The aftermath of the fire at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds’ Eastview Farm in Stillwater. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
STILLWATER — McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, a family-owned horse breeding farm based in Saratoga Springs, lost two hay barns and several smaller buildings in a fire last weekend at its Eastview Farm property in Stillwater. No people or horses were harmed. As of press time, the exact cause of the fire was unknown, though it’s believed to have originated in one of the hay barns.
A video shared with a local Facebook group on July 5 showed large plumes of gray smoke rising above a barn completely engulfed in flames. Horses in a nearby enclosure could be seen galloping away from the fire.
The farm’s co-founder Joe McMahon told Saratoga TODAY that he estimated somewhere between 1,000 and 1,500 large bales of hay were lost in the fire, which destroyed much of the property’s storage facilities.
“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the community for its swift response and unwavering support,” McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds said in a statement. “The quick action from our local first responders and volunteer firefighters was instrumental in preventing the situation from becoming worse, and we are forever thankful for their bravery and dedication. Your efforts made all the difference, and we can’t thank you enough.”
The company encouraged those offering support to consider donating to organizations like the Thoroughbred Charities of America or local fire departments.
“Your support during this time means more to us than words can express,” the statement continued. “We are truly grateful to be part of such an incredible community, and with your continued support, we will rebuild and continue to care for our horses to the highest standard.”
McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds was founded in 1971 and has produced a number of notable race horses, including 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide, and the Grade 1 winner Instant Friendship. The fire was the first in the farm’s 55-year history.
The Leavitt paddock, an original component of the 1902 W.C. Whitney rebuild of Saratoga Race course, which functions presently as the NYRA pari-mutuel annex and racing office. Author provided image.
William C. Whitney presided over a consortium which assumed ownership of the Saratoga Race Course during the late autumn of 1900. Under his leadership, the racing plant underwent a major improvement, entailing relocating and enlarging the track and repositioning all the structures surrounding it. His long-range vision of this development, which also involved purchasing additional acres, resulted in what we are familiar with presently, much to the benefit of a grateful posterity, who continue years and generations of enjoyment.
The track we know today, with its special mystique, was completed for the 1902 season under the direction of architect Charles W. Leavitt. During this same period, Mr. Whitney was simultaneously involved with building the new Belmont Park on Long Island, also under the design and direction of Mr. Leavitt.
As to be expected with two separate projects under the management of the same connections, some design coincidences occurred at the Spa and Belmont Park. This would dictate some shared designs at both facilities, with the paddocks being sensational examples of this fortuitous overlap.
Charles Leavitt designed the elliptical paddock building ready for the 1902 Saratoga season and also at the original Belmont Park, which opened in 1905, with a similar elliptical structure, only slightly larger. The New York version provided 36 stalls, while at Saratoga, 25 stalls sufficed.
The distinctive oval shaped roofs of these paddock buildings were supported by wood trusses with iron bracing, supported on simple posts. The unusual hip-ellipse roof employed slate and a series of dormers for ventilation. The shape of the structures’ form followed the function of their purpose, to allow for saddling and walking of horses before going to post, while providing shelter from the sun and elements. The structures provided an area of inspection for the paddock judge, owners, trainers, jockeys and spectators, with proper separation of all those scrutinizing the runners before proceeding to the walking ring. The picturesque setting and nearness of the horses being prepared under the fountain elms had long distinguished Saratoga’s charm and separated it from other race venues.
An additional successful use of the paddock buildings, which were a type of open-view barn, was their supplementary use as a horse auction ring.
Belmont Park had an unusual requirement for Architect Leavitt, where it had been decided to use the European-style clockwise direction on the race track, sometimes referred to as “Continental” style differing from the American-standard of counter-clock racing direction when the track was built.
Champion Man o’ War was sold at auction as a yearling at the Saratoga elliptical paddock in 1918, and was later saddled in the Belmont elliptical paddock in 1920 where the Hall of Famer won the Belmont Stakes, which was interestingly the last to be contested in the “Continental” style.
After the Belmont Fall Meet of 1920, the racing direction was revised from a clockwise direction. This placed the clubhouse and paddock on the wrong side of the finish line, and the unique paddock was cast-off for parking and later demolished for still more parking space.
The graceful elliptical Leavitt Paddock at the Spa was modified by NYRA into a pari-mutuel annex and racing offices in 1963, and continues in that use presently. Many have expressed the opinion that returning the paddock building to its original purpose would add yet another marvelous aspect to racing at Saratoga.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Casino Hotel and Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association recently announced Sunset Saturdays, weekly events featuring live harness racing, food trucks, and activities at the casino hotel. The events run every Saturday until August 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Post time on Saturdays is 6:45 p.m., with free parking and admission for all guests.
Every Sunset Saturday will include the Winners gourmet ice cream food truck, and every theme night will include a drawing where guests can enter to win a YETI cooler, Solo stove, or electric smoker.
SUNSET SATURDAYS SCHEDULE
• July 12: Carnival Theme Night with NY Sire Stakes Races and Di Folco’s Roaming Occasions food truck
• July 19: Gerrity Night with NY Sire Stakes Races and Ted’s Fish Fry food truck
• July 26: Charity Match Race Night and Neighborhood Kitchen food truck
• August 2: Baseball cap giveaway and Fired Up pizza
• August 9: Dog Days of Summer Theme Night and NY Sire Stakes Races featuring $2 hot dogs, weiner dog races, a corn dog eating competition, and adoptable puppies from Lucky Puppy Rescue
• August 16: Cooler bag giveaway and Ty’s Taco-ria food truck
• August 23: BBQ, Brews and Country Tunes Theme Night with DJ Kevin Richards and Miller’s Backyard BBQ
For complete event details, visit www.saratogacasino.com.
Owner/trainer James “Jamie” Bentley Begg in the paddock at the Saratoga Race Course.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Each year, owners and trainers try establishing a plan or goal going into the Saratoga Race Course meet.
James “Jamie” Bentley Begg is just one of them as both an owner and trainer.
Stabled at Barn 42 that runs parallel to Union Avenue, Begg looks to build upon his stable while trying to eclipse his first two Saratoga wins—both from Locke and Key—in 2023.
“It would be nice to eclipse that,” the King City, Ontario native said. “Getting a couple of wins would be part of the goal. Every year when you come here, it’s a tough meet. I want to be competitive in all of the races.”
Begg is well aware of the Saratoga competition after being an assistant to Hall of Famer Mark Casse for six years. During his time with Casse, Begg had the opportunity to work with Belmont Stakes-winner Sir Winston, two-time Fourstardave-winner Got Stormy, Adirondack and Spinaway-winner Perfect Alibi, and Sovereign Award for Horse of the Year Catch a Glimpse, just to name a few.
Along with working for another Hall of Fame trainer, Roger Attfield, Begg has also been involved in producing horses after completing the Thoroughbred Breeding Management program at the prestigious Irish National Stud. That experience led him to producing multiple stakes horses and being an owner of Kingstead Stables in Ontario.
Begg, who became a trainer near the end of 2020, currently has five horses stabled at Saratoga, with another 10 horses at his Woodbine base in Toronto. His past experience learning from others has helped him become successful as a trainer.
“Working with those top-class horses, you know what it takes to win those races,” Begg said. “If you started from the bottom and didn’t have those prior experiences, you could build your stable, but you wouldn’t necessarily know what it takes [to get to that next level]. As they say in professional sports, being a pro, you see pro habits. It’s the same thing with training. You see really good training.”
Two of those horses—Stewie and Loveumissumeanit—have already run at Saratoga this year as part of the special meets, the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and the July 4th Racing Festival.
Stewie chased Midwest shipper I’m Wide Awake to finish second in an allowance race during that first week of June. While Stewie is still looking for his first win since early September at Finger Lakes, the 4-year-old gelding has been no worse than third in his last 6-of-8 starts and has been back on the workout tab since his last race with the hopes of getting a start at Saratoga.
On Saturday, Loveumissumeanit rated behind a quick pace, then made a belated run to eventually finish 1 ½ lengths behind winner National Archive in an allowance race for New York-breds on the grass. It was the first time she raced at 1 3/16 miles after running at shorter route distances, mostly a mile.
“We were looking at starting the meet like that,” Begg said. “As much as she didn’t get her up there in time, we wanted to stretch her in distance. Cutting her back to a mile or a mile-and-a-sixteenth, she may become more engaged in the race.”
Loveumissumeanit was initially purchased as a yearling for $100,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipon New York-bred sales in Saratoga. After she finished third in her debut for trainer Chad Brown in November, she was put up for auction a month later at the Fasig-Tipton Digital Sales where Begg purchased her for $40,000.
Since the auction, Loveumissumeanit showed improvement in Florida before winning her first race in May. Begg also likes the benefit of her, as well as his other horses, being part of the New York-bred program.
“There were a few fillies that we were trying to get and we got her,” Begg said. “I had her in Florida this winter and she was doing okay. Coming out of Florida, she really blossomed. She’s training a lot better than when I initially got her.”
“Competing in New York with not having a lot of top money, the state program is beneficial here,” he added. “With her being a New York-bred, it was appealing. It was good timing, and we had enough time to start working with her [going into the New York turf season].”
Of the other horses that are part of Begg’s Saratoga roster, an unnamed New York-bred 2-year-old colt by graded stakes winner Bourbon Courage could be promising for Mike McMahon and Jaime Hill’s Bourbon Lane Stables after being purchased for $55,000 at the Midlantic Sales in May.
Begg has also been active around the claiming box at Saratoga. He was on the winning end of a three-way shake on Takeschargesmiling for $12,500 in Sunday’s eighth race. He believes Saratoga is the ideal place to claim horses for both short-term and long-term benefits.
“We have always been with the claiming horses,” Begg said. “A lot of guys will claim because their owners want horses for Saratoga. They will start claiming everything. To me, Saratoga should be the place to shop for claiming horses for the rest of the year. It’s really finding horses for certain spots where they can be competitive.”
Begg knows the claiming game can be challenging and competitive, especially when a trainer is trying to win a race while knowing the risk to lose a horse through a claim. Once that horse is claimed, it may be difficult for the previous trainer to watch that horse gain immediate success through someone else’s barn.
“The claiming here is tough,” Begg said. “There are certain times when you have to watch the claims. You get the horse claimed, and the guy wins at the same claiming price a couple of months later. For a trainer who is going for the [meet] title, that is where you really have to be careful.”
Over the last two weeks, Begg’s horses at Woodbine have been running well, including three winners. He is hoping that momentum can carry into the upcoming Saratoga meet, but he also knows that will be a challenging task, even with trying to match last year’s pair of victories.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga race meet begins in earnest this week after two unusual appetizers. The conclusion of the July 4th Racing Festival paves the way for the traditional (at least recent traditional) mid-July opening.
While it’s debatable whether the July 4th Racing Festival was an on-track success, as the attendance was not stellar, there is no question it was a smashing mutuel handle success. The amount bet on the four days of racing easily eclipsed and surpassed the amounts bet on the same days downstate in prior years. Betting on the four-day meet was so strong that it came at the expense of competing tracks during the same four days, making the New York Racing Association offerings by far the leader of the weekend. Despite official denials that this festival will remain at Saratoga once the new Belmont racetrack is completed, it’s hard to imagine the New York Racing Association eschewing a repeat next July 4th.
DEBUT RUNNERS
The Saratoga race meet is usually replete with races for well-bred maidens representing the future stars of the sport. Such races teem with potential stars making their debuts and if you want to be able to say you saw a good one race the first time, Saratoga is the place to do so.
This year, even before the start of the official meet, we have seen some good ones. Last week, the 2-year-old New York-bred filly Iron Orchard was rumored to be a good one. She was, and her debut makes this $500,000 purchase look like money well spent.
The male version of the same race run the following day saw another high-priced purchase run debut with an eye-catching stride while finishing third. The fancifully named Nowucme Nowudont, a son of Good Magic, figures to be heard from in the future in a big way.
Continuing the parade of expensive two-year old first-time starters was the cleverly named colt Ewing, sired by freshman sire Knicks Go. The Mark Casse trainee won easily and will likely be seen in stakes company next.
Another impressive debut, this one with talent well-hidden from the public, came in the last race of the festival when the Michael Dubb-owned, Rick Dutrow-trained Hangover Heaven slingshotted to the lead while extremely wide on the turn and romped to victory at a generous price. The gamble to offer this late debuting three-year-old for a tag paid off as there were no takers. Stealthy talent was commonplace decades ago when keeping a first timer’s ability hidden was not difficult, but in today’s world of video workouts, workout reports, and high scrutiny, this effort was truly remarkable.
RUFFIAN
Last weekend marked the 50th anniversary of the tragic breakdown of the brilliant filly Ruffian in an ill-conceived match race at Belmont Park against top three-year-old colt Foolish Pleasure. The match race, spurred in part by the success of the Billy Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs “Battle of the Sexes” tennis exhibition, was a low point in modern racing history. Running for a huge purse of $400,000, Ruffian and Foolish Pleasure raced in tandem down the Belmont backstretch only to see Ruffian suffer a fatal injury early in the race and Foolish Pleasure eerily run alone to the wire. For those of us who were there (and those who remember), it was a somber day and set back racing significantly. It is hard to overstate how magnificent Ruffian was and the expectations her fans, including this writer, had for her. The match race, a concept largely fueled by bravado, is not one racing should ever embrace again.
THE WILSON CHUTE
Readers of this column (as well as my family, friends, and acquaintances) have heard me repeatedly express my distaste for the Wilson Chute. While it is a necessary evil for races that are removed from the turf courses due to weather conditions, the carding of races specifically with a start out of view of on-track patrons and that provides an unfair start has always struck me as unwise. It appears the new racing secretary, Rob MacLennan, agrees with me (at least early in the meet), as no dirt races utilizing the Wilson Chute are contained in the first two racing books of the season. Here’s hoping that continues.
FIRE/FLOOD
Last week saw two Saratoga enterprises suffer sudden damage. McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Stillwater lost two hay barns and several smaller buildings to fire. No people or horses were harmed, and the farm expects to continue operating. On the same weekend, Northshire Bookstore on Broadway in Saratoga suffered flood damage that has closed the Saratoga staple right as the racing season begins. Rachel Person, Director of Special Events, told me “We are determined to reopen in early August and in the meantime, we will have alternate arrangements for our scheduled events.” Keep both businesses in mind as they will appreciate your support.
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the lineup of attractions, entertainment, and events for the 2025 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course.
Highlighted by the 156th edition of the Grade I, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on Saturday, August 23, and the Grade I, $1 million Whitney on Saturday, August 2, the 40-day summer meet will open on Thursday, July 10 and run through Monday, September 1.
Following the four-day opening week, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.
First post will be 1:10 p.m. every day except Saturdays, when first post will be 12:35 p.m. The only exceptions are Whitney Day featuring a 12:05 p.m. first post and DraftKings Travers Day with first post at 11:40 a.m. Post times for Labor Day weekend will be announced at a later date.
Admission gates will open for live racing at 11 a.m. for all but Whitney Day, when gates will open at 10 a.m. and DraftKings Travers Day, when gates will open at 9 a.m.
Thurs. July 10-Sun. July 13:
Opening Weekend
The 2025 Saratoga summer meet will get underway on Thursday, July 10, highlighted by the Listed De La Rose stakes, followed by the Grade III Coronation Cup on Friday and the first Grade I of the season, the Dunkin’ Diana, on Saturday.
Rick Violette (NYB): 3YO, 1 1/16 – Turf, Purse $150,000
Friday, July 11
Saratoga Summer Tour T-Shirt Giveaway
The first giveaway of the traditional summer meet is a red, high performance concert-style tour tee. The t-shirt features a silhouette of the Saratoga Race Course Grandstand and a schedule with the meet’s stakes races on the back. Presented by NYRA Bets, the cool and comfortable t-shirt will be available in two sizes: medium and extra-large; free with paid admission, while supplies last.
sunday, july 13:
Saratoga-Con presented by Miller Lite:
Bar hop the Spa! Wear your most extravagant Saratoga outfit and join the party. Each $10 ticket includes four drinks (one at each bar stop), plus fun activations & giveaways along the way. 21+ only.
Thursdays-Sundays:
Breakfast & Breeding Farm Tour:
See firsthand how racehorses begin their journeys! Each ticket includes a buffet breakfast during morning training at Saratoga, a round-trip trolley ride from the track to the day’s designated farm, a guided walking tour of the farm, and same-day admission to Saratoga Race Course.
Backstage crew members prepare for the New York City Ballet’s annual residency at SPAC. (right) New York City Ballet Production Stage Manager Jacqueline Reid shows off a costume used in “Coppélia.” Photos by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Five tractor-trailers hauled lavish sets, hundreds of intricate costumes, and more than 1,000 gleaming ballet shoes into the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Monday morning in preparation for the New York City Ballet’s (NYCB) 59th annual residency in the Spa City, which began on July 9 and concludes on Saturday, July 12.
Also arriving at Saratoga for the residency (though not in tractor-trailers) were more than 90 dancers, as well as dozens of members of the New York City Ballet Orchestra.
This year’s performances include the full-length story ballet “Coppélia,” which held its world premiere at SPAC in 1974; Jerome Robbins’ spirited “In G Major,” an audience favorite set to Giuseppe Verdi melodies; George Balanchine’s “Stravinsky Violin Concerto”; and Justin Peck’s newest work “Mystic Familiar,” which will have its SPAC premiere.
“Nowhere else in the world outside of New York City does the full company of dancers and musicians present a robust week of repertoire, every single year,” said Elizabeth Sobol, president and CEO of SPAC, in a statement. “SPAC is unique and incredibly fortunate to be able to bring these world-class artists to our community.”
Called “story ballet done to perfection” by The New York Times, George Balanchine’s “Coppélia” will feature scenery and costumes by Rouben Ter-Artunian, as well as lighting by Mark Stanley. Included in the cast will be around 30 local children, who began auditioning for their roles in early March.
“Mystic Familiar” is set to an original score by composer Dan Deacon, who also provided the score for Peck’s 2017 ballet “The Times Are Racing” and Francis Ford Coppola’s 2011 film “Twixt.” The set design will feature a backdrop by the Los Angeles-based visual artist Eamon Ore-Giron, whose work was featured in the 2024 Whitney Biennial.
Here is the full NYCB performance schedule at SPAC:
Coppélia
July 9 @ 7:30 p.m.
July 10 @ 7:30 p.m.
July 11 @ 7:30 p.m.
July 12 @ 2 p.m.
“Mystic Familiar” + “In G Major” + “Stravinsky Violin Concerto”
July 11 @ 2 p.m.
July 12 @ 7:30 p.m.
For tickets or more information, visit spac.org.
SPAC Offering Free Dance Workshops
Last week, SPAC and the NYCB announced that they would offer a series of free dance workshops for children, teens, and adults of all abilities on July 10 and 12.
Held at the SPAC School of the Arts, the workshops are led by NYCB dancers and the choreography is inspired by “Coppélia.” Additional access workshops will feature modifications so that participants of all abilities feel welcome.
New York City Ballet Workshop Schedule:
July 10 @ 5:15 p.m.: NYCB Ballet Essentials Workshop, Access Workshop for Teens and Adults
July 12 @ 10 a.m.: Children’s Access Workshop
July 12 @ 12 p.m.: Children’s Workshop, In Motion Workshop
For more details on the workshops, visit spac.org.
Saratoga Central Catholic valedictorian Raphael Sanok, left, will be attending The Rochester Institute of Technology for physics. Salutatorian David Mattes, right will be attending Catholic University for mechanical engineering (Courtesy of Saratoga Central Catholic School)
Ballston Spa valedictorian Audrey Bedell will be going for her degree in biomedical engineering this fall. (Courtesy of Ballston Spa High School)
Ballston Spa salutatorian Christine Jiang will be going for a degree in political science this fall. (Courtesy of Ballston Spa High School)
While summer in Saratoga is typically ushered in with horse races and tourists, it also marks the end of a long journey for many young Saratoga Springs area residents — High School graduation.
With the sound of Pomp and Circumstance fading in the distance, here is a brief look at the achievements of local graduates.
Ballston Spa
Ballston Spa High School Valedictorian for the class of 2025 is Audrey Bedell. Bedell has a GPA of 99.508 and graduated with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and Honors with Mastery in Mathematics and Science. During her time at Ballston Spa High School, Bedell was enrolled in sixteen college and honors level courses.
Outside of the classroom, Bedell was a three-time medalist for the Science Olympiad, a member of National Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society, and played viola in symphonic orchestra, pit orchestra, All County Orchestra and New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Orchestra. Bedell plans on pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering in college.
Ballston Spa’s Salutatorian for the 2025 class is Christine Jiang. Jiang has a GPA of 99.23 and 508 and graduated with a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation and Honors with Mastery in Mathematics and Science. During her time at Ballston Spa High School Jiang was enrolled in 20 college level, AP, honors and International Baccalaureate classes and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Candidate.
Outside the classroom, Jiang was a member of the cross country and track teams, was secretary of the National Honor Society chapter and was a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society as well as the Students Helping Students and True Crime Club. Jiang will be pursuing a degree in political science in the fall.
Students also receiving honors for being in the top 10 of their class include Noland Schmitt, Tucker Cornell, Collin Flynn, Kayleigh Cassels, Jacqueline Horsch, Mia Collins, Jessica Bowens, and Ethan Norris.
Schuylerville High School
The Valedictorian for Schuylerville High School Class of 2025 is Holly Price. Price is heavily involved in her community — both in and out of the classroom. In her time at Schuylerville, Price was involved in 11 clubs — achieving leadership roles in two of them — played on the JV girls basketball team and varsity tennis team and was volunteered throughout her community which included being a weekly volunteer at the library, assisting with the Middle School Drama Club and caroling at nursing homes. She has received the Rensselaer Medal Award, the CASDA Capitol Region Students and Teachers who Make a Difference Award and the Black Horse Excellence Award — among many others.
This fall, Price will be attending Colgate University studying neuroscience and French.
The Salutatorian for Schuylerville High School Class of 2025 is Grace Lail. In her time at Schuylerville, Lail was involved with 10 different clubs and organizations on campus, participating in unified basketball and was involved with five different community service organizations. Some of her awards include the St. Michael’s Book Award, Black Horses Excellence Award and National Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award — among others.
This fall, Lail will be attending William and Mary College studying music and French.
Zooming out to the rest of the class: 21 Schuylerville students ended their high school career with a GPA of 96 or higher, 16 received Advanced Regents Diplomas with Honors, 44 received Advanced Regents Diplomas, 54 received Regents Diplomas, 25 received CDOS Commencement Credentials and 17 students received a technical endorsement on their Diploma.
As for next steps, 68 students will be entering a four-year college or university, 20 will be entering a two-year college, 15 will be entering the workforce, 3 will be entering trade school, 1 student will be going to Belgium for an exchange program and one student will be entering flight training.
Saratoga Central Catholic School
The Valedictorian for Saratoga Central Catholic School Class of 2025 is Raphael Sanok. Sanok has spent his entire education thus far in the Catholic Education system as he’s an alumnus of St. Mary’s Academy in Glens Falls. Sanok will be attending the Rochester Institute of Technology with the intent to major in physics.
The Salutatorian for Saratoga Central Catholic School class of 2025 is David Mattes. Mattes is an alumnus of St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa — having spent his entire education in the Catholic System— and will continue in Catholic education for college. Sanok will be attending The Catholic University of America this fall with the intent to major in mechanical engineering.
Zooming out, of the 30 students, close to 70% will be attending college for a STEM field and close to 30% will be going for business related majors. The class received over $9.7 million in scholarships and were accepted to over 100 colleges. Five students will be participating in collegiate athletics — four of them from the legendary baseball team that won a state championship.
An image posted to PJ’s BAR-B-QSA’s website announcing the restaurant’s closure.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — PJ’s BAR-B-QSA, a barbecue restaurant that had been in business for 42 years, officially closed its doors for good last weekend after being shuttered since late October.
In a statement posted to its website, the company said it had a pending sale on the property at 1 Kaydeross Ave W that is scheduled to close in mid-September.
The company also said it would retain ownership of its original recipes, trademarks, logos, and theme in the hope that someone might be interested in licensing them.
“Our journey began over five decades ago with a small catering business working out of our garage, and thanks to all of you, it evolved into a beloved local institution,” owners PJ and Carolyn Davis said in their statement. “From the very beginning, this has been a family effort, and we’re deeply proud of what we’ve built together.”
PJ and Carolyn thanked their son, daughter, the City of Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, and the local community at large for their support over the years.
PJ’s BAR-B-QSA had been a seasonal restaurant from 1984 until 2011, before staying open year-round in 2012. Its decision to close for the winter in October 2024 led to speculation that the business might stay closed for good.
The eatery hosted a variety of events over the years, including Classic Car Nights, Bike Nights, and charity events. It was also an official Buffalo Bills Backers location, serving as a gathering place for Bills fans to watch games.
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 11-race program getting underway at 1:10 p.m.
Sunglasses Giveaway
The first 15,000 fans through the gates will receive a complimentary pair of red Saratoga-branded sunglasses, featuring a mirror shield and the Saratoga Race Course logo.
free admission for first responders, veterans & military members:
All first responders, active military and veterans will receive free admission with valid ID.
Carnival Games:
Fans can enjoy horse-themed carnival games with prizes all day long, located just outside of the Taste NY Pavillion.
Saratoga Springs Fireworks:
Following the conclusion of racing, fans can head downtown for Saratoga’s All-American Celebration, culminating with a spectacular fireworks display from atop the Saratoga Springs City Center Parking Garage at 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 5:
Admission gates open at 11 a.m. with the 12-race program getting underway at 12:35 p.m.
Red, White and Blue Photo Magnets:
Fans can enjoy complimentary, patriotic-themed photo magnets at the Jockey Silks Porch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Yankee Doodle Band:
Rensselaer’s Yankee Doodle Band will perform trackside during the afternoon. Founded in 1927 by American Legion Post 471 in Rensselaer, the Yankee Doodle Band began as a senior drum and bugle corps. Over the decades, the Band earned recognition at national American Legion events, parades, and patriotic ceremonies, including New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller’s inauguration and events at the Empire State Plaza.
Horseback Rides:
Complimentary horseback rides will be available in the backyard for children from noon to 4 p.m., courtesy of Adirondack Dreamcatcher Farm, located in nearby Corinth.
