State Senator Jim Tedisco and Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford pose with award winners at the Saratoga Casino Hotel’s annual harness racing awards ceremony. Photo via Sen. Jim Tedisco’s office.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association held their annual awards ceremony and banquet last week, celebrating the most impressive achievements at the harness track in 2024.
Winners included By the Book (Horse of the Year & Trotter of the Year), Robyn Mangiardi (Horsewoman of the Year), Pickup Man Hanover (Pacer of the Year), Brett Beckwith (Driver of the Year & Most Driving Wins in a Single Card), Mark Beckwith (Horseman of the Year & Trainer of the Year), Greystone Treasure (Most Wins), Jennifer Newton (Rising Star – Owner), Brian Cross (Rising Star – Trainer), Pamela Pinney and Dave Coon (Most Dedicated Owners), Jackie Greene (Most Eight Holes), Henceforth (2×5 Gelding Pacer of the Year), Pitboss Hanover (2×5 Mare of the Year), Cross Creek Samara (Rising Star & 2×5 Trotter of the Year), Arizona (Filly and Mare Pacer of the Year), George Mason (Most Dedicated Groom), and Bronze Over N (Senior Citizen Award).
State Senator Jim Tedisco and Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford were on hand to help dish out the awards.
Balloons drop at noon during the Saratoga Regional YMCA’s first Noon-Year’s Eve event. Photo provided.
ARATOGA SPRINGS — Families rang in the New Year a little early at the Saratoga Regional YMCA’s first-ever free Noon-Year’s Event, held at the Saratoga Springs branch on December 31. Over 500 attendees enjoyed bounce houses, crafts, and other activities, all leading up to a countdown and ball drop at noon.
“This was a fun way for families to celebrate New Year’s together,” said Kristi Savage, Senior Program Director, in a press release. “Since most kids don’t stay up until midnight, we thought a daytime celebration would be perfect. We’re excited to build on the success of this year and look forward to expanding the event in 2025.”
For more information on upcoming events and programs, visit srymca.org.
Wrestlers pose on the awards podium after the annual Saratoga Invitational held at Saratoga Springs High School on Saturday. Photo provided by Coach Jake Zanetti.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs varsity wrestling team finished first overall in the annual Saratoga Invitational on Saturday that also featured competitors from Ballston Spa, Queensbury, Averill Park, and South Glens Falls.
Individual first-place winners included Brendan Stoutenburg and Danny Dacey, while Luke Stoutenburg, Taylor Beaury, and Gianni Delgado all finished second.
The Blue Streaks recently finished ninth overall at the Windsor Christmas Tournament, where Beaury secured his 100th varsity win. Prior to Windsor, Saratoga placed second overall at the Lee Van Slyke Memorial Dual with a record of 4-1.
he first reported thoroughbred born in New York State in 2025 arrived at the Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater last week. The colt is the product of the stallion Mind Control and the chestnut mare Weekend Hottie. Photo via New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. / Courtesy of Emily O’Neil-Hopkins.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — The NFL’s Chicago Bears have made a formal request to interview Miami Dolphins Defensive Coordinator and Saratoga Springs native Anthony Weaver for their head coaching position, The Athletic’s Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini reported on Monday.
The Bears, who finished the season with a 5-12 record (last place in the NFC North), fired Head Coach Matt Eberflus at the end of November. Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown then took over as interim coach for the final weeks of the season.
Weaver was a highly sought-after coaching candidate last offseason, when both the Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons interviewed him before he accepted his current gig with the Dolphins. In his first year heading Miami’s defense, the team ranked fourth in the league in net yards allowed per game (314.3).
Weaver is a graduate of Saratoga Springs High School and a member of the Blue Streak Hall of Fame.
PORTER CORNERS — Greenfield’s Brookhaven Winter Park is now offering Nordic ski and snowshoe rentals from a new winter shop on site.
The Brookhaven Ski Shop, located in the Pro Shop space at the clubhouse at 333 Alpine Meadows Road in Porter Corners, will be open on Thursdays (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Fridays through Sundays (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Cross-country skis, poles and boots will cost $20 daily for adults, $15 for seniors, and $10 for kids. Snowshoes and poles will cost $15 for adults and $10 for kids and seniors. They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A limited number of Nordic skis are available to rent for the season for $100. There is no admission fee to use the park.
“After years of requests, it was time to start offering some rentals because everyone does not own skis or snowshoes,” said Town Supervisor Kevin Veitch in a statement. “We want all of our residents to enjoy the park and also to bring in a little revenue to help make improvements each year.”
The Saratoga Racers of the American Basketball Association (ABA) celebrate after a hard-fought win over the Bennington Martens. Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford cheers on the team from the stands. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Who wouldn’t want a taste of revenge against an ex-employer?
The Saratoga Racers, a semi-pro basketball team with players and front office personnel who used to be part of the Bennington Martens, took on their former colleagues last Sunday afternoon in a fast-paced, roller coaster of a game that included some taunting, cussing, and pleas for calm from at least one referee.
The game at Saratoga Central Catholic, which was broadcast live on YouTube by NYVT Media, featured the return of Mike Pierre, a Saratoga Racer who had been out with a torn Achilles. Pierre received significant playing time, but struggled from beyond the arc, missing all 7 of his attempts.
Offensively, the game was dominated by the Racers’ John Ryals, an ex-Marten who netted a whopping 46 points and 20 rebounds. More than once, Ryals seemed to gesture at the Bennington bench after hitting one of his 7 three-pointers.
Ryals and the Racers took control early in the contest, maintaining a 35 to 29 lead after the first quarter. RJ Rosa hit several of his 6 triples in the first, accumulating the first of his 38 points (to which he also added 11 boards and 6 assists).
But things took a turn in the second stanza, when Bennington battled back to come within 2. Then, with less than 4 minutes left, the Martens captured the lead. Saratoga’s TJ Jenkins added a much-needed spark, making smart plays for easy buckets to help keep the game from slipping away from Saratoga. A dramatic Ryals dunk towards the end of the first half let the Martens know that the Racers weren’t giving up. But at halftime, the score was tied, 66 to 66.
The third quarter started sloppy, with a few air balls hoisted by both teams. But then the Racers regrouped, slowed down the game’s pace, and made higher percentage buckets to put them up by 6 with 7:15 remaining in the third. A gorgeous touch pass by Tobias Holmes allowed for an easy Ryals layup before Holmes sank a triple to put Saratoga up by 11.
Just when it seemed like the Racers might be running away with it, Bennington came roaring back, pulling the game to within 3 before sinking a triple that tied things up. At the end of the third, it was once again a deadlocked game, 99 to 99.
The final quarter saw Saratoga getting aggressive defensively, coming up with two huge blocks. Another Ryals three helped put the Racers up 105 to 99. After they earned a comfortable lead, Holmes advised his teammates to slow down the pace of the game after an avoidable turnover. From there, the Racers began to sink their teeth into the Martens. Ryals sank yet another triple. Rosa stole the ball and tapped it to Holmes for a layup. Holmes tossed an alley oop to Shaheem Sanders. Then, when Rosa drained a big 3 to put Saratoga up 123 to 109 with less than 5 minutes to play, the nails began to enter the coffin. Holmes plopped the cherry on top with a very long shot from beyond the arc, followed by a no-look pass to Sanders for an emphatic jam. The Racers tasted revenge, winning 135 to 120.
“This game made us work on every play and should help both of us going forward,” Racers Coach Bob Catherwood said. “Mutual respect from guys who know each other and compete as hard as they can.”
With the W, the Racers improved to 8-3 on the season. They’ll return home to Spa Catholic on January 18 and 19 for the Martin Luther King Weekend Classic, when they host both Buffalo and Rochester. The team is also co-hosting the 518 King of the Court 1v1 Tournament with the Albany 518 Ballers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
TROY — The Saratoga Central Catholic varsity bowling team defeated Hoosic Valley 5-0 at Hilltop Bowl in Troy prior to the holidays.
The Saints won all three games of the series, winning 1,006 to 979, 971 to 883, and 1,013 to 978; culminating in a total pinfall of 2,990 versus Hoosic Valley’s 2,840.
Salvatore Cerio led the Saints with a 622 series, followed by David Mattes who finished with a 551 series and a clutch 229 in the third game. Jason Pescetti also contributed a 223 in the opening game, helping Spa Catholic establish early momentum.
The bowling squad will next face Queensbury on January 8.
The American Basketball Association (ABA)’s Top 25 rankings for the week ending December 29 includes both the hometown Saratoga Racers at #22 and their most recent opponents, the Buffalo Xtreme at #2. Image via the ABA.
BUFFALO — After a two-week break, the ABA’s Saratoga Racers returned to action last Saturday with a road game against the undefeated Buffalo Xtreme, who are currently ranked #2 in the country. The Racers fell in the contest, 143 to 106. Despite the loss, Saratoga hung on to a spot in the national rankings at #22.
The Racers are now 7-3 on the season, with two games scheduled for this weekend. On January 4, they’ll head west to face the Herkimer Originals in New York before returning home for a big January 5 game against the rival Bennington Martens at Saratoga Central Catholic at 3 p.m.
SCHUYLERVILLE — State Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) attended the Schuylerville School District’s Board of Education meeting on December 16 to honor the Schuylerville High School varsity football team after their dramatic 26-20 victory over top-ranked Salamanca on December 7 to capture the Class C State championship.
“If you know anything about sports, it’s difficult to win your league, it’s incredibly hard to win your section, but a state championship, that only comes around once in I don’t know how many years,” Tedisco said at the meeting. “I look around this room and I see a lot of pride and a lot of love.”
Tedisco presented the team and Head Coach John Bowen with a Senate Proclamation.
Tedisco will further honor the state champs in the new year when session resumes with an invitation to come to the Capitol and be recognized in the Senate Chamber with passage of a resolution to enshrine their victory into the annals of the state legislature.
