SARATOGA SPRINGS — Three Saratoga Springs High School girls lacrosse players were named to 2024 Suburban Council All-Star teams, and two more players received honorable mention.
First Team All-Star
Attack: Carly Wise
Second Team All-Star
Attack: Janie Baringer
Midfield: Sarah Berls
Honorable Mention
Defense: Cece Carroll
Goalie: Jenna Amodio
Belmont Gold Cup winner The Grey Wizard, ridden by John Velazquez, enters the Winner’s Circle. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The long-awaited Belmont Stakes Racing Festival arrived at the Saratoga Race Course last week, drawing tens of thousands of fans who wagered millions of dollars. Here’s a snapshot of what Belmont brought to the Spa City.
50,000 – The number of fans who attended the sold-out Belmont Stakes Day on Saturday, June 8
$197,426,085 – The total handle for all four days of the festival
120,028 – The total attendance (counted by ticket sales) of the four-day festival
5 1/2 furlongs in 59:80 – A new course record set by Cogburn in the Jaipur Stakes
1 – Number of World Series championships won by Dornoch’s co-owner Jayson Werth, a former professional baseball player
15,000 – Estimated number of people who attended the Belmont on Broadway free concert event on Wednesday, June 5
$125,748,941 – The total handle for Belmont Stakes Day, a New York Racing Association (NYRA) record for a non-Triple Crown year
300% – Increase in the usual amount of alcohol provided to the Saratoga Race Course by beverage distributors
Fox Sports horse racing analyst Acacia Clement hosts the Belmont Draw Show at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs on Monday, June 3. Image via the New York Racing Association livestream of the event.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Belmont Stakes Draw Show was held at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs on Monday evening. The event, hosted by Fox Sports horse racing analyst Acacia Clement, was live streamed by the New York Racing Association (NYRA).
“This event serves as a kick off to a truly historic week in Saratoga Springs,” Clement said.
Post positions for the Belmont Stakes, in order of their announcement, were as follows:
2 – Resilience
1 – Seize the Grey
6 – Dornoch
9 – Sierra Leone
4 – The Wine Steward
5 – Antiquarian
7 – Protective
8 – Honor Marie
10 – Mindframe
3 – Mystik Dan
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.”
Ballston Spa wrestling champion Mia Collins poses with State Senator Jim Tedisco and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh. Photo provided by Adam Kramer.
ALBANY — State Senator Jim Tedisco and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh celebrated Mia Collins, a girls wrestling state champion from Ballston Spa High School, earlier this week at the State Capitol in Albany. Collins was presented with a copy of a legislative resolution that honored her championship season.
Collins, a junior, captured the 2024 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Wrestling Championship title in the 132-pound Division over top-seeded Alexa Doxey of Newfane High School at the Syracuse Research Corporation Arena and Events Center in January.
Prior to the final match, Mia recorded a 38-second pin in her first match; a reversal with 17 seconds remaining to win a 6-4 decision in her quarterfinal bout, and then put together a second-period pin in the semifinals.
Mia’s victory capped off an undefeated regular season record of 10-0. She was the first New York State Girls Wrestling Champion from Ballston Spa High School.
In light of her recent accomplishments, Mia Collins has garnered a National ranking of eighth in her weight class.
Players from Saratoga Springs and Colonie run the bases during the 10th annual Challenger Baseball Game, held at the West Side Recreation Park in Saratoga. Photo by Super Source Media.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — More than 150 spectators attended the 10th annual Saratoga Springs Little League Challenger Baseball game at the West Side Recreation Park last Saturday night.
The game had a cheering section of special education teachers, physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapy assistants.
Derrick Legal, President of the Saratoga Little League, said the Challenger Division was the brainchild of Paul Salway, a prior board member. Since the program’s launch a decade ago, more than 40 players and families from across Saratoga County have enrolled every year. The program provides an opportunity for players with differing abilities to play baseball.
Robert Kelly, District Coordinator for Special Education at the Saratoga Springs City School District, said his goal is to send a team to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the Little League World Series is held. “Our players and families are great and will work hard to accomplish this goal together,” Kelly said.
Fox Sports racing analyst Maggie Wolfendale reports live from a paddock. Photo via Pottheiser Photo/New York Racing Association.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fox Sports will be providing full coverage of this year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at the Saratoga Race Course. The broadcast will be split across several channels, including Fox, FS1, and FS2. The action can also be streamed live on the Fox Sports app and FoxSports.com.
Frank Mirahmadi, who announces the annual summer meet at Saratoga, will call the Belmont Stakes. He’ll also announce all other races airing on Fox from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.
Thursday, June 6
Full coverage of the first day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will air on FS2 from 12:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Friday, June 7
Coverage for day two will be split across two networks: FS2 and FS1. Tune in to FS2 for coverage from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., then switch over to FS1 for additional coverage from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 8
Belmont Stakes Day will be aired across three networks: FS1 (10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.), Fox (4 p.m. – 7 p.m.), and FS2 (7 p.m. – 8:10 p.m.)
Beginning at 4 p.m., Fox’s pre-race show will be anchored by Curt Menefee, multiple Grade 1-winning trainer Tom Amoss, and retired jockey Richard Migliore. Also providing coverage will be Fox Sports wagering expert Chris “The Bear” Fallica, handicapper Jonathon Kinchen, Emmy Award-winning reporter Tom Rinaldi, and racing analyst Maggie Wolfendale.
Sunday, June 9
The final day of the festival will be broadcast on FS2 from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., then FS1 from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. Coverage will conclude on FS2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The annual kids fishing derby is returning to Lake Lonely on June 16. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. It’s open to kids 14 and under, all of whom must be accompanied by an adult guardian. Worms will be supplied, but kids should bring their own fishing poles and tackle.
The derby includes free hot dogs, chips, and sodas; as well as prizes for fish caught in different categories. The event will take place at 373 Crescent Ave (Eagles Parking Lot) in Saratoga Springs.
Flier image via 518 Softball social media accounts.
MALTA — The inaugural 518 Futures High School Softball Classic will take place on Sunday, June 9 at 4 p.m. at the Luther Forest Athletic Fields in Malta. The event will include an All Star game and a home run derby.
Participants from the Saratoga region include:
Saratoga Springs
Jackie Cutting – pitcher/outfielder
Natalie Conroy – third base
Olivia Tetreault – outfield
Sarah Decker – catcher
Ballston Spa
Madelyn Perrone – first base
Livia Wiltsie – pitcher/utility
Carlie Koebbeman – outfield
Calleigh Sisk – catcher
Schuylerville
Sophia Wahl – pitcher
For more information on the softball classic, or to purchase tickets, visit www.518softball.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Booster Club will host its annual field hockey camp from June 24 until June 28 on the turf field at Saratoga Springs High School.
The program is open to grades 3 through 12. No experience is necessary. The camp will take place each day from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m., except on Monday when it will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The camp includes extensive individual instruction, along with daily participation in game situations. The goal is to teach the fundamentals of field hockey, while ensuring that each player leaves the camp with a new appreciation for the game.
Registration is now open and costs $80. The camp brochure can be downloaded from the Booster Club’s website at hsaratogafieldhockey.teampages.com. For more information, contact Jo-Anne Hostig at togafieldhockey@gmail.com.
