen and The Tonight Show. It was a bit of an overnight sensation.”
After visiting Saratoga, Kressley, seen here wearing Steven Valenti Clothing for Men, went to Rodney Hicks Stable in Pittsfield, MA to meet his newest horse, Earl, for the first time. Earl was preparing for the World’s Championship in Louisville, KY, under his show name, Flying Private. (Morgan Campbell)
Indeed—and with good reason.
The rise of the “metrosexual” male had created a boom of men’s grooming products and more refined fashion pieces, but there was little out there to help them navigate it all. And the workplace wasn’t the only area demanding a man level up his look—women were more than ready to kiss the era of flannels and baggy jeans good-bye. Magazines such as GQ and the now-defunct Details helped, but Queer Eye helped more. And Kressley, the fashion guru of the show’s “Fab Five,” became the main spokesman. He navigated his way effortlessly from the super-serious fashion shoots of his past to getting sloppy men to laugh at themselves and be open to a cleaner new look. “We’re not here to change you,” he’d assure them. “We’re here to make you better.”
Those five red-hot seasons of doing makeovers on Queer Eye set the stage for his illustrious career. He’s been a judge on eight of the 14 seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race (and its spin-offs), an Emmy-winning juggernaut that has reached millions of viewers since being picked up by VH1 (it was originally on the Logo channel) in 2017. The reality competition series is currently airing in various versions all over the world.
“It’s a show about sparkles and heels and beauty, but it’s also got a lot of comedy, a lot of heart,” Kressley says. “And you’re rooting for people who have been marginalized, or may have been the underdog. I’ve been so lucky to have worked on two shows that were made by queer people about mostly queer stories. Both really celebrate people in our community and show people out there, especially young people, that there’s a place for you, and you can be successful, loved and celebrated.”
Kressley jets all over the world for his work, knows his way around a red carpet, and lives and breathes the fast-paced and glam lifestyle that comes with 20 years in the TV biz. To keep him grounded, Kressley credits his lifelong love of horses. His grandparents, who lived next door to him growing up, were respected breeders of “all the rage” Shetland ponies, and before he knew it, he was a teenager showing Saddlebreds with his big sister.
“Horses have always been my escape,” Kressley says. “Growing up in the country and being the gay kid and feeling a little bit excluded and different…I never felt that in the horse world. And that’s whether I was showing horses or if I was hanging out at the barn, or just literally, as a 10-year-old, after dinner sitting out there with them munching hay all around you, like 20 or 30 ponies. It sounds like an after-school special and very sad, but it was actually such a wonderful way to grow up. It’s always something that makes me feel at home and at ease. I tell this story that there’s nothing more relaxing than being on top of a horse when you’re trying not to die. You must be in that moment and paying attention to them. You can’t be thinking about your mortgage payment or drama at work or a speeding ticket you just got. You’re only thinking about you and the horse and that partnership. It is a fantastic way to disconnect and have a little mental health break.”
After hosting his inaugural big fashion event in Saratoga, Kressley headed to nearby Pittsfield, MA to meet for the first time his newest horse, Earl, whom he bought via video (on Live with Kelly and Ryan the next day, he joked that he’d been thinking, “What if he’s catfishing me?” after raving about how much fun he’d had at the track in Saratoga). At press time, he was a week out from showing Earl at the World’s Championship in Louisville under his horse’s show name, Flying Private. Kressley’s true love for and comfort around his horses is a sight to see, but he also loves the joy and inclusivity at big events such as horse racing meets, where the affluent horse owners are right there with the grooms, and when the race is on no one cares if you’re there with a day pass or are a trainer at the highest level.
When it comes to his serious passion for fashion and horses, Kressley always looks for moments of comedy. (Morgan Campbell)
“That’s even more evident in Saratoga, with the picnic areas and the paddock being an area with everyone seated around,” he says. “It’s really one of those places where you can mix and mingle with everybody and just be there for the party. You can just be a fan of it and travel to great places, wear cute outfits, drink mint juleps, and enjoy the camaraderie and community. I don’t think that happens with football.”
After 20 years of mostly makeover work on TV, Kressley is excited about passing the baton to the next generation and branching out in his own career. The super-successful Queer Eye remake is currently streaming six seasons on Netflix, with fashion designer Tan France in the role that Kressley made famous. “They’ve done an extraordinary job,” Kressley says. “Tan is delightful and so lovely. The thing about him is that he’s always finding the best in people, really embracing the person, and is very positive.”
Kressley’s biggest piece of advice for the new Fab Five? “Document everything! Back when we were doing it, we didn’t even have social media to chronicle everything. So I told all those guys to take lots of pictures, keep a journal and enjoy the amazing ride.”
With that behind him, Kressley says he’ll be on Drag Race “for as long as they’ll have me,” and has his eye on landing his own talk show. “I’ve been dabbling with that and doing some guest hosting,” he says. “So hopefully that will be in my future.” Also in his future? “Showing horses, of course. It’s one of the best sports, because you could be 9 or 90 and still do it.”
In addition to being home to some of horse racing’s most historic and important tracks, New York State has also produced many of the sport’s top horses over the past half-century. And who better to collect their stories than a former historian of Saratoga’s own National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame? Using his vast experience at the museum, Allan Carter, who in April passed away following a battle with cancer, shares the success stories of some of the state’s most cherished racers in this impressive historical narrative.
In the heartfelt autobiographical work Milo’s Eyes: How a Blind Equestrian and Her “Seeing Eye Horse” Rescued Each Other, renowned equestrian and Skidmore alum Lissa Bachner shares the story of how Milo, the 5-year-old horse she nursed back to health after he was mistreated by his previous owner, rescued her when a rare immune disorder threatened and eventually took her eyesight. Against all odds, the duo became one of the country’s most successful riding teams, winning two national rankings and forming an unbreakable bond.
This new novel from Coxsackie resident Cordelia Michelsen tells the story of Harper Monroe, a gifted woman who has the ability to see those who have passed. Paying homage to Michelson’s own life experiences, The In-Between addresses themes of strength, love, loss and healing, and reaches out to those struggling with their own personal battles.
In her new environmental novel, Saratoga-based author Lâle Davidson revisits the violent clashes in Northern California’s Redwood forest between corporate raiders, loggers and activists in the 1990s, forcing readers to look at the story’s relevance to today’s climate. With a mythical twist characteristic of many of Davidson’s books, Against the Grain proves that trees themselves have a surprisingly powerful voice and begs the question: What will it take to wake humans up?
Looking for a new bedtime read for the kids? This story by award-winning author and illustrator Jennifer Sattler, a Saratogian, follows Buckaroo and his beloved horse, Lou. Written to the nursery rhyme of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe,” children are encouraged to count along as Buckaroo and his sidekick journey through the barnyard.
While the excitement of a day at the races can’t be beat, there’s just something magical about being at the track before the first call to post happens. That’s how Saratoga Living photographer Tom Killips spent this racing season: taking in the serenity of morning workouts, and capturing what he saw with his camera. Click through a collection of his stunning images in the gallery above.
Before he achieved immortal status in 1973 by winning the first Triple Crown in 25 years—setting records that still stand in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes en route to becoming a cultural phenomenon—Secretariat became a superstar thanks to an extraordinary 2-year-old season that featured a trio of spectacular performances at Saratoga. So while the rest of the country will celebrate the golden 50th anniversary of his achievements in 2023, locally it’s more fitting to toast our four-legged national hero this year.
Secretariat would go on to inspire a legion of fans—and an award-winning Hollywood movie—but his fate was hardly cemented from birth. In fact, the woman who ushered him to greatness (played by Diane Lane in the film) had a 50/50 chance of not having him at all. By the time of Secretariat’s breeding, Penny Chenery had taken over the day-to-day operations of her family’s Meadow Stud stable after her father, Christopher, had begun experiencing health issues in 1968. She and the esteemed Phipps family had come to an agreement—one that would eventually benefit both parties, albeit in wildly different ways.
Bold Ruler was owned by the Phipps family and at the time had been North America’s leading sire since 1963. (Bold Ruler stood at the historic Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, but the Phipps family owned the majority of the mares to which the stallion was bred, so few of his progeny were ever sold at public auction.) To infuse new blood into their breeding program, the Phipps family on occasion negotiated foal-sharing agreements with other broodmare owners. In exchange for waving Bold Ruler’s stud fee, they would arrange multiple matings with the stallion—in Chenery’s case, matings with two of her mares in two consecutive years. On the assumption two foals were produced in a given year, the Phipps family would keep one and Chenery would retain the other. A coin toss was used to determine who got to choose their horse. Chenery (at the time known as Penny Tweedy, until her 1974 divorce) sent Hasty Matelda and Somethingroyal from her Virginia stable to be bred to Bold Ruler in 1968, and Cicada and Somethingroyal in 1969. The agreement stated that the winner of the coin toss would get first choice of the 1969 foals, while the loser would have to wait until 1970 to have first choice.
A 2-year-old Secretariat with jockey Ron Turcotte at the 1972 Sanford at Saratoga. (Doug Lees)
The history-making coin toss was held in the fall of 1969 in the office of NYRA Chairman Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Jr. Chenery actually lost the coin toss, but ended up winning in the end. Ogden Phipps chose the 1969 weanling filly, named The Bride, out of Somethingroyal. (The Bride never won a race but did later become a stakes producer.) This left Chenery with the Hasty Matelda colt. The next year, however, Cicada did not conceive, leaving Phipps empty-handed and Chenery, the coin toss “loser,” with the foal of Somethingroyal, which was due in the spring of 1970. He would be named Secretariat, and managing his career would change Chenery’s life. The Phipps family, meanwhile, did benefit from Chenery’s success, as Bold Ruler once again became North America’s leading sire in 1973 thanks in large part to Secretariat’s exploits.
The bright-red chestnut was born shortly after midnight on March 30, 1970, and joined trainer Lucien Laurin’s winter stable at Hialeah Park in Florida in early 1972. Secretariat quickly earned a reputation as a kind and intelligent horse and had a desired physique, but he was clumsy in his early training. After several months, however, Laurin believed the Meadow colt was ready to make his debut. Secretariat was a 3-1 favorite in his first career start at Aqueduct on July 4, 1972. At the start of the 5½-furlong contest a horse named Quebec cut in front of the field, causing a chain of events that led to Secretariat’s being bumped hard and shuffled back in the field of 12. More trouble ensued on the backstretch when Secretariat and jockey Paul Feliciano found significant traffic trouble. In 10th at the top of the stretch, Secretariat quickly made up significant ground on the leaders and finished fourth, beaten by Herbull by only 1½ lengths.
Eleven days later, Secretariat was favored at 6-5 going six furlongs in a field of 11 at Aqueduct. With Feliciano again in the irons, Secretariat broke poorly but proved to be superior to his competition, rolling to a six-length victory. The New York racing scene then transitioned upstate to Saratoga. At the Spa, Ron Turcotte, the regular rider for Meadow Stable, replaced Feliciano as Secretariat’s pilot.
At Saratoga, the legend of Secretariat began.
With Turcotte up, Secretariat earned an impressive allowance victory at Saratoga on July 31, covering six furlongs in 1:104⁄5 as the 2-5 favorite. “You carry an ideal around in your head, and boy, I thought, ‘This is it,’” legendary sportswriter Charles Hatten said after Secretariat’s first Spa victory. “I never saw perfection before. I absolutely could not fault him in any way. And neither could the rest of them and that was the amazing thing about it. The body and the head and the eye and the general attitude. It was just incredible. I couldn’t believe my eyes, frankly.”
Next up for Secretariat was the historic Sanford Stakes, a Saratoga fixture since 1913 that was notable as the only race Man o’ War ever lost. Secretariat did not suffer the same fate; his Sanford was a tour de force. Facing off with the highly regarded Linda’s Chief—the only horse ever to be favored against Secretariat—the emerging Meadow star had his work cut out for him in the stretch. Impeded by horses in front of him, Turcotte moved Secretariat through the field “like a hawk scattering a barnyard of chickens,” according to Daily Racing Form. At the finish, Secretariat was three lengths clear of Linda’s Chief. The final time for six furlongs was 1:10. Andrew Beyer, covering the race for the Washington Star, wrote, “Never have I watched a lightly raced 2-year-old stamp himself so definitively as a potential great.”
Secretariat was even better 10 days later in the Hopeful Stakes, which was first contested at Saratoga in 1903 and had been won by greats such as Regret, Man o’ War, Whirlaway, Native Dancer, Nashua and Buckpasser. For most of the Hopeful, Secretariat looked
to be out of contention.
“He was shuffled back to last place soon after the start,” the New York Times reported. “Secretariat, for all intents and purposes, was not in the hunt as the field hit into the stretch run.”
But that didn’t last long. “The achievement of Secretariat was made most remarkable, even in view of his expected triumph, by his lightning forward thrust,” the Times continued. “Suddenly, as if activated by coiled springs, Secretariat was up front, enjoying a head advantage over Sunny South. After that the Meadow Stable colt went his own way, extending his lead over his foes with every stride.”
Penny Chener7, Secretariat’s owner, went on to breed and own racehorses including Eclipse Award–winner Saratoga Dew, who now has a stakes race at the Spa named after her. (Doug Lees)
At the finish line, Secretariat was five lengths in front of Flight to Glory for his fourth win in five starts. The time of 1:161⁄5 for 6½ furlongs was three-fifths of a second off the track record.
Turcotte said Secretariat “took himself back as he usually does right after the break. I let him settle into stride and he began to pick up on his own as we came up to the half-mile pole. By the time we straightened out, he was in front. Through the stretch he just kept reaching out without pressure.”
The Times added that Secretariat’s Hopeful win was achieved with “contemptuous ease” and the result “was a fitting one for the final program of the Saratoga season.”
Secretariat’s exploits at Saratoga confirmed his star status. He then made his Belmont Park debut on September 16, winning the prestigious Futurity by 1½ lengths. In October, Secretariat was favored at 7-10 in the Champagne. He flew past his rivals turning for home and crossed the finish line first by two lengths, but the stewards disqualified him for bearing in and interfering with Stop the Music, who was declared the winner. Secretariat was placed second. Two weeks later, Secretariat had no trouble trouncing Stop the Music by eight lengths in the Laurel Futurity. He then closed out his season November 18 with a 3½-length victory as the 1-10 favorite in the Garden State Futurity in New Jersey. Secretariat again dropped behind the field early before gobbling up his rivals turning for home. Laurin, not one to normally speak in reverential tones about young horses, was simply in awe of Secretariat’s talent.
“In all his races, he has taken the worse of it by coming from behind, usually circling his field,” the trainer said. “A colt has to be a real runner to do this consistently and get away with it.”
With a record of 7-1-0 from nine starts and earnings of $456,404, Secretariat was an easy choice for Champion 2-Year-Old Male in the balloting for the still-new Eclipse Awards, which were established in 1971, and, in a rare occurrence for a juvenile, was named Horse of the Year as well. Prior to Secretariat, only Commando (1900), Colin (1907), Native Dancer (1952) and Moccasin (1965) had earned pre-Eclipse Horse of the Year titles as a 2-year-old (Native Dancer and Moccasin were both co–Horse of the Year winners). Since the establishment of the Eclipse Awards, only Secretariat and Favorite Trick (1997) have won Horse of the Year as juveniles.
It was an enormous honor for a tremendous horse—a year before his Triple Crown clean sweep caught the attention of fans nationwide. And that is why in Saratoga, we’re celebrating Secretariat’s 50-year anniversary “early.” As for Chenery, after making a name for herself, in a field dominated by men, no less, she eventually left Virginia for Long Island and kept breeding and racing. Her horse Saratoga Dew made history by becoming the first New York–bred horse to win an Eclipse Award, another feather in her cap and nod to The Spa, the setting for Secretariat’s spectacular 1972 summer.
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