SARATOGA SPRINGS — It has been another successful summer for the Saratoga Springs Little League, with both its 11U and 12U All-Stars teams qualifying for the New York State Little League Tournament yet again.

The Saratoga Springs 12U squad made its return to states in grand fashion, allowing just nine runs total across 11 games en route to the state tournament. Head coach Chris Lansing said the team’s pitching and defense were “fantastic” on the way to states.

“We did really well. My pitching was fantastic, my defense was fantastic,” said Lansing. “We kind of struggled to hit early in a lot of games, but came on in the fourth or fifth inning.”

Lansing, who said he began coaching the team during the fall of their 10U season, said that the current group of 12U players is the first from Saratoga Springs Little League to qualify for the state tournament for three consecutive years.

“We’re actually the first Saratoga Little League team to go to states with a group at (ages) 10, 11, and 12,” Lansing said. “And in fairness, there were a couple teams a few years ago that could’ve done it, probably had a good shot, but the COVID year kind of wiped that out for them.”

He said it was “meaningful” to be able to return to states with the team.

“I’m so proud of the boys,” said Lansing. “It was really important to me to come back here, and let them soak it in that last year. … I really felt like they deserved it.”

The 12U team opened pool play of the state tournament on Monday, falling 5-2 to Massapequa. Lansing said despite the loss, he felt the team “hung in there.” The squad bounced back on Tuesday, defeating Penfield 5-3. 

The Saratoga 12U team finished pool play Thursday with a game against East Greenbush that ended after press time. Check saratogatodaynewspaper.com for updates on Thursday’s results.

Lansing said he emphasized to the team to “have fun,” noting one of his main goals was for the team to enjoy the experience.

“I really just have been preaching for them to have fun and soak it in, because this is obviously the last time they’re going to come here,” said Lansing after Monday’s game. 

The Saratoga 11U team finished 5-0 in district play, defeating Mechanicville-Stillwater in the District Championship to advance to the state tournament. 

While the 11U All-Stars were eliminated following an 8-2 loss to Harrison District on Sunday, head coach T.J. Jordan said the experience was ultimately a chance for the team to “enjoy the moment.”

“It’s like life,” said Jordan. “You live it one day at a time, and enjoy it, because the next day’s not guaranteed.”

Jordan said the team enjoyed their time at states, saying, “These kids are great.”

“We drew that late game the first day, so we kind of just hung out, playing cards,” Jordan said. “I enjoy spending time with them, and they love hanging with each other.”

The 11U squad earned wins over Mechanicville-Stillwater, Rotterdam-Carman, and Scotia-Glenville en route to the district title. Jordan highlighted the matchup against Scotia-Glenville, noting that Saratoga trailed 3-2 before rallying to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth inning.

“We have this weird tradition where we take away on the coin flip,” said Jordan. “Win or lose, we take away. In that particular game, we were down 3-2 going into the top of the sixth. It was our last ups, we laid a bunt down and ended up coming back and winning 4-3 that game.”

The team opened its state schedule with a matchup against Penfield, falling 12-0, prior to its elimination matchup against Harrison.

While the team was unable to come away with a win, Jordan said it was “great” to be able to bring the squad back to states after coaching the Saratoga Springs 10U team to the state tournament last summer.

Lansing said the Saratoga Springs Little League program as a whole is “super strong right now.”

“I think that says a lot, and I think the program is incredibly strong,” Lansing said. “I think baseball in Saratoga is really strong right now.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Camp Abilities Saratoga, a week-long summer camp offering adaptive sports and recreational opportunities for children and teens who are blind or visually impaired, returns July 30 to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Hosted at Skidmore College, the camp is a service project of the Saratoga Springs Lions Club, and initially began in the summer of 2014, said Immediate Past President John McDonald. 

McDonald described the camp as “an active educational sports camp” for blind or visually impaired children and teens. The camp is open to ages 10 to 17, and has hosted roughly 215 campers in its 10 years, McDonald said.

“It’s multi-faceted, really, what we offer to them,” said McDonald. “It helps build their self-esteem, their confidence, introduces them to the world of adaptive sports, and all of the things and opportunities that sports bring to them.”

The camp also offers kids an opportunity to experience a week away from home in a college-like setting, with McDonald noting the camp may also be the first time that many younger campers are spending time away from home.

“With that whole week together, they’re spending time with their peers, who have the same challenges that they do,” McDonald said. “They’re on a college campus for a full week, so it gets them that opportunity to kind of feel like what it would be to go away to college. It’s just huge, what those offerings are for the campers.”

Campers participate in a wide variety of adaptive sports throughout the week, including soccer, baseball, track and field, tandem biking, judo, swimming, and more. McDonald emphasized that all sports offered at the camp are adaptive.

Campers also travel off-campus for activities around the city, with McDonald listing examples such as bowling at the Saratoga Strike Zone, kayaking on Saratoga Lake, and visiting the Saratoga Ninja Lab in Malta.

McDonald emphasized that the camp is free to attend, with a variety of fundraising efforts that help campers attend at no cost to them or their families.

“Through our fundraising and grant-writing, the camp is 100% free for campers,” said McDonald.

McDonald said the camp receives strong support from businesses in the local community.

“Locally, we get a lot of support,” said McDonald. “We do a program at the Ninja Lab. We do skating at the ice rink. In the past, we’ve done golf at Saratoga National.”

McDonald also noted that Jason Morris of the Jason Morris Judo Center initially began working with the camp in its first year, saying judo is “a very popular event with the campers.”

While the camp is a service project of the Saratoga Springs Lions Club, McDonald also said many other area Lions Clubs step up to offer their support each year, including the Ballston Spa, Greenfield, Duane, and Glens Falls Lions Clubs among others.

“A number of them do dinners for us in the evening,” McDonald said. “There’s probably 20 clubs that, in some way, either financial or hands-on, help support the camp.”

The camp’s nightly dinners are also donated by local businesses and organizations, with McDonald saying Mama Mia’s, P.J.’s BAR-B-QSA, and the Ballston Spa and Greenfield Lions Clubs are among those who are providing meals this year.

Campers are set to arrive Sunday, July 30. The camp runs throughout the week, with campers staying in dorms on the Skidmore College campus. A majority of camp activities are held on the Skidmore campus, with transportation arranged for the off-campus activities.

The camp will hold a picnic in the Saratoga Spa State Park on Friday, McDonald said, and conclude on Saturday, Aug. 5, with a closing ceremony where parents can arrive to observe their children participating.

“We do a closing ceremony, and then the parents get to see the kids in some of the sports they’ve participated in,” McDonald said. “Another big part of the camp is (that) we do an assessment of the camper’s skills, and how they’ve progressed.”

McDonald said the assessments are sent to both the children’s parents and their school.

“Lots of times, kids don’t get the opportunity. They may be in a school system that doesn’t provide the opportunities for them,” said McDonald. “That assessment … it shows that these students, while they might be blind or visually impaired, it doesn’t mean they can’t participate.”

McDonald said it is reaching 10 years is “a huge milestone” for the camp.

“This just fits perfectly with what we’re looking to do as Lions,” McDonald said. “To reach that milestone, it’s a huge accomplishment that we’re very, very proud of.”

The opening weekend of the Saratoga racing season can be broken into three distinct stories – weather, winning and wistfulness. 

As is often the case in Saratoga, the weather played havoc with the racing surfaces resulting in races moved to the main track with many entries scratching and depleted fields over wet tracks; Linda Rice continued to win at an extraordinary rate and the racing world noted the passing of Saratoga’s own Funny Cide. Each of those evoked feelings of familiarity and nostalgia for long-time racing fans.

Weather

The propensity for sudden strong downpours in Saratoga in July and August, has vexed racing officials for decades, as racing on the grass courses have grown in popularity with racing participants and fans.  When the rains come the grass courses are protected from long-term damage by switching those races to the main track. This results in numerous horses scratching to await another day and the resulting small fields present limited betting opportunities. 

Varied solutions to this pattern have been tried over the years without much success, including the addition of the Wilson Chute last year at great expense.  This intractable problem remains unsolved.  One approach that this writer has proposed (to no avail) is to group the grass races together at either the beginning or end of the racing card so that a short window of dry weather could accommodate all the day’s grass racing rather than the current practice of spreading them out over the seven-hour race day and hoping for extended dry weather. This is once again proposed for a trial period to see if it works – it might even be popular with fans and bettors who prefer one surface over the other.

Winning

Trainer Linda Rice, freshly off a successful legal appeal of a three-year suspension, continues to win at a remarkable rate thereby continuing the success she had at the recently concluded Belmont meet. Her five wins from thirteen starts during the opening few days is an astounding 38% and her in-the-money finishes are approaching 80%. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, her performance is evoking memories of her 2009 season when she was Saratoga’s leading trainer. Rice’s recent winners have won with much in reserve indicating multiple wins at the meet are a possibility for each of them. For handicappers in the next few weeks, Linda Rice-trainees are simply automatic contenders in any race you find them. 

Wistfulness

This weekend saw the passing of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. Born, raised, and owned by local Saratoga connections, Funny Cide captured the racing world in 2003 by upsetting the regally bred and owned Empire Maker in the Kentucky Derby. His follow up win in the Preakness led to his attempt to become a triple crown winner in the Belmont where he ran admirably in defeat. He was the first New York bred to win the Kentucky Derby, being foaled at McMahon’s Thoroughbred Farm here in Saratoga. His owners were also locally based – going by the name Sackatoga Stable, led thoughtfully by Jack Knowlton.

The ownership group showed little pretention and travelled together to and from his races in a rented school bus.  The eschewing of the conspicuous consumption that winners often succumb to resonated with fans.  His plebian connections contrasted with those of his main rival – Empire Maker. The little guy competing with and besting the privileged opponents reminded many of why racing is so fascinating. His connections obliged the desire of fans to see him by running him often and making him widely accessible. Even the attempts to market Funny Cide items such as beer, hats, shirts etc. was done gently and with good humor rather than exploitation.

As a gelding, there was no breeding shed for him to run off to and he competed in races until age seven. His retirement to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Kentucky allowed fans to continue to visit him in retirement and he made numerous appearances at tracks throughout the years.

The wistful feeling his passing evokes is one of good sportsmanship, good humor, humility from winners, a sense of limitless possibility for underdogs and generosity of one’s time and luck. In a sport where winning often brings out the worst in people (no need to name them but there are many) the Funny Cide crew remained a good story from beginning to end. As a bettor who was beaten by Funny Cide more often than I care to admit (I was a big Empire Maker fan) I salute him and has connections as representing racing at its best.

Cheers.

NEW YORK — The Jason Morris Judo Center’s Nicole Stout, who is the #1 US player at 78kg, showcased Judo to a crowd of over 500 people on June 23, taking on former top-five professional sumo wrestler Somoyama at the Sumo and Sushi event held in New York City.

Along with being invited to this distinctive event, Nicole Stout got to meet a sumo legend, Konishiki, the first foreigner and US citizen to reach Ozeki, the second highest rank in professional sumo.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College alum Jackson Hornung was selected in the 16th round (484th pick) of the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Hornung is the first Thoroughbred athlete to be drafted by a professional team, according to a release on the Skidmore Athletics website. 

“We couldn’t be happier for Jackson, as this is an incredible accomplishment for him and our entire program,” said Skidmore baseball coach Ron Plourde in the release. “He’s done everything the right way and is in this position because of his abilities, work ethic and great attitude. We wish him continued success in his professional career!”

Hornung was an NCAA Division III All-American, and was twice named Liberty League Player of the Year, the release states. In 98 career games, Hornung recorded a batting average of .430, with 22 home runs, 106 RBIs, and a .540 on-base percentage, according to his profile on the Skidmore Athletics website.

In his senior year, Hornung hit .424 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs, leading the Liberty League in slugging percentage and on-base percentage, the release states. A native of Ashland, Massachusetts, Hornung has played for both the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League and the North Shore Navigators of the New England Collegiate Baseball League this summer.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The first session of the Saints Baseball Camp was held last week, hosted by Saratoga Central Catholic varsity baseball head coach Alphonse Lambert and assistant coach Dale Long, Jr. 

Current and former SCC players also assist with instruction in the camp, according to the camp’s registration form. The second session of the camp will be held August 7 to 10 at West Side Recreation Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 2023 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course is underway and will continue through Monday, September 4. Racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day. Admission gates will open for live racing at 11 a.m. First post time is 1:10 p.m. (with exceptions for Whitney and Travers Days and closing weekend; Travers Day gates will open at 7 a.m.) The 2023 summer meet will feature the following events:

Week 2 Stake Races 

*Mondays and Tuesdays = Dark Days. No racing. 

Saratoga Live presents daily coverage of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course on FOX Sports. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit NYRA.com/SaratogaLive.

Friday, July 21  Curlin (R): 3YO, 1 1/8 – Dirt, Purse $135,000

GIII Lake George: F3YO, 1 Mile – Turf, Purse $175,000 

Saturday, July 22

GIII Caress: F&M 4&UP, 5 1/2 Furlongs – Turf, Purse $200,000

GI Coaching Club American Oaks: F3YO, 1 1/8 – Dirt, Purse $500,000

Sunday, July 23

GII Shuvee: F&M 4&UP, 1 1/8 – Dirt, Purse $200,000

Wednesday, July 26

GII Honorable Miss Handicap: F&M 3&UP, 6 Furlongs – Dirt, Purse $200,000

Thursday, July 27

Birdstone: 4&UP, 1 3/4 – Dirt, Purse $150,000

Premium Giveaways

Friday, July 21

COOLER JUG PRESENTED BY NYRA BETS

The first giveaway of the season is a Saratoga branded, 64-ounce, red and white cooler jug, presented by NYRA Bets.

Community Outreach Booth

As part of NYRA’s season-long commitment to spreading awareness of local non-profits, NYRA will again host one organization each day in the Community Outreach Booth, located adjacent to the Jockey Silks Room, inside Gate B. On Opening Day, NYRA will host Jewish War Veterans Post 36 – Saratoga Springs, a leading Veterans Service Organization that supports and advocates for all uniformed service members, veterans and their families.

Friday, July 21: Saratoga Bridges

Saturday, July 22: After the Fire

Sunday, July 23: Amplify Horse Racing

Wednesday, July 26: Ávila Independent Retirement Community

Thursday, July 27: Saratoga Springs Fire Department

Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage

The Purdy’s Summer Concert Stage will host live musical performances each afternoon of the season from popular local and regional bands. This year’s summer music stage is presented by Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor in Saratoga Springs.

Friday, July 21: Mark and Jill Blues

Saturday, July 22: IMI

Sunday, July 23: The Hawthornes

Wednesday, July 26: Bluebillies

Thursday, July 27: Fenimore Blues

HANDICAPPING SEMINAR AND MEET-AND-GREET

Every Sunday beginning July 23

Enjoy your Sunday at the races in the Spa’s newest hospitality venue, the climate-controlled Paddock Suite, learning betting strategies and tips from expert handicappers. Guests will also be treated to a meet-and-greet with Saratoga Race Course’s new track announcer Frank Mirahmadi, along with a rotating cast of on-track talent, personalities and VIPs. Tickets can be purchased through Fevo.

Berkshire Bank Family ZONE 

Fans will enjoy 40 days of the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, an interactive play area for children located near Gate A, which will be supplemented by Berkshire Bank Family Sundays.

Berkshire Bank Family Sundays – Every Sunday:

The popular family-friendly weekly event features a wide variety of free activities, games, attractions and educational experiences from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Berkshire Bank Family Zone, located inside Gate A near the Saratoga Race Course Box Office. For July 23, the theme is Christmas in July and will feature a holiday DIY craft station, giant snow globe, carnival booth and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

First Responders Day

Thursday, July 27

First Responders Day pays tribute to first responders with free general admission (proper ID required). Special events will include a Police K-9 infield show, performances by the New York State Trooper Pipes and Drums, and demonstrations by several first responder agencies.

SARATOGA LOW ROLLER CONTEST

Every Thursday And Sunday 

Horseplayers can enjoy the Saratoga Low Roller Contest held exclusively on-track every Thursday and Sunday at Saratoga Race Course. Fans can pre-register on contest days outside the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar. There is a $40 buy-in, of which $30 will go to the player’s bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. The winner will receive a Saratoga Low Roller championship T-shirt in addition to the cash prize.

Taste NY Pavilion

Every Thursday – Sunday

New York-made food and beverages will be available for sample and purchase at the Taste NY Pavilion, located inside Gate A at the Top of the Stretch, where fans can enjoy New York craft beer, cider, wine, spirits, cheese, chocolate and gelato. This year marks a decade since the launch of the Taste NY program. 

SARATOGA Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tours

Every Wednesday – Friday 

Expanded for its second year, NYRA is continuing the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour. Tours this year will be offered Wednesday through Friday throughout the meet. Wednesday tours will travel to Song Hill Thoroughbreds, while Thursday and Friday tours will visit Old Tavern Farm.

Guests will enjoy a buffet breakfast at Saratoga Race Course before taking a CDTA trolley to the designated farm, where they will participate in a 60- to 90-minute guided walking tour of a working thoroughbred breeding farm. Admission to the races in the afternoon is included in the package. Tickets, which are $85 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, must be reserved in advance at NYRA.com.

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE RAIL OF THE 1863 CLUB

Every Sunday 

Fans are invited to enjoy a brunch buffet while experiencing The Rail at the 1863 Club, the first-floor banquet space at the 1863 Club. Tickets start at $100 and include admission, a table seat for the day, brunch buffet, soft drinks, two mimosa or Bloody Mary drink tickets per person, Post Parade program book, tax and gratuity. Reservations are available by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844-NYRA-TIX or online at Ticketmaster.com.

Breakfast at Saratoga

Breakfast at Saratoga welcomes guests to enjoy a morning buffet at The Porch with a view of the thoroughbreds training on the main track. Breakfast is available every live racing day from 7 to 9:30 a.m., excluding Travers Day and Labor Day. 

Fans can also go behind the scenes with a free, guided backstretch tram tour, driven by CDTA. Tram tours run from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and depart from the clubhouse entrance approximately every 15 minutes. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are 45 minutes in length. Tours are available every live racing day with the exception of Travers Day and Labor Day.

QUEENSBURY — The West Mountain School has been selected as a recipient of a grant from the Killington World Cup Foundation, the school announced in a press release.

The grant award will help fund the WMS Capital “Building For The Future” Campaign for the race building expansion at West Mountain slated to begin this summer, the release states. In all, the Killington World Cup Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $270,000 to Northeast area nonprofits in nine states for the upcoming ski season.