Author: Saratoga TODAY

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), the nation’s oldest and largest Thoroughbred retirement organization, proudly announces the return of the Belmont Pledge, an initiative led by a dedicated group of trainers committed to supporting retired racehorses beyond their racing careers.

Trainers Michael McCarthy, George Weaver, Whit Beckman, and Amelia Green have once again pledged a portion of their earnings from the Belmont Festival to benefit the TRF and its mission of providing dignified lifetime care to retired Thoroughbreds.

”I am heartened by the support from Michael, George, Whit and Amelia,” said, Maggie Sweet, Executive Director. They were all eager to take this pledge for the second year in a row, which shows their awareness of aftercare as a natural part of a racehorse’s lifecycle. We hope other forward-thinking trainers, owners, and jockeys will join our pledge.” 

The TRF currently provides dignified lifetime care for hundreds of retired Thoroughbreds across the country, many of whom live two decades or more beyond their racing careers. 

The TRF invites additional trainers, owners, and jockeys to become part of the Belmont Pledge and stand behind the long-term responsibility of Thoroughbred aftercare.

Amateur Photographers are invited to take some photos and submit them to the Photography Exhibit at the Schuylerville Garden Club’s Annual Standard Flower Show. The show entitled “America the Beautiful” will be held on July 11 and July 12 at the Town Hall, 12 Spring Street in Schuylerville, NY.  

The photography section is entitled “Across the Country.”  The classes are as follows:

Class 1 “In the Country” – A landscape scene from anywhere in the USA

Class 2 “In the Water” – A water scene from anywhere in the USA

Class 3 “In the Garden” – A close-up of a single flower.

All photos must be the work of the exhibitor.  Photos must be 8 x 10 inches matted in a white 11×14 inch mat. Photos must be pre-registered. For details and an entry form, visit www.schuylervillegardenclub.com or call Nancy Derway, Photography Chairman, at 518-796-4797 campderway@yahoo.com. 

 In past years, the Photo Exhibit has been enjoyed by the Flower Show attendees with prizes being awarded by public voting.  In addition to the Photo Exhibit, the show will include Horticulture and Floral Design competition classes, plant, glove and bake sales, a benefit table with prizes and special exhibits. Refreshments and admission to the show will be free. 

The Saratoga Lake Association (“SLA”), in collaboration with the Environmental Studies Department at Skidmore College, has released a series of new scientific studies documenting the growing impact of winter road salt on the water quality, soils, and aquatic ecosystems of Saratoga Lake and its watershed.

The reports, completed during 2025 and 2026, found elevated chloride and conductivity levels in tributaries and within Saratoga Lake itself, confirming that road salt pollution has become a persistent environmental issue affecting the lake system year-round. The studies also concluded that chloride from road salt accumulates in soils, groundwater, tributaries, and lake sediments over long periods of time and may contribute to the mobilization of heavy metals in aquatic environments.

Importantly, the Saratoga Lake Association emphasized that the studies are not intended as criticism of local highway departments but rather demonstrate the importance of continued collaboration and innovation in balancing public safety with environmental protection.

“Some municipalities in the Saratoga Lake watershed have shown meaningful leadership and a willingness to adopt modern salt reduction technologies and practices,” said John Cashin, Board Member of the Saratoga Lake Association. “These highway departments deserve substantial credit for recognizing the issue and proactively implementing improvements while continuing to maintain safe winter roads.”

The studies highlighted the efforts of the highway departments in the Towns of Wilton, Greenfield, Malta, and Saratoga for adopting or advancing best management practices designed to reduce unnecessary salt use.

Among the accomplishments recognized:

• The Town of Wilton Highway Department under Highway Superintendent Mike Monroe has implemented extensive salt reduction initiatives, including the use of salt brine systems, computerized application technology, GPS-assisted spreading calibration, and “live edge” segmented plow blades that adjust to varying road surfaces and reduce waste. Wilton has also incorporated environmentally safer additives for low-temperature applications.

• The Town of Greenfield Highway Department under Highway Superintendent Darren Barss continues advancing a comprehensive sustainable salt reduction strategy developed with WIT Advisers. Greenfield is transitioning toward liquid applications and installing GPS-integrated metering systems on its fleet. The Town is also upgrading Road Weather Information System (RWIS) stations that provide real-time pavement and atmospheric data to improve application precision.

• The Town of Malta Highway Department under Highway Superintendent Roger Crandall has participated in regional salt reduction initiatives and continues evaluating technologies and operational practices including “live edge” plow blades designed to optimize application rates while maintaining roadway safety.

• The Town of Saratoga Highway Department under Highway Superintendent Ryan Campbell demonstrated one of the strongest downward trends in municipal salt purchases over the 2019–2026 study period, suggesting meaningful progress in salt management practices.

The Skidmore studies found that tributaries associated with developed areas and heavily traveled roadways showed the highest conductivity and chloride concentrations. Researchers documented winter runoff spikes at levels considered harmful to aquatic life and warned that chloride pollution can remain in freshwater systems for decades.

The SLA also released a separate analysis of municipal road salt purchase data from the four municipalities contiguous to Saratoga Lake. The data showed that approximately 82,861 tons of road salt were purchased between 2019 and 2026. At the same time, municipal costs for road salt have risen sharply, reinforcing that salt reduction strategies can provide both environmental and financial benefits.

The Saratoga Lake Association stressed that safer and more efficient winter road management practices are achievable through modern technology, calibration, brining, operator training, and better real-time weather data.

“These highway departments are proving that environmental stewardship and public safety are not mutually exclusive,” Cashin said. “Their willingness to innovate should serve as a model throughout the Saratoga Lake watershed and across New York State.”

The Saratoga Lake Association and Skidmore College plan to continue monitoring Saratoga Lake and its tributaries in future winter seasons to better understand long-term chloride accumulation and evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing reduction efforts.