Saratoga Girls Lacrosse Team Captures Second-Straight Sectional Title, Wraps Up Season
Photo via Saratoga Athletics social media accounts.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs varsity girls lacrosse team captured its second-straight Section 2, Class A sectional title last week against Colonie Central, 11 to 10.
The Blue Streaks had a come-from-behind victory, scoring four goals after being down 10 to 7.
“The girls definitely felt they had what it took to win sectionals again and used defending their title as their motivation,” Coach Jennifer Furze told Saratoga TODAY.
After capturing the sectional championships, Saratoga advanced to the regional finals, where they faced the Suffern Mounties last Saturday afternoon in Queensbury. Heading into the contest, Furze said her team was “confident, hungry” and eager to beat Suffern after losing to them last year.
“Strategic game play will be important against this team,” Furze said. “They love to drown the clock. They played keep-away for much of the second half on us last year. I would love to give them a taste of their own medicine.”
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In the anticipated matchup, Suffern scored four goals early, forcing the Blue Streaks to play catchup. Much like their victory in sectionals, Saratoga rallied late. But this time, it wasn’t enough. Suffern took the regional title, 10 to 8.
During the game, Saratoga senior Carly Wise netted her 300th career goal.
Coach Jennifer Furze said her team attributed its success this season to several different factors. “We focus on positives every day, ending each practice by listing three positive take-aways. We communicate well and keep composure during stressful game situations. We support one another and spend time taking care of our mental conditioning as well as our physical.”
It was a memorable and emotional season for the Blue Streaks lacrosse team. Last month, they paid tribute to Olivia Allen, a recent Saratoga grad who succumbed to leukemia in March. Coach Furze’s daughter was close friends with Allen.
“A team that fought to the very end,” read a message posted to the team’s social media account. “We are so proud of our [lacrosse] fam and honored to be called a Blue Streak. We had many victories this season and continue to stay united.”
THE BELMONT STAKES: The History, The Distances, The Champions
The Belmont Stakes is without question one of America’s greatest horse races. It has gained its prestige for many reasons. Let’s take a look at them.
The race, although long associated with Belmont Park, had its origins prior to being held there. The race actually dates back to 1867. It made its debut at Jerome Park. The track was owned by August Belmont Sr, the agent for the Rothschild families holdings on this continent and Wall Street financier Leonard Jerome. Of note, Jerome also was one of the original co-owners of Saratoga racetrack. The first running of the race was at 1 5/8 miles and won by a three year old filly named Ruthless. She lived up to her name when she romped home against her male opponents in the Travers Stakes here later that summer.
The race was run at its present distance of 1 1/2 miles for a short time beginning in 1874. In the following years it was conducted at distances from 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 miles. With the closure of Jerome Park in 1890, the race found a new home at nearby Morris Park.
When the Westchester Racing Association opened the original version of Belmont Park in 1905, the race became a permanent fixture there. Some of the early winners include the likes of the great unbeaten champion Colin in 1907. Sir Barton entered the winner’s circle in 1919. He is considered to be the first winner of The Triple Crown, although that term did not originate until the 1930s. The one and only Man o’ War strutted his stuff a year later in 1920. America’s greatest racehorse walked home in spectacular fashion, eased up twenty lengths clear of the field.
In 1926 the race was lengthened from 1 3/8 to its present distance of 1 1/2 miles. Belair Stables Gallant Fox became the second Triple Crown champion and the first to navigate the longer distance in 1930. Since then a Who’s Who of American racehorses have competed for the exquisite Belmont Stakes Trophy. Many have reached out to immortality in taking the race. The thirteen Triple Crown winners lead the way. Then there are the likes of Native Dancer, Nashua, Gallant Man, Sword Dancer, Damascus, Easy Goer, A.P. Indy and Point Given. They showed their mettle and tenacity in winning the “The Test of Champions.”
Belmont Park was rebuilt during the early 1960s. The makeover would close the venue for five years. During that period the race was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack.
This created a dilemma. At Belmont the circumference of the track is 1 1/2 miles. Aqueduct on the other hand is a 1 1/8 miles oval. The same can be said of Saratoga’s configuration. The NYRA top brass at the time made the decision to keep the race at its historic distance. This meant that the race would start close to the far turn leading into the stretch, and then once around the Aqueduct oval. For five years beginning in 1963 the plan, though not ideal, worked with no mishaps. Belmont re-opened in 1968.
There were no changes made to the race until the dreaded Covid 19 made its appearance in 2020. Like everything else the racing world was turned upside down. The race was run at a distance of 1 1/8 miles and complicating things further, preceded both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
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There was an eerie feeling on race day as patrons were not allowed to enter Belmont Park for the event.
Four years later Belmont Park finds itself being reconstructed for its second rebirth. “The Test of Champions” has the perfect temporary home here at Saratoga. This weekend all roads will lead to the Spa for a spectacular four days of racing loaded with an abundance of high caliber stakes races highlighted by the Belmont Stakes.
NYRA has decided to run the race at 1 1/4 miles, the same distance as the Kentucky Derby and the Travers Stakes.
These are different times than the five years that Aqueduct kept the race at its historic distance. Surely there are concerns that the start off of the turn may cause a mishap that would put the horses and jockeys in peril. The thought had crossed my mind that lengthening the race to 1 5/8 miles for the two years might have been a better remedy.
The race would start midway down the backstretch taking any problem on the turn out of play.
To get a definitive answer, I reached out to Ed Bowen, a prolific writer and historian with decades of familiarity with horse racing.
He answered it this way:
“I think the idea has some appeal, but there is a countering point in my mind. That is, since 1 1/2 miles is regarded today as such a test of stamina for a three- year- old in June that going even farther is worrisome as perhaps too much. All things are generalizations, whereas horses are individuals, of course, but as a point of stewardship of the well- being of the horses I think that going to 1 5/8 miles is a negative.
Enough has changed since the 19th Century phase when the Belmont WAS run at 1 5/ 8 miles that I don’t think that phase is a precedent easily applied today.”
There you have it. That being said, the race is still at a formidable distance. American racehorses are accustomed to the most important races being run at 1 1/4 miles. The lone exception is the Belmont Stakes. It is still a daunting task when considering the fact that these racehorses are stretched to their outer limits going serious distances three times in five weeks.
The time has come. Belmont at Saratoga is here. Saturday at approximately 6:30 PM the horses will prance on to the track. The crowd will go silent as the voice of Frank Sinatra belts out the Belmont theme song “ New York, New York.” Ten minutes later the contestants will enter the starting gate. They’re all in..and they’re off for the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes!
Belmont Weekend – Things To Do
Friday, June 7
Old Tavern Farm Tour; National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame – 10:30 AM
Belmont Stakes Weekend Kickoff Party at The Mill on Round Lake – 11 AM till close
Spring Water Tours, Saratoga Spa State Park – 11am and 1pm
Belmont at Saratoga Poster Artist Greg Montgomery Meet & Greet at Impressions of Saratoga – 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Dark Horse Children’s Book Signing with Author Maddy Zanetti at The Dark Horse Mercantile – 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Hardy at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center – 6:45PM
Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams (7 years in Levon Helm’s band, 8 years in Bob Dylan’s band) perform at Caffe Lena – 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 8
Belmont Stakes Day Saturday Morning Social at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame – 9 AM to 11 AM
Belmont Champagne Brunch: Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs – 9 AM to 1 PM
Meet Upset, The Miniature Dark Horse of Saratoga at The Dark Horse Mercantile – 11 AM to 1 PM
Local authors autograph copies of their books at Northshire Bookstore Saratoga: Syrl Kazlo – Chilled to the Dog Bone; Kelly Daugherty fellow contributors to The Grief Experience; James Dillon – Making Contact; Sandy Zelka – Blood Red Poppy, 2 pm to 4 pm.
156th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race CourseHorsin’ Around at UPH: Universal Preservation Hall – 4 PM to 8 PM
Belmont Stakes Viewing Party at Dance Fire Studio – 4 PM to 8 PM
Belmont Watch Party at The Bunker – 9 AM to 12 AM
Enchanted Equestrian Evening of Modern Songs at Skidmore College – 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams (7 years in Levon Helm’s band, 8 years in Bob Dylan’s band) return performance at Caffe Lena – 8 p.m.
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Sunday, June 9
Brunch with Commentator at Old Friends Cabin Creek – 10 AM to 1 PM
Opera Saratoga Gala at The Canfield Casino – 6 PM to 9 PM
For upcoming events featuring Home Made Theater, Caffe Lena, the N.Y. State Writer’s Institute and Opera Saratoga see Saratoga Today’s A&E section – pages 34, 35, 36.
For more information on weekend events visit: www.discoversaratoga.org.
Underdog Blue Streaks Win Softball Sectionals
The Saratoga Springs varsity softball team poses after capturing the Section 2 Class AAA championship. Photo via Saratoga Athletics social media accounts.
MALTA — Against all odds, the underdog Saratoga Springs varsity softball team won the Section 2 Class AAA title last Thursday against Guilderland, 11 to 4. The victory came despite the Blue Streaks finishing with a 6-11 record on the season.
Saratoga began the month with a string of losses against Shaker, Vestal, and Camden. But a refusal to give up resulted in a pair of shutout victories against Colonie Central and Shenendehowa on May 16 and 21, respectively. Then on May 23, the Blue Streaks defied the odds against Guilderland, who had a 18-4 record on the year.
Coach Geoffrey Loiacono attributed the postseason success to a couple impactful seniors returning from injuries. “Olivia Tetreault and Sarah Decker, both seniors, were out for some time,” Loiacono told Saratoga TODAY. “Both of those players are big roles not only on defense but also offense and leadership.”
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In the game against Guilderland, Tetreault had 4 hits and 4 RBI.
This year’s section title is the second the Blue Streaks have earned in the last three seasons. Their last Section 2 championship was in 2022.
The Blue Streaks anticipated a tough year, thanks to their new AAA classification. “Our league,” Loiacono told Saratoga TODAY at the start of the season, “is a grind, day in and day out. There are no guaranteed games across the board.”
Saratoga’s next game, sure to be another challenge, will be a regional title game on Saturday, June 1 at 5 p.m.
BELMONT ON BROADWAY What To Know; How To Get There; What’s Happening
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A week-long festival marking the first appearance of the Belmont Stakes in Saratoga Springs will take place in the Spa City.
Nicknamed “Belmont On Broadway” and billed as a locally based multifaceted celebration, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is slated to take place June 4 -9 and will feature a free outdoor concert and other events complimentary to the June 6-9 four-day meet at Saratoga Race Course.
The signature kick-off event to the week will be a free outdoor concert on Broadway in front of the Saratoga Springs City Center on Wednesday, June 5. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. with Tops of Trees, a Saratoga-based original eight-piece rock and soul ensemble, followed by the Virginia-based Pat McGee Band taking the stage at 7 p.m.
The headlining act will be Blues Traveler. The popular band is anticipated to take the stage shortly after 8 p.m.
The staging area is expected to be situated on Broadway itself and in close proximity to the City Center. The performing bands will face south, towards Lake Avenue. Much of upper Broadway will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event, allowing music fans to watch from the paved roadway. Individuals who require a seat are asked to bring a folding chair that is not inside of a bag.
What NOT to bring. NO: coolers, backpacks, large bags, strollers, pets, glass bottles, alcohol or weapons of any kind. Leaving a bar or restaurant with alcohol will not be permitted. No smoking.
The Concert
The free concert takes place 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5 on Broadway. The stage will be installed adjacent to the front of the Saratoga Springs City Center.
6-6:45 p.m. – Tops of Trees. Saratoga-based original eight-piece rock and soul ensemble. Performed at the pre-fireworks performance Saratoga New Year’s Fest and recently earned a 2024 Capital Region Thomas Edison Award (Eddie) nomination for Jam Band of The Year.
7-8 p.m. – Pat McGee Band. Hailing from Virginia, the band features an upbeat party vibe. McGee has performed at Caffe Lena as well as previously performing as an opening act for Blues Traveler. The group’s most recent reunion album, Sugar Packet, was released in 2020.
8:30 -10 p.m. – Blues Traveler.
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Street Closures
Broadway will be closed to vehicles between Van Dam Street and Lake Avenue beginning approximately 5 a.m. on Wednesday to 2 a.m. on Thursday, for the concert event.
Additionally, roughly between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Wednesday, off-shoot streets extending east and west of Broadway – as well as Broadway itself between Lake Avenue and Washington Street – will be closed to vehicles starting shortly before the start of the concert and lasting for about an hour following its conclusion.
City Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll said his department has been preparing for the Belmont Festival for several months and working collaboratively with federal, state, and local partners.
On April 17, 15 agencies, including the Saratoga Springs Police Department) and the Saratoga Springs Fire Departments, NYRA, FBI, NYS Police and the Saratoga County Sheriff, participated in a joint Table Top Exercise led by the FBI’s Critical Incident Respond Group out of Washington D.C. and including various hypothetical scenarios and encouraged discussion and communication between agencies,” Coll said.
Getting There
Complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided by CDTA from 3 to 11 p.m. from two remote parking locations.
One bus will run between Route 50 Lot at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the bus stop on Broadway at Congress Park.
One bus will run between the Wilton Mall bus stop and the corner of High Rock Avenue and Lake Avenue.
The buses will visit the two locations approximately every 20 minutes.
Note for those driving: The City Center Parking Garage WILL be open. The parking facility, located between Maple and High Rock Avenues, has secure covered parking for more than 600 vehicles., and features a pay per park system.
June 4 – 9, Belmont On Broadway Is a Six-Day Celebration
Officials expect hosting the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga will serve as a significant boost for local businesses. The estimated economic impact of the Belmont on the nine-county region is more than $50 million in 2024.
That $50 million projection comes from applying a mathematical formula that takes the overall economic activity of the annual 40-day summer meet at Saratoga and assigning it to the number of days of the upcoming Belmont festival. That overall 40-day meet figure, was detailed in a study commissioned by the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency and released in 2023.
How Did The Belmont Land in Saratoga?
With a massive $455 million renovation project slated to take place at Long Island’s Belmont Park, the New York Racing Association decided to stage the high-profile Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.
That temporary relocation of the Belmont Stakes – a race which traditionally sites the third and final leg of the Triple Crown – will also see Saratoga serve as host site in June 2025. The Belmont’s normal Long Island home venue is currently anticipated to be ready for a downstate return in 2026.
Additional Happenings
The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association will host a themed window decorating contest featuring 17 decorated storefronts. The displays will be graded on a point system according to how well each window meets the Fun Factor, Creativity, and Visual Impact criteria. Winners will be announced June 5 and prizes include two Clubhouse Reserved seats (winner), two Grandstand Reserved seats (runner-up), and two Grandstand Admission tickets (third place) for Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga Race Course.
A number of other local events are either being specially staged, or otherwise linked to the Belmont. Specific information about many of those events may be found at: discoversaratoga.org.
The Belmont on Broadway concert is sponsored by Death Wish Coffee, NYRA Bets, Saratoga County, the City of Saratoga Springs, Druthers Brewing Company, Adirondack Trust Company, D. A. Collins Companies, UHY Advisors, and Saratoga Casino Hotel.
The organizing committee is comprised of leaders from the Saratoga County Economic Development Corporation, Saratoga Springs City Center, Discover Saratoga, Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association, and Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
144 Residential Units Planned in Ballston Spa
Photo of the Estates at Ballston Spa under construction provided by Meredith Generali/Paragon Residential.
BALLSTON SPA — This June, residents can begin moving into The Estates at Ballston Spa, an apartment complex located a little less than two miles from the village’s downtown. The apartments are the first phase of a planned three-pronged project that would ultimately create 144 residential units.
Phase one is finishing The Estates at 1419 Saratoga Road, which will include two buildings; one with 24 units and another with 40 units. The luxury apartments are all 2 and 3 bedrooms, with monthly rent prices starting at $1,875. According to Paul Nichols, co-developer of the project, about half of the 24-unit building has already been rented, with a handful more units reserved in the 40-unit building.
Phase two involves building 28 modern farmhouse-style townhomes in the rear of the property. The homes are currently awaiting town approval. If approval is granted, Nichols said that land for the homes could start being cleared this fall.
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The final phase of the project entails constructing three additional three-story, mixed-use buildings with another 52 apartments; plus 25,000 square feet of retail and amenity space on the first floor.
“The location itself is really the gateway to Ballston Spa. We found that very appealing,” Nichols said. “We’ve always liked downtown Ballston Spa. It’s quaint with its shops and restaurants, and we think it’s just a great place to live.”
Paragon Residential Management is developing the project alongside general contractor BDC Builders.
“Epic Failure”: Malta Town Board Addresses Steeplechase Apartments Fire Code Violations
Steeplechase at Malta apartment complex photo via the company’s website.
MALTA — The Malta Town Board held a public hearing on Monday night regarding fire code violations at the Steeplechase apartments. The violations, first noted in May of 2022, were initially supposed to have been addressed by September 2022. Representatives from Steeplechase said the violations were still being addressed as of May 2024. They also said they didn’t know if residents had ever been notified of the violations.
The hearing resulted in some heated exchanges, including Councilperson Al Ricci repeatedly referring to the unaddressed violations as an “epic failure,” and Councilperson Barbara Conner telling a Steeplechase representative that she didn’t understand how they could live with themselves.
Special counsel Stefanie Bitter said that after the initial May 2022 inspection report, the town followed up with Steeplechase at least four times in 2022 and 2023. In August 2023, a second inspection noted 104 deficiencies that affected 235 residential units. In November 2023, a fire marshal issued an order to remedy the violations and gave Steeplechase thirty days to do so.
A property manager at the apartment complex later said she was aware of the violations and was working to address them. As of the hearing on Monday night, only six of the complex’s twenty-four buildings had completed the remedial work.
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The primary safety issue, said Malta Code Enforcement Officer Greg Berg, was unlisted antifreeze systems within the buildings, which can become flammable and, under certain conditions, could cause an explosion.
“It’s like playing with grandpa’s old World War II hand grenade and someone says it’s been defused. I’m not pulling the pin,” Berg said.
Attorney Jennifer Yetto, representing Steeplechase, said the company had contracted a vendor to complete the necessary work in the remaining buildings by the end of August. “Contrary to what the town may have noted,” Yetto said, “we very much are concerned with our residents as much as anyone else.” Yetto criticized town officials for poor communication. She also refused to concede any of the violations.
“We’re very well aware this had been prejudged well before we even walked into the door,” Yetto told Councilperson Ricci.
“It seems like a lot more effort has gone into the defense of the procedure than it has to fix.. the problems of the building,” Ricci said.
The hearing was adjourned with the understanding that Steeplechase had hired a vendor and would address the remaining violations by the end of August.