Photo of Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner via her website.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — New York State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, whose district includes the Saratoga Race Course, recently sponsored bill A09636, which would limit sports wagering to “wagers on the final outcome, score, or winner of a sporting event or contest,” thus banning proposition (or “prop”) bets.
Prop bets include player, game, and team props, such as the number of touchdowns scored by a football player in a game or the first team to score a touchdown in a game. Prop bets have recently come under scrutiny, in part due to federal betting investigations involving both current and former members of the NBA. Earlier this month, the NCAA sent a letter to state gambling commissions requesting the elimination of prop bets.
Woerner’s bill states that proposition bets “present heightened risks to the integrity of sports, increase the potential for insider information misuse, increase the harassment and abuse of athletes and coaches, and exacerbate risks of problem gambling due to their rapid and repetitive nature.” Banning prop bets will “promote consumer protection, safeguard the integrity of sporting events, and align sports wagering with responsible gambling principles,” the bill argues.
Any betting operator that knowingly or negligently offers or accepts a prop bet in violation of the proposed law would be subject to civil penalties imposed by the gaming commission, including fines of up to $100,000 per violation, as well as suspension or revocation of licensure.
On Jan. 21, Woerner’s bill was referred to the racing and wagering committee. About a year ago, Woerner was appointed the chair of the committee.
Woerner isn’t the first Saratoga politician to take aim at sports betting. Congressman Paul Tonko, who represents Saratoga County, renewed his push for the SAFE Bet Act in October following a gambling scandal that rocked the NBA and allegedly involved members of the Mafia. Tonko introduced the SAFE Bet Act in 2024. Among other things, the legislation would prohibit all proposition bets featuring college and amateur athletes.
“The constant, unfettered access to sports gambling destroys public trust in the game, while having dire consequences for countless persons across our nation struggling with problem gambling,” Tonko said in a statement issued on Oct. 23, 2025.
A 2024 poll conducted by Quinnipiac University found that 67% of Americans think prop betting should not be permitted.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders are partnering on a bus trip to the Aqueduct Racetrack for Wood Memorial Stakes Day on Saturday, April 4.
This year’s edition of the Wood Memorial—a Grade 2 race for 3-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby trail—will be the final time the event is held at Aqueduct before moving to the new Belmont Park in 2027.
Tickets are now on sale at https://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/Aqueduct-Bus-Trip.
MALTA — The Eddie Fyvie Jiu-Jitsu Academy held its final class on Jan. 3, closing its doors after 13 years in business (Fyvie has joined the Spa City Jiu Jitsu Academy as a full-time teacher). But a new academy is already set to take its place, providing a home for local grapplers.
Kirby Ives is the head instructor of Malta Jiu Jitsu Academy, which is located next door to the old Eddie Fyvie location at 100 Saratoga Village Blvd. Ives is a black belt who trained under Fyvie, and his academy officially opens on Feb. 1 but is already accepting new students. Ives has been active in the local jiu jitsu scene for decades.
“I wanted to be a ninja when I was a little kid,” Ives told Saratoga TODAY. “I saw ‘Enter the Dragon’ when I was four years old and I was like, ‘That’s who I want to be.’”
With visions of Bruce Lee dancing in his head, Ives started wrestling in school and then took up boxing as a teenager before getting into jiu jitsu. One of his early mentors was Saratoga TODAY publisher Chad Beatty.
“Chad brought high-level jiu jitsu to Upstate New York,” Ives said. “After a few months of training in his basement, I was being exposed to unbelievable technique. I was meeting unbelievable guys that fought in Pride and UFC and Pancrase.”
At one point in his life, Ives was forced to navigate a challenging personal situation that left him feeling lost. But rather than turn towards unhealthy ways of dealing with his emotions, he instead found jiu jitsu.
“Jiu jitsu is something that absolutely empowers people and allows for a paradigm shift and gives people a sense of what is possible when you’re firing on all cylinders,” he said. “Your problem-solving skills are better, your sense of confidence is better. You move through space differently, in a physical way. You start to exude a certain vibe that people can recognize.”
For those interested in signing up with the Malta Jiu Jitsu Academy, a founder’s rate discount is available if they join prior to the Feb. 1 official opening.
There are a few ways to get in touch with the new academy: by phone (518-937-4899), email (maltajiujitsu@gmail.com), and Facebook (at the Malta Jiu Jitsu Academy page).
Junior Alvarado atop Sovereignty, winner of the 2025 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga. Photo by Angelo Lieto, provided by NYRA.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced on Tuesday that tickets and hospitality offerings for the final Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at the Saratoga Race Course will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. at BelmontStakes.com/tickets.
This year will mark the third and final edition of Belmont at Saratoga. Beginning in 2027, the Belmont Stakes will return to its permanent home on Long Island at the newly-constructed Belmont Park.
Highlighted by the 158th running of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6, the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held from Wednesday, June 3, through Sunday, June 7.
Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 21, and continuing through Tuesday, Jan. 27, fans may enter a presale drawing at NYRA.com/belmont-stakes/presale/ for the chance to purchase reserved seating and hospitality packages in advance of the general public on-sale.
Fans selected at random will be notified beginning Thursday, Jan. 29, and in the ensuing days, with the opportunity to purchase Belmont Stakes Festival tickets based on available inventory. Entering the pre-sale drawing does not guarantee the ability to purchase tickets, nor does it prevent fans from participating in the public on-sale offering on Feb. 12.
Belmont Stakes Day General Admission tickets will be available for the same price as last year: $75 for adults and $20 for children ages 4 to 12. Admission is $30 for adults on Friday, June 5, and $10 on each of the other festival days. Admission is free for children 12 and under on each day other than Saturday, June 6. In addition, fans may purchase a five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival admission bundle for $120.
Fan-related protocols will reflect a continuation of policies that were introduced for the 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.
The opening and closing days of the Festival, Wednesday, June 3, and Sunday, June 7, will feature policies that align with the traditional Saratoga summer meet, including the opportunity for fans to bring alcohol into the backyard in small personal coolers.
Outside alcohol may not be brought into the venue from Thursday, June 4, through Saturday, June 6; however, fans may carry food and non-alcoholic beverages into Saratoga Race Course during these days provided the items are stored in personal coolers.
With the new Belmont Park to re-open in September for live racing, 2026 will mark the final year of adjustments to the customary racing schedule at Saratoga. In 2027, Belmont Park will once again host the Belmont Stakes and July 4th Racing Festivals, while Saratoga will revert to its traditional 40-day summer meet.
BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa Junior Baseball is holding an offseason social event on Feb. 7 in support of the league.
The night will feature live music (courtesy of The Bootleggers), food, beverages, a 50/50 raffle, and up-for-grabs raffle baskets.
Tickets are available at www.ballstonspabaseball.org.
The Ballston Spa Junior Baseball league offers a range of recreational and competitive travel baseball options for players throughout the Ballston Spa Central School District, including Malta, Milton, Ballston Spa, Rock City Falls, and surrounding areas. It offers spring, summer, and fall seasons. The program is also considered a pathway for young players to eventually join their middle and high school teams.
Photo provided by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will give its first 25 visitors a free, commemorative, packable museum blanket with paid admission on Monday, Jan. 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The museum will be open on the holiday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Museum, which is otherwise closed on Monday and Tuesday from January through May and Sept. 8 through December, will be open on the following Monday holidays in 2026:
• Feb. 16, Presidents’ Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (featuring “The Forgotten Foundation: How Black Equestrians Helped Build American Thoroughbred Racing” lecture at 11 a.m.)
• May 26, Memorial Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sept. 7, Labor Day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Oct. 12, Columbus Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Additional Monday giveaways and special programming on those dates will be announced soon.
MECHANICVILLE — The Saratoga Racers rang in the new year on the road, splitting a pair of contests on Jan. 3 and 11. The American Basketball Association (ABA) squad will wrap up its away series with two more games this weekend against the Hudson Valley Rivermen and Herkimer Originals, before returning home on Jan. 24.
On Jan. 3, against the Binghamton Bulldogs, Saratoga fell 127 to 109 in a game that featured 11 lead changes. It was the Racers’ second-straight loss, dropping their season record to 4-3. All three of the Racers’ losses this season have come at the hands of teams ranked in the top 20 of the ABA’s weekly power rankings.
John Ryals III collected 24 points to lead all Saratoga scorers. The Racers poured in buckets at will in the paint, shooting 38-65 from inside the arc and 9-26 (35%) from beyond the arc. Saratoga pressured the ball all game, collecting 17 steals. Tobias Holmes led his team with 3 swipes. Joey Harden led Saratoga with 7 rebounds. Holmes finished with 19 points, RJ Rosa added 13, and Isaiah Grandison and Luke Perez both netted 11.
On Jan. 11, the Racers fared better, beating the Boston Sharks 161 to 124. The victory improved Saratoga’s season record to 5-3. Donovan Williams scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 13 assists, earning the first-ever triple-double in Racer’s history.
Holmes led all scorers with 39 points, and every other Racer who played in the contest finished with a double-digit scoring performance.
Saratoga controlled the game from the opening tip, never giving up the advantage. The lead reached a peak of 48 points at 106-58.
The Racers again scored at will in the paint. They went 48-77 from inside the arc. They controlled the glass, collecting 66 total rebounds, with Isaiah Grandison leading the team with 16 boards. Williams led his squad with 13 assists and 7 steals. Additional top scorers for Saratoga included Rosa (32 points), Wheelings (25), Cam Thomas (19), Grandison (18), Williams (15), and Perez (13).
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Two snowshoe events organized by Saratoga Stryders, an affiliate chapter of the Road Runners Club of America, are planned for next month.
The Saratoga Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. in the Saratoga Spa State Park. There will be no indoor facilities and participants will meet in the quadrangle near the restrooms.
The Camp Saratoga 8K Snowshoe Race will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park.
Registration for both events can be done online through www.runsignup.com with day-of onsite. A limited supply of Dion snowshoes will be available to rent for $10 on a first come/first serve basis.
For more information about these events, visit www.saratogastryders.org. Questions? Call Laura at 518-581-1278 or laura@saratogastryders.org.
Photo of Leo O’Brien by Coglianese Photo, provided by the New York Racing Association (NYRA).
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association (NYRA) recently mourned the loss of legendary trainer Leo O’Brien, who passed away on Jan. 8 at the age of 85 following a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
O’Brien trained New York-bred millionaires Fourstardave, Fourstars Allstar, and Irish Linnet. Fourstardave was nicknamed “The Sultan of Saratoga” because he won at least one race at the Saratoga Race Course every year from 1987 to 1994. The Fourstardave sports bar at the track was named in the horse’s honor, as was the Grade 1 Fourstardave race run each summer at the Spa.
O’Brien and his late wife, Joan, raised two children together. Their daughter Leona worked in the NYRA press box from 1992-95 and is married to Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who is the all-time leading rider at Saratoga.
The Irish-born O’Brien rose to prominence in the United States as a steeplechase jockey from 1964-76. When his riding career was cut short due to injury, he returned to Ireland to begin training steeplechase horses. He came back to the U.S. in 1981 with a solitary horse, Sports Reporter, who captured the International Gold Cup Steeplechase Handicap that September at Ligonier and, one month later, finished sixth in the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Handicap at Belmont Park. O’Brien would later make his name on the flat with the illustrious multiple graded stakes-winner Fourstardave.
Richard Migliore was the regular rider for Fourstardave’s last two seasons of racing and was aboard for his final score at Saratoga on July 24, 1994.
“My last win on Fourstardave was my favorite,” Migliore said. “It was the last hurrah, the last go-around, and there was so much pressure that day to keep the streak alive and go out a winner at Saratoga. The horse ended up being much the best that day, and I just had to keep him out of trouble. He was a special horse – how many horses will even race up there eight years in a row, let alone win eight years in a row?”
Upon his passing, Fourstardave was laid to rest at Clare Court on the Saratoga backstretch.
While Fourstardave enjoys legend status in Saratoga, his full-brother Fourstars Allstar would make history for O’Brien, becoming the first American-trained horse to win a European Classic by taking the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas in 1991 with future Hall of Famer Mike Smith at the helm.
O’Brien and his son-in-law Velazquez teamed up with a number of the venerable trainer’s top horses, including the multiple graded stakes-winner Irish Linnet, who won 19-of-62 starts for purse earnings in excess of $1.2 million.
According to Equibase statistics, O’Brien posted a record of 6,477-568-677-691 for purse earnings in excess of $27 million over his storied career.
In addition to his children Keith and Leona, he is survived by his grandchildren Lerina, Michael, Darby, Liam, Jacinta, Muireannm, and Jonjo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in O’Brien’s name to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and/or the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy.
Saratoga Springs wrestler Danny Dacey was named Division 1 Wrestler of the Week by Friends of Section 2 Wrestling on Jan. 8.
Saratoga Central Catholic’s star girls varsity basketball player Sophia Ryan. Photo via SCC Athletics.
SPA CATHOLIC BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM RETURNS TO WINNING WAYS
After a tough three-game losing streak, the 6-4 Saratoga Central Catholic boys basketball team rebounded, earning three wins in their last four games.
On Dec. 29, the Saints snapped their losing streak with a 75 to 68 victory against Cambridge. The following day, they fell to Schuylerville by just one point, 53 to 52. In that close contest, Jasyn Thompson had 13 points, Thomas Zayac added 13, and Kihl Kelly chipped in 8.
On Jan. 3, Spa Catholic bested Corinth, 79 to 51. Thompson led his squad with 20 points, Kingston Davis had 15, and Kelly put 12 more on the board for Saratoga.
On Jan. 9, the Saints defeated Tamarac, 63 to 58. For Spa Catholic, David Redgrave Jr. netted 19 points, Bryce Peterson added 13, and Thompson contributed 8 points along with a whopping 8 blocks.
LADY SAINTS SNAP LOSING STREAK
The Saratoga Central Catholic girl’s basketball team has also struggled recently, falling in four-straight games before stopping the bleeding with a Jan. 12 win against Waterford-Halfmoon, 47 to 35. In that game, sharpshooter Sophia Ryan had a game-high 24 points, and Addison Whitbeck added 16 for the Saints.
On Jan. 8, Tamarac defeated Spa Catholic 67 to 59. Ryan had a stunning 34 points and Whitbeck netted 24.
In a 47 to 41 loss against Granville on Dec. 30, Ryan scored 23 and Whitbeck added 6 for the Lady Saints.
With their latest win against Waterford-Halfmoon, Spa Catholic improved their season record to 6-5.
“DANGEROUS” DANNY DACEY CROWNED WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
“Dangerous” Danny Dacey earned Week 3’s Division 1 “Wrestler of the Week” honors from the Friends of Section 2 Wrestling.
Dacey recently won a gold medal at the Windsor Christmas Tournament on Dec. 29., placed 2nd at the Saratoga Invitational on Jan. 3, and pinned three competitors at the Lee Van Slyke Memorial Duals on Dec. 20.
SCHUYLERVILLE COACHES EARN ACCOLADES
Schuylerville High School varsity football coach John Bowen was recently named the Times Union Small School Coach of the Year, following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Bowen guided the Black Horses to a Section 2 championship and an 11–1 overall record, with the season ending in the state semifinals. Coming off a historic prior year for the program, Bowen made it clear early on that this team would not live in the shadow of the past.
“We’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge some of the blueprint from last year, but we put that behind us and focused on moving forward,” said Bowen. “We weren’t going to spend time looking in the rearview mirror. This was their team—their narrative to write, their chapter in the book of Schuylerville football. The seniors did an unbelievable job owning that.”
Schuylerville High School varsity girl’s soccer head coach Paul Rogan also recently received an honor: 2025 Class B Section 2 Coach of the Year. Under Coach Rogan’s leadership, the team advanced to the Section 2 Class B championship game for the first time in program history, finishing the season as sectional runners-up with a 12-4-3 win-loss-tie record. The milestone appearance marked a breakthrough year and highlighted the team’s growth, resilience, and competitive spirit. Rogan credited the success to his players and staff.
“Being named Coach of the Year is a testament to the skill and dedication of the wonderful players on the team, as well as the efforts of coaches Wian, Gallagher, and Letzring, and the athletic department,” said Rogan. “Coaching the Schuylerville varsity soccer team continues to be one of the great joys of my life. This year’s team embraced the challenge of a highly competitive schedule, never backed down from anyone, and always brought their very best effort. Their determination and heart defined our season. I look forward to next year’s team building on the successes of this year’s group.”
SKIDMORE HOCKEY EVENS OUT SEASON RECORD
Coleman Jenkins scored the game winner with 4:02 remaining as Matthew Franzoi scored twice for the Skidmore College men’s hockey team in a 4-2 victory over visiting Plattsburgh State last Saturday night. Skidmore (6-6-2, 3-3-1 SUNYAC) scored the contest’s first two goals and overcame two quick Plattsburgh goals to tie it up for the win. Franzoi, a senior, opened the scoring at 12:22 of the first period and added his second goal of the night at 5:44 of the second to give the Thoroughbreds a 2-0 lead. Jenkins netted the game-winning goal with 4:02 remaining in the third period, finishing a feed from Shane Baker and Jack Bartfield.
Skidmore outshot the Cardinals 37-23, including a 28-15 advantage through two periods. Both teams went scoreless on the power play while also both scoring shorthanded goals. Skidmore surrendered just one shot across its two penalty kills.
Up next, Skidmore is back at home to host Potsdam (Jan. 16) and Canton (Jan. 17) at the Saratoga City Rink.
SKIDMORE WOMEN’S B-BALL TEAM SCORES FIRST LEAGUE VICTORY
The Skidmore College women’s basketball team led from start to finish in a 65-49 Liberty League road victory over William Smith College last Friday night. Skidmore (3-7, 1-2 Liberty League) controlled the lead for 38.5 of the game’s 40 minutes (96 percent) and faced just one deficit in the evening (3-2). Madison Meyer paced the Thoroughbreds with 16 points to go along with six rebounds and two steals. Claudia Schneider chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Ruby Krop and Stella Criniti each scored eight points for Skidmore. Krop also posted a game-high eight rebounds and four blocks.
The Thoroughbreds held decisive edges in points off turnovers (25-9), second-chance points (20-4), and bench scoring (25-8). Skidmore limited the Herons to single digit scoring in both the first and second quarters, building a commanding 32-17 halftime advantage. The Thoroughbreds outscored WSC 22-6 in the paint during the opening half. Skidmore extended the margin with a 15-2 run spanning nearly eight minutes, highlighted by a stretch of nine unanswered points. A Criniti 3-pointer in the final minute of the third quarter pushed Skidmore’s lead to a game-high 20 at 51-31. The Thoroughbreds again led by 20 in the fourth before a late William Smith push set the 65-49 final.
Skidmore has now won 10 straight meetings against William Smith, with the Herons’ last victory in the series coming in 2019.
