COLONIE — On Tuesday, November 1, the Saratoga Blue Streaks squared off against Shaker High School in the Class AA Section II final hosted in Colonie. The fans in attendance didn’t have to wait long for the scoring as Saratoga’s leading scorer for the season – Ryan Farr – netted the ball off an assist from Owen Eldridge in the twelfth minute. In what would be a  back-and-forth contest all night, Shaker needed less than a minute to equalize as Lesedi Sekhobo knotted things at 1-1, which is how the first half would finish. 

Midway through the second half, the deadlock was broken by Shaker’s Kofi Sarfoh by way of a header from Nick Pepe. Just nine minutes later, Brendan Degan notched another for the Bison as they took what looked like a commanding 3-1 lead with less than 10 minutes left in the final. But Saratoga stepped up, and the effort was led by one player in particular, the previous goal scorer and junior Ryan Farr. Farr was the first to the ball as a cross from Lucas Verghese swung into the penalty area with just under 9 minutes remaining. Farr’s header would make it 3-2.

“Ryan Farr is unbelievable,” said Shaker coach Dan Fountain in a post game statement. “We had him triple-teamed and he was still causing us fits and scoring a bunch of goals. He’s just an unbelievable player and the team uses him well.”

With 2 minutes left, the hattrick was complete as Vincent Devito assisted Farr for his third goal of the night. 

“He’s been amazing all season and he kind of took the team on his shoulders and got us those goals,” said coach Jeffery Geller about Farr. “The team was definitely feeding off his energy, but we’re a little gutted on how it ended,” Geller would say to the media after the match. 

How it ended was frustrating for both Saratoga fans and players alike. Ultimately, it was a line judge’s decision to give a penalty to Shaker in golden goal overtime (meaning if one team scores, it’s over). Shaker’s Ben Halek lined up to take the kick, and with the stroke of his boot sent Saratoga home and claimed the Section II title for Shaker High. With 18 seniors on the Saratoga squad, the abrupt end of the season on a penalty kick may feel sour, but with an overall record of 15-1-1 and Class AA ranking of #2 in New York State, hopefully the momentum of this year can carry the program for years to come.

“Not only did we have a great season, but I felt like this group is a family,” said Geller. “I’m going to miss a lot of these boys next year. They fought for each other. They played for each other all year and I really can’t ask for anything more.” 

Friday, Nov. 4 & Saturday, Nov. 5

This year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championship races will be held over two days – Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5 at Lexington, Kentucky’s stately Keeneland Race Course and as usual it will have a strong Saratoga connection. The beautiful fall Keeneland setting is complemented by the surrounding world-class horse farms affording fans the opportunity to visit past champions as well as current contenders. In addition to its racecourse, Keeneland is the industry’s leading auction house founded in 1936.  Keeneland’s mission is to continually invest in the industry and to preserve the tradition of Thoroughbred racing. It’s motto “Racing as it was meant to be” resonates with many in Saratoga who revere racing traditions and customs. 

Like most years the Breeders’ Cup will feature many horses that ran at Saratoga this summer or have a significant Saratoga ties. 

The Breeders’ Cup series of races spans two days of racing at varying distances, surfaces and categories. This years’ event will feature 14 races for total purses of more than $31 million. The five races featuring two-year-olds will be run on Friday’s card which is dubbed “Future Stars Friday.” The remaining nine races for older horses will be run Saturday, Nov. 5, with the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic ending the card with an expected post time of 5:40 p.m. The races will be televised live on USA Network and FanDuel TV (formerly TVG) with the Classic being shown on NBC between 3:30 and 6 p.m. Eastern Time. 

The Breeders’ Cup event was first run in 1984 and was created to be a televised season ending event much like the Super Bowl or World Series. Having initially eschewed television coverage for fear of giving away its product, racing found itself with a shrinking fan base and difficulty creating new fans. The traditional stakes races were televised but predicting who would run and how much interest there would be in any particular fall stakes race proved difficult and not conducive to television promotion. As a multi-race event the Breeders’ Cup was meant to assure the appearance of stars and fans. While it was originally meant to rotate among North American race tracks (and it did so in its early years) in recent years, due to a myriad of factors including weather and politics, it has alternated between California and Kentucky. The races draw stars and challengers from each racing division with a formidable complement of runners from overseas. 

One interesting statistic from a handicapping perspective, longshots have done extremely well in the series since its inception. A flat win bet on all runners that started at odds of 20-1 or above shows a significant profit and return on investment.

This year the Breeders’ Cup entrants are owned by a mixture of traditional owners and diversified ownership groups. Saratoga-based West Point Thoroughbreds will be front and center having partial ownership of undefeated super horse – Flightline – who will be the overwhelming favorite in the Classic while other entrants will be owned by traditional private stables. 

Like most years, this one will see several equine stars try to eclipse their respective fields at short odds to claim champion status in their respective divisions.  However the major focus of the two days will by Flightline and his super star status. 

Flightline is undefeated and unchallenged albeit, in a lightly raced career. He has produced runaway victories in each of his starts and showed the speed to control the race on the front end as well as the ability to stalk a speedy opponent. To date there does not appear to be any weakness in his performances. The field of challengers will be replete with horses that ran this year at Saratoga. Older runners including the speedy Life is Good and the steady winner Olympiad (who also has a Saratoga connection through owner LNJ Foxwoods) are expected to challenge. Three-year-old runners taking on older horses for the first time in the Classic include Travers winner Epicenter and Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike.

Earlier on Saturday The Distaff for fillies and mares will see one of two Todd Pletcher-trained Saratoga winners – Malathaat or Nest go to the post as favorite.

The focus on the grass races will be on the European entrants who have typically performed well on Keeneland’s grass course as both the weather and the surface are conducive to their conditioning and running style.  Internationally based runners have factored in each running of the series.

For many runners it will be their final race before moving onto the breeding shed to pass on their genes to future generations. This annual two-day flurry of first class racing usually provides lasting memories. It is well worth the watch.

SARATOGA — This past weekend, the Saratoga Boys JV Volleyball won the Suburban Council “End of the Season Tournament,” hosted at Burnt Hills High School. This tournament encompasses the last round of matches for the junior varsity season. The Blue Streaks went 7-1 in pool play – receiving a first-round bye. After the bye, the Streaks squared off against Columbia High, who they would sweep two games to nil. In the finals, Saratoga came out on top against rivals Shenendehowa to win the tournament and put an exclamation mark on their season. The team is coached by Coach DiFusco.

SARATOGA — On Monday, October 17, the Saratoga Central Catholic Volleyball program hosted Waterford Halfmoon for their 14th annual “Saints Spike Out Cancer” event. The event  raised $2,400 for the Mollie Wilmot Radiation and Oncology Center of the Saratoga Hospital. This year, fundraising efforts were aided by students of St. Clement’s, who donated $3 to wear pink during their school day and dress out of their uniform. For over a decade, the school-wide effort in October has raised tens of thousands for worthy causes in cancer awareness and prevention for local health groups.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Saturday, October 15, the 22nd Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge was held in the Saratoga Springs Spa State Park. With close to 1,000 participants who ran, walked or rolled, $35,000 was raised for Saratoga Bridges’ non-funded or underfunded programs and services. The 5k and 10K races resulted with 5K winners, Ramon Dominguez from Saratoga Springs and Elizabeth Predmore from Ballston Lake. The 10K winners were, Ethan Carey from Queensbury and Dana Bush from Saratoga Springs. First, second and third place prizes were given out by age group. 

The event featured NET Chip Timing from Albany Running Exchange, homemade refreshments made from  individuals at Saratoga Bridges and donated food and beverages from Hixny, Uncommon Grounds, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Hannaford, DeVoe’s Rainbow Orchard, Healthy Living and Fresh Market. The event also hosted a costume contest and favorite pumpkin contest decorated by members of Saratoga Bridges during their day and residential programs. Many “Bridges Buddies” participated in the 5K upon completing the agency’s Walking and Wheeling Program. This initiative was developed by their wellness committee to pair staff and individuals in a 4-week training program leading up to The Great Pumpkin Challenge. Plus, over 120 people volunteered from BOCES’ Criminal Justice students, Goldman Sachs’ Community TeamWorks, Saratoga Spa Catholic and Saratoga Bridges staff, board members and friends. With sponsors, event organizers, volunteers, local food shops that donated and over 1,000 participants, this event highlighted a true community effort. Those that walked, ran, rolled or just helped the event run smoothly to raise funds, reflected Saratoga Bridges’ mission to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities in order for them to pursue their life goals through knowledge, collaboration and experience.

For people who missed out on participating in the 22nd Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge, they can still do so virtually by Friday, November 4 at www.saratogabridges.org.  For $30, they will get the long-sleeve moisture wicking shirt and can use the official course – www.saratogabridges.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GPC-2022-Updated-Map-for-Web.pdf through the Saratoga Spa State Park or at location of their choice. 

BURNT HILLS — Over 500 competitors attended the 19th Annual Morris Cup Judo Championships held at the Burnt Hills High School on Sunday, October 9. The last Morris Cup was held pre- COVID in 2019. The event featured players from all over the East Coast as well as a large contingent from Montreal as Judo Canada sent a bus load of athletes itching to compete since many haven’t had the opportunity to do so due to COVID restrictions.  

“It was fantastic to get back on track after such a long break” Tournament Director and 4x Olympian, Jason Morris said. “Our local Judo community really needed this.”

 The 20th edition of the Morris Cup has been slated for Sunday, October 8, 2023. Burnt Hills High School Senior, Kyle Tran (17) was a triple medalist taking gold in the 60kg Brown Belt Division, bronze in the 60kg Cadet Category (15-17yrs) and a bronze in the Cadet 66kg Division. Melissa Myers (27) took gold in 70kg Elite Women’s then moved up and won silver in 78kg. Burnt Hills Grad and 2x Olympian, Nick Delpopolo (33) moved up from his normal 73kg to take silver in a very strong 81kg field. Burnt Hills 7th Graders, Dani and Randi Morris (12) were both double medalists winning silvers 11-12yrs +52kg and 11-12yrs 52kg weight class respectively. They both then moved up in age to take bronzes in 13-14yrs 58kg & 52kg respectively. Kell Berliner (28) bumped up a weight class from his usual 81kg to take a silver in the elite mens 90kg category. This was one of the biggest Morris Cups in its history. “Hopefully #20 is our best,” said Jason Morris.

MECHANICVILLE — On Thursday, October 13, the Class A Section II Boys Varsity Golf Championships were held at Fairways of Halfmoon Golf Course. On a day where the conditions were tough, and scoring was at a premium, the Saratoga Blue Streaks found a way to claim a section title. 

All year, the Blue Streaks played well. The team only dropped one match, their first match of the season, to Shaker 238 to 236, and that was without their #1 player, Kellen Dean. On Thursday, it was more of the same for Saratoga; four Blue Streaks broke 80. Leading the way was sophomore Carter Sica who logged a 2-under-par 70 to earn medalist honors for the tournament. Behind him was Kellen Dean (74), Charlie Greiner (76) and Henry Parobeck (79) to wrap up Saratoga’s scores. As a team, that’s an 11 over 299, which made for a comfortable victory. In second was Guilderland (319), in third was Niskayuna (335), and fourth was Shaker (337). Ballston Spa (340), Shenendehowa (342), CBA (348) and Albany Academy (352) rounded out the field. “We have a great team-dynamic,” said Blue Streaks head coach Jake Zanetti. “All of the boys are so capable of shooting low scores that they are always competing against one another; whether they’re chipping or putting, playing a round, or playing fantasy football, they all want to win!”

After Thursday’s team event, the top 24 players were able to participate in the weekend’s Class ABCD Playoffs back at Fairways of Halfmoon and the winning ways continued for Saratoga. The playoffs were two rounds of qualifying for next spring’s NYSPHSAA Championship, played in June at Mark Twain Golf Course in Elmira. Saratoga qualified 4 golfers for 9 available spots. “I’m not sure if that many qualifiers from one team has ever happened before,” said Saratoga’s Zanetti. “Our NYSPHSAA Championship qualifiers are Henry Parobeck, Carter Sica, Charlie Greiner and Kellen Dean. We are very excited to be bringing a foursome to states. This was such a fun trip last year with other great Section II players and coaches, and to bring almost half the state team from one school is going to be a blast for practice rounds in preparation, hotels and meals out. The whole experience will be great,” Zanetti told Saratoga TODAY. 

For Zanetti, a wrestling coach but also an avid golfer, he humbly attributes much of the team’s success to the golf scene in Saratoga, whether it’d be the local pros in the town that many of the boys work with or the Blue Streaks golfing alumni that often connect with the team in the off-season. With only one senior on the squad, Saratoga’s success on the green may continue for some years to come. “We’re excited for spring and for next season and continuing to grow the program. Taking over this team has been a pleasure and a privilege that I don’t take for granted,” said Zanetti. 

REXFORD — On Sunday, October 9, the Edison Club hosted the Section II team championships for the Suburban Council’s varsity girls golf season. It was a sunny fall day and the teams were in full swing. 

Taking home first place was the powerhouse of the 2022 season, Albany Academy for Girls. Academy shot a remarkable gross score of 298, just 10 over par combined. In second was Saratoga High School. The Bluestreaks came into the clubhouse with a combined score of 402 (+114) to solidify their place on the podium with a silver medal. In third was Guilderland. The Guilderland girls scored a 412 (+124) to take home third place. Fourth, fifth and sixth were Shaker, Shenendehowa and Bethlehem, respectively.

The individual championship, which was hosted a week prior, was won by Albany Academy’s Samantha Von Rohr.