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THE BELMONT STAKES.. TALES OF VICTORY AND DEFEAT

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

Belmont Park development. Photo courtesy of NYRA.

This Saturday marks the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes. Let’s take a look at the history of Belmont Park and some of the memorable moments of the “Test of Champions.”

Belmont Park was the brainchild of August Belmont Jr. When it opened for it’s inaugural meeting in 1905, the facility was a marvel for its time. It was larger and more opulent than any other racetrack in the country.

Due to its deteriorating condition the track was rebuilt after the 1962 racing season. Opened for business again in 1968, the new version of Belmont was applauded for its attractive grounds and architectural design. It was built to accommodate large crowds in an era when upwards of 40,000 fans attended the races on any given Saturday. With the advent of OTB, Simulcast and the Casino boom those days are long over. 

Plans have been made to replace the existing structure with a state of the art sports complex at the Long Island landmark. The racing facility will be built on a more manageable scale, allowing for a comfortable, fan friendly experience.

The Belmont Stakes has long been the premier event of the track’s prestigious Spring meeting. August Belmont Sr.  founded the race in 1867. It had its inaugural running at Jerome Park. The elder Belmont was one of the original owners of the long departed track. 

The race is the third jewel of the Triple Crown Series. It is one of America’s most sought after horse racing trophies. No less than 21 winners of the event have been named Horse of the Year in the 87 years that there has been polling for that honor. Of note, although there had been conflicting ones since 1936, it was not until 1971 that they were consolidated as one of the first Eclipse Awards. 

Sir Barton was the first Triple Crown winner in 1919. Since then 36 three year olds have come to Belmont Park with Triple Crown aspirations. 23 of them failed in their attempt to navigate the mile and a half oval. The 13 that pranced into the winner’s circle have achieved immortality.

Those that took the Crown are familiar names. Secretariat, Citation, Count Fleet, Seattle Slew, Affirmed and American Pharoah are among them. The above mentioned are in the elite  of America’s greatest racehorses.

Secretariat is without question the most memorable winner of the race.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of his awe inspiring performance. He absolutely annihilated his opposition with a 31 length victory. Add to that a

world record for the mile and a half distance. 

Man O’ War, America’s most revered race horse took the 1920 Belmont by 20 lengths. He easily set the world record for the one and three eighth miles event. In 1926 the race was lengthened to its current mile and a half distance. Unfortunately the wonder horse was not entered in the Kentucky Derby, denying him what would have been a cakewalk to the Triple Crown. 

The immensely talented Count Fleet turned more than a few heads when Johnny Longden guided him to a 25 length score in the 1943 rendition.

The three great warriors had beaten their opponents by a combined total of 76 lengths. Their grand exploits on the racetrack earned this trio first class tickets to the Pantheon of Champions.

Let’s take a look at a few of the unlucky ones that came so close to the Crown. One that stands out in the annals of the race is Tim Tam. In 1958 the Calumet Farms runner looked like a cinch to join Calumet’s Whirlaway and Citation as Triple Crown winners. To this day he is the shortest priced betting favorite to race in the Belmont Stakes. During the stretch run Tim Tam broke a bone in his right foreleg. He hung on for a gallant second to the Irish bred Cavan. Tim Tam is an honored member of horse racing’s Hall of Fame.

When we look at the could have beens, the great champion Spectacular Bid requires attention. It was a forgone conclusion that he would take the Belmont and join the Triple Crown Club. Unfortunately he stepped on a pin in his stall the night before the race. He most likely would have overcome that, except for an amateurish ride by his young and inexperienced jockey Ronnie Franklin. He chased a front running long shot who had absolutely no chance of  winning the race. The foolish maneuver put an end to The Bid’s dream. His trainer Grover G Delp called him “the greatest horse to ever look through a bridle.” The heartfelt quote can be taken seriously…Spectacular Bid, a champion of the highest order.

Then there was Real Quiet. He took both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 1998. At the Belmont Stakes he drew clear of the field, only to be run down by Victory Gallup at the wire. With the closest finish in the history of the race, a mere nose  separated Real Quiet from the immortals.

There won’t be a Triple Crown winner in this running of the Belmont Stakes.  It by no means take diminishes the importance of the race. It stands on its own as one of Americas greatest sporting events. 

Time is running out for the 1968  version of Belmont park. Soon work will begin on its transformation to an all new experience. The reconstruction effort will begin after next years Spring meeting. It is expected to reopen in 2026.

This Saturday, June 10th will be one of the last opportunities to witness the race at historic Belmont Park as it looks today. Sit back, take in the experience and enjoy the excitement that will unfold at the Belmont Stakes.. An American Tradition.

Athlete of the Week: Jenna Amodio, Saratoga Girls Lacrosse

Written by Dylan McGlynn on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

Photo provided by Jennifer Furze.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs varsity girls lacrosse team beat Shaker on May 24 for its first Section 2 title since 2018, and the Blue Streaks’ sophomore goaltender played a major role in the team’s return to the top of Class A.

Jenna Amodio, Saratoga’s goalie, made 10 saves on 15 shots in the sectional championship, helping guide the Blue Streaks to an 8-5 win over the Blue Bison.

Amodio recorded 170 saves on the season, her second year as the team’s starting goaltender. Head coach Jennifer Furze said Amodio has “always been a standout.”

“She’s so quick, her instincts are just so fast,” said Furze. “She’s just an athlete, across the board.”

Amodio also plays hockey, and held an important role as a defender for the Adirondack United varsity girls hockey team in their run to the state championship game in February. She spent the previous winter playing with the Saratoga varsity boys hockey team.

“She never shuts down. Even on crease drives and things like that, she’ll come out and challenge the ball,” Furze said. “She’s not afraid of getting hit. She gets hit a lot. … She’s just an aggressive goaltender.”

Amodio has also stepped up in the postseason for the Blue Streaks on multiple occasions. In addition to this year’s sectional title game, her strong performance as a freshman helped Saratoga pull off an upset victory over top-seeded Bethlehem in triple overtime during last year’s Section 2 Class A semifinals.

“She was so instrumental in that win,” said Furze. “When we get into these high-intensity, pressured games, Jenna just comes up big for us. She thrives from it.”

Furze, who helped lead the Blue Streaks to a sectional championship in her first season as varsity coach, said the feeling is “surreal.” However, she also said that she recognized the team’s potential early on.

“From the beginning of the season, I saw the potential in this team. The connections, both on and off the field,” Furze said. “From very early on in the season, I just thought they had what it takes. … So I wasn’t entirely surprised, but just very excited for them.”

Furze said she is “so happy” she took the varsity role, saying she feels fortunate to coach the team.

“We had such a great, rewarding season,” said Furze. “It was awesome.”

Scotties Stampede 5K Held in B’Spa

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa Central School District recently hosted the annual Scotties Stampede 5k Run/Walk as part of the district’s Wellness Day 2023. The event followed a highly popular Kids Color Run with close to 300 students enjoying a run around the campus amidst clouds of color chalk. 

The top three finishers of the Scotties 5k were Andrew Wade in first place, Ari Bishop in second place and Robert Diamond in third place. Complete results are available via the ARE events website.

The Gold Level Sponsors of the event were Empire BlueCross and Blue Shield. Silver Level Sponsors included Roundabout Runners Club, CDPHP, Adirondack Cabling, Inc., New York State Sheriffs’ Association, NYSSA – C-Pass, Ballston Spa National Bank and Speckled Pig Brewing Co. Bronze Level Sponsors were High Rock Realty, Inc., John W Danforth Company, Leonard Bus Sales Inc., Adirondack Trust Company, Elliott Property Services and T-Shirt Graphics. The Community Level Supporter was Harold R Clune, Inc.

The Wellness Expo once again offered information from community organizations, a free bike raffle, live demonstrations and plenty of great giveaways during the event. The goal is to bring the school community together for a fun-filled day and encourage students and families to participate in healthy and active lifestyles.

As in year’s past, proceeds from the event will support the district’s Ballston Spa Partnership for Innovation in Education Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Call the Office of Community Relations and Program Support at 518-884-7195 x1369 or contact Kelly Delaney-Elliott at kelliott@bscsd.org for more information.

Schuylerville Girls Track Wins Section 2 Group 3 Championship

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Photo provided by Schuylerville Central School District.

CRARYVILLE —The Schuylerville varsity girls track team used a balanced effort to take home the Section 2 Group 3 Championship on Thursday at Taconic Hills High School.

With a total of 111 points, the Black Horses’ girls squad finished in first, beating out second-place Albany Academy for Girls (86 points). Schuylerville received event victories from Nikki Stark, Ryan Stark, and Meaghan Lynch en route to the team win.

See below for full results from top finishers for the Schuylerville boys and girls teams:

Schuylerville Girls

Nikki Stark won the 400-meter hurdles (1:06.22), while Ryan Stark won the pole vault (9’ 6”). Meaghan Lynch took first place in the triple jump (35’ 11.5”).

Keira Rogan placed second in both the 1,500-meter (4:55.30) and the 3,000-meter (10:36.39), while Adeline Ballou finished second in the 2,000-meter steeplechase (7:57.45), and third in both the 1,500-meter (5:14.37) and the 3,000-meter (11:26.98).

Ryan Stark also placed second in the long jump (15’ 10.75”), and sixth in the triple jump (32’ 3”). Nikki Stark finished third in the 100-meter hurdles (16.16). 

The team of Ryan Stark, Nikki Stark, Riley VanCott, and Lynch placed second in the 4 x 100 relay (51.83). In the 4 x 400 relay, the team of VanCott, Alayna Wian, Nikki Stark, and Megan Vianese placed third (4:18.67). The team of Lillian Letzring, Taylor Brown, Sidney Jacobs, and Louisa Fabritius finished third in the 4 x 800 relay (11:02.61).

Lynch also placed fourth in the long jump (15’ 7.25”). Vianese finished fourth in the 800-meter (2:33.23), with Hannah Yonkin fifth (2:36.54). Bailey Campbell placed sixth in the pentathlon (1,855).

Schuylerville Boys

The Schuylerville boys team finished 16th, with a total of six points. Gavin Winacott placed fourth in the 3,200-meters (10:38.25), while James Lynch finished fifth in the pole vault (11’ 0”) and ninth in the 1,600-meters (5:02.67).

Levi Michaud placed seventh in the high jump (5’ 3”), while Sam Dwyer finished eighth in the 100-meter (11.63).

Saratoga Athletes Earn Individual Victories at Section 2 Championship

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

COLONIE — Seventeen athletes from Saratoga Springs earned victories at the 2023 Section 2 Group 1 Championships at Colonie High School on May 24.

The Saratoga girls squad placed second as a team (146 points), trailing only Guilderland (183 points). The Saratoga boys team placed second, finishing with 135 points. The Shenendehowa boys squad was first with 141 points as a team.

The Ballston Spa girls squad placed seventh as a team, totaling 30 points, while the Scotties’ boys team placed 11th with a total of 10 points.

Saratoga’s Sheridan Wheeler won both the 400-meter hurdles and the 2,000-meter steeplechase, while McKinley Wheeler earned wins in the 3,000-meter run and as part of the Blue Streaks’ 4×800 relay team. The relay squad also included Anya Belisle, Heidi Berglund, and Alycia Hart.

Emily Bush won the 1,500-meter run, while Amelia McBain won the pole vault. On the boys’ side, Saratoga’s Joao Dos Anjos Neto also took home first place in the pole vault, and Evan Rando placed first in the pentathlon.

The Blue Streaks’ 4 x 400 relay squad of Charles Dybala, Andrew Hope, Aidan Slavett, and Connor Varian placed first, while the 4 x 800 relay team of Thomas Isenovski, Hope, Luke Dacey, and Owen Blaisdell also came away with a victory. 

See below for top finishers from both schools:

Saratoga Girls (2nd place, 146 points)

Sheridan Wheeler won both the 400-meter hurdles (1:04.57) and the 2,000-meter steeplechase (6:38.05), finishing second in the 3,000-meter run (10:00.67). McKinley Wheeler took first place in the 3,000-meter run (10:00.30), second in the 1,500-meter run (4:33.33), and fourth in the 800-meter run (2:15.98). 

Emily Bush won the 1,500-meter run (4:32.34), also placing third in both the 800-meter run (2:14.72) and the 3,000-meter run (10:03.19). The team of Anya Belisle, Heidi Berglund, Alycia Hart, and McKinley Wheeler won the 4 x 800 relay (9:27.43). In the 4 x 400 relay, the team of Bush, Hart, Sheridan Wheeler, and Elena Evans finished second (4:06.35).

Amelia McBain won the pole vault (10’ 0”), placing seventh in the long jump (16’ 0.5”) and eighth in the triple jump (33’ 7.5”). Genevieve Duchaussee took second place in the 100-meter hurdles (15.64), high jump (5’ 0”), and shot put (35’ 4.25”), finishing sixth in the 400-meter hurdles (1:10.16). 

Annabelle Schuck placed second in the long jump (17’ 2.5”), and sixth in the triple jump (34’ 1.75”). Sloane Mulcahy took fourth in the high jump (4’ 8”), while Belisle finished fourth in the 1,500-meter run (4:46.45). 

Hart placed fifth in the 400-meter dash (1:00.63), while Natalie Wilding finished fifth in the 2,000-meter steeplechase (7:53.90), and Claire Braxton took seventh place in pole vault (7’ 0”).

Saratoga Boys (2nd place, 135 points)

The team of Charles Dybala, Andrew Hope, Aidan Slavett, and Connor Varian won the 4 x 400 relay (3:26.00), while the team of Thomas Isenovski, Hope, Luke Dacey, and Owen Blaisdell won the 4 x 800 relay (8:15.46). Joao Dos Anjos Neto, Tucker Zeh, Nick Baldwin, and Ethan Straughter placed second in the 4 x 100 relay (44.03).

Dos Anjos Neto won the pole vault (14’ 0”), and took second in the long jump (21’ 5.25”), while Evan Rando took first place in the pentathlon (2,612). Straughter finished second in the 200-meter dash (22.64), third in the 100-meter dash (11.22), and seventh in the long jump (20’ 0.75”).

Slavett placed second in the 400-meter dash (51.00), while Blaisdell was third in the 800-meter run (2:01.16). Jacob Bernd finished fourth in both the 800-meter run (2:01.20) and the 1,600-meter run (4:26.36), while Mason Talarico took third in the 1,600-meter (4:23.61) and ninth in the 3,200-meter run (9:44.37).

Caleb Yuhasz took second in the 3000-meter steeplechase (9:51.89), with Hudson Shaw in third (10:21.00) and Leydon Hemsworth in eighth (10:36.47). Dybala finished third in the 400-meter hurdles (57.10), while Evan Griffiths placed fifth (59.96).

Billy Thobae finished fourth in the shot put (41’ 4.75”), while Varian placed fifth in the 400-meter dash (51.66). Cooper Brandriss finished sixth in the 3,200-meter run (9:38.08), with Darren Pasek in eighth (9:43.76).

Jayden Cox took seventh in the discus (109’ 7”), while Owen Dagostino finished ninth in the high jump (5’ 6”). Michael Briscoe was ninth in the pole vault (10’ 6”).

Ballston Spa Girls (7th place, 30 points)

Harriet Healey took second place in the 400-meter dash (57.82) and fourth in the 400-meter hurdles (1:08.33). 

The team of Healey, Petrina Zborovsky, Tatiana McCray, and Gabrielle Bozeth finished fourth in the 4 x 100 relay (50.79). Bozeth, Candace Warlikowski, Zborovsky, and Healey combined to place fifth in the 4 x 400 relay (4:18.82). 

Zborovsky finished fourth in the 100-meter dash (12.61) and 10th in the 200-meter dash (26.74). Bozeth placed fifth in the 200-meter dash (26.06) and eighth in the 100-meter (12.77), while Emily Hye finished seventh in the 2000-meter steeplechase (8:19.32).

Ballston Spa Boys (11th place, 10 points)

Brandon Russell placed second in the discus (126’ 3”) and eighth in the shot put (39’ 5.5”). Isaiah Hannah took sixth in the 110-meter hurdles (15.60), while Joseph Fodera finished sixth in the 1600-meter run (4:43.32). Devin Hemraj placed seventh in the 400-meter hurdles (1:02.44), and eighth in the 110-meter hurdles (15.77).

The team of Jacob Armer, Silas Bashant, Michael Miller, and Matthew Meerdink finished seventh in the 4 x 800 relay (8:53.63). Emmett Hansen finished seventh in the pole vault (11’ 6”), while Kala’i Leahey-Makanani took eighth in the 200-meter dash (23.12).

JMJC Shines at Judo Nationals

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Ari Berliner (Blue Uniform) throws Lenny Sheynfeld in the 66kg final to win his third straight National title. Photo by Roy Nanjo.

SPOKANE, Wa — Athletes from the Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) in Glenville performed extremely well at the US Sr. Nationals held in The Podium Arena in Spokane, Washington, on May 20, taking home a total of eight medals, including six gold medals.

Ari Berliner captured his third straight 66kg National Title in dominating fashion, going 5-0 on the day. Nicole Stout also won her third straight 78kg National crown, going 4-0 for the day. Nate Keeve was the third JMJC athlete to win a third National title, as he also won 100kg in 2019 and 2018. Keeve was 4-0 for the event. 

Melissa Myers won her second 70kg National Championship, going 4-0 on the day. Myers also won gold in 2021. Defending 81kg National Champ, Kell Berliner, picked up a silver medal, losing only in the final. 

Vito Picozzo won a gold in the 90kg Veterans division and Jen Williams also won a Veterans gold, winning the 70kg. Iain Berliner won a silver medal in the 66kg under-21 weight class, then went 2-2 taking ninth place at 66kg. Ramon Hernandez went 3-2 at 81kg, taking 7th, and Max Alaynick was 2-2, also at 81kg, to take ninth place, closing out the JMJC athletes participation at this year’s Nationals. 

The JMJC now has won a remarkable 149 total medals including 49 gold medals at the US Sr. Nationals. Ari Berliner and Nate Keeve also represent the New York Athletic Club.

Schuylerville Boys Lacrosse Wins Section 2 Class D Title

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Photo provided by Schuylerville Central School District.

LATHAM — The Schuylerville varsity boys lacrosse team captured the 2023 Section 2 Class D Championship on Friday, using a big third quarter to pull away from Stillwater/Mechanicville in an eventual 13-7 victory.

It is the second straight Section 2 Class D crown for the Black Horses, who beat Stillwater/Mechanicville 18-8 in last year’s title game. 

Sophomore Ollie Bolduc led Schuylerville with five goals and an assist, while Corbin Clements had four goals and three assists. John McGarrahan had a goal and two assists, and Landen Cumm added three assists.

Otto Bolduc had two assists, while Martin Flanders, Jr., Josh Bowen, and Logan Methven each added goals for the Black Horses.

Ollie Bolduc opened the scoring with 8:14 left in the opening quarter, giving the Black Horses a 1-0 lead. Flanders, Jr. followed with a goal just nine seconds later, winning the draw at midfield before taking it himself for a 2-0 lead.

Stillwater/Mechanicville responded with a goal by Michael Marinello, but Bolduc scored his second goal shortly after to give Schuylerville a 3-1 lead after
one quarter.

Clements scored to extend the lead to 4-1 with 6:30 until halftime. The Red Warriors’ Anthony Cocozzo cut the lead to 4-2 with 1:55 left in the half, but the Black Horses again responded, with another goal by Clements sending Schuylerville into the break with a 5-2 lead.

The Black Horses blew the game open in the third quarter, outscoring Stillwater/Mechanicville 6-1 in the frame. Bowen extended the lead to 6-2 before Bolduc’s third goal of the game made it 7-2. McGarrahan followed with a goal of his own, extending the lead to 8-2.

Marinello was able to stop the run with 5:06 left in the third, cutting Schuylerville’s lead to 8-3, but the Black Horses answered with a pair of goals by Clements, and another by Bolduc, to take an 11-3 lead into the fourth.

Marinello’s third goal made it 11-4 with 9:44 remaining, but Schuylerville responded, with goals by Methven and Bolduc extending the lead to 13-4 with 7 minutes left. 

Andrew Sgambati, Cocozzo, and Colby Paffen scored goals in the final minutes for Stillwater/Mechanicville, before Schuylerville sealed a 13-7 win and a second straight Section 2 Championship.

Schuylerville earned a 15-4 victory over James I. O’Neill High School (Section 9) in the NYSPHSAA Class D Sub-Regionals on Wednesday, and will play Pleasantville (Sec. 1) in the Regional Finals on June 3 at 5:30 p.m.

Section 2 Champions – Saratoga Girls’ Lacrosse Wins Section 2 Class A Title

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

Photo provided by Jennifer Furze. 

SCHUYLERVILLE —Carly Wise opened the scoring just seconds into the game, and the Saratoga Springs varsity girls’ lacrosse team never looked back en route to a 8-5 victory over Shaker in the Section 2 Class A Championship on Wednesday.

Wise scored three goals to lead the Blue Streaks, with Faith Britton scoring twice. Allie Shamberger had a goal and two assists, with Janie Baringer adding a goal and an assist. Emery Judge also scored a goal for Saratoga, while goaltender Jenna Amodio made 10 saves.

Shaker hung with Saratoga early on, tying the game at 2-2 with 16:41 left in the first half on a goal by Ava Scattareggia, but back-to-back Blue Streak goals by Britton gave Saratoga a 4-2 lead entering halftime.

Wise scored early in the second half to extend the lead to 5-2 before Emery Judge quickly followed with a goal of her own, giving Saratoga a 6-2 advantage.

Shaker was able to get within two goals, with tallies by Sarah Bette and Kacie Pilla cutting the lead to 6-4 with 14 minutes left, but the Blue Streaks held strong defensively before pulling away in the final minutes.

Wise scored her third goal with 6:11 left to extend the lead to 7-4, and Shamberger followed with a goal to make it 8-4 with four minutes remaining. Lauren O’Hagan scored for Shaker with 1:03 left, but the Bison were unable to mount a rally further, with Saratoga sealing an 8-5 victory.

It is the first Section 2 title for Blue Streaks’ head coach Jennifer Furze, in her first season leading the varsity team, and the first for the Saratoga girls’ team since 2018.

Saratoga (14-5) will play the Section 1 Class A Champion in the NYSPHSAA Sub-Regionals at 7:30 p.m. on May 30 at Schuylerville High School.

A safe space to laugh, play and connect: SRYMCA Kicks-Off Intergenerational Wellness Capital Campaign

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Photos provided by Saratoga Regional YMCA.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Regional YMCA (SRYMCA) launched the public phase of their Capital Campaign on Friday, May 5, at their Saratoga Springs branch located on West Avenue. YMCA staff, members, major donors, volunteers and community partners gathered for a morning kick-off celebration, followed by a tour of the project’s construction site.

This project officially broke ground last June, and attendees of Friday’s public kickoff event were able to tour the construction site to envision a renewed, vibrant and connected intergenerational wellness hub. The Y’s expanded facilities will include a new Wellness Center, housing several spaces for weight training, group exercise classes, athletic training and chronic disease prevention programming. 

A new Gymnasium will help accommodate the growing demand for pickleball leagues, summer day camp, youth sports and before and after school programming. The new space will also include a new Youth Adventure Center; an indoor play space with a Saratoga/horse racing theme. Parents may use this space for supervised play for children 6 weeks to 10 years, enabling more families to take advantage of the Y.

The idea to expand its services through a capital campaign developed last year when the Saratoga Regional Y and the Saratoga Senior Center partnered up for the project’s first phase. 

The Senior Center, in need of a larger space to provide for its ever-growing senior population, will move onto the Saratoga Springs YMCA’s West Avenue campus into a new 14,500 square-foot home. The campus’ new Shared Intergenerational Lobby will connect the Y and the Senior Center, creating a central meeting space for active older adults to easily access the valuable resources that both nonprofits offer.

To begin development on this capital project, a generous lead gift of $3M was donated last year by Bill and Susan Dake and Stewart’s Shops. The Charles R. Wood Foundation has also challenged the community and made a matching grant of $300,000 to support this endeavor. This grant’s purpose is to encourage local community members to join their support of this capital project and uplift the YMCA’s mission to be a community space for all ages to build healthy minds, bodies and spirits.

These private dollars have made a significant impact on the campaign; to date, the Saratoga Regional Y has raised 76% towards its $8.9M goal. Now, the Y is asking its community for support, and to consider donating towards the remaining $2M. Gifts of any amount make an impact and will help ensure that the YMCA will have the space and resources to answer the needs of the Saratoga and surrounding community for another 150 years.

To be a part of the Y’s transformation, please contact Scott Clark, CEO, at 518-583-9622, ext. 106 or at scott.clark@srymca.org, or visit srymca.org/main/capital-campaign to learn more.

Cantina Kids Fun Run Returns to Congress Park June 4 – Early-bird registration underway for family event that supports children’s health care at Saratoga Hospital

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

Last year’s Cantina Kids Fun Run, 2022. Photo by Rob Spring Photography.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Families will return to Congress Park June 4 for the annual Cantina Kids Fun Run to support children’s health care at Saratoga Hospital.

The Fun Run made its debut in 2008 and has become a family favorite, attracting hundreds of children and parents, rain or shine. Together, they’ve raised over $756,000 to help provide equipment, education and other services that enhance pediatric care at Saratoga Hospital.

The Fun Run was the brainchild of Cantina restaurant owners Jeff and Heath Ames, who teamed up with Saratoga Hospital Foundation to give back in appreciation for the lifesaving care their daughter has received at the hospital. The event brings families and organizations together for a healthy outdoor activity, and a worthy cause. This year’s presenting sponsor is New Country Motor Car Group.

The race starts at 9 a.m. Early-bird registration is $15 through May 18. Pre-registration, for $20, will continue through May 31. Race-day registration is $25. 

Event details:

June 4 at 9 a.m. in Congress Park, near the Carousel.

• Run as a family: Strollers are welcome.

• Pre-registration: Online now through May 31 at 12 p.m. Pre-registered runners can pick up race packets in advance on June 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Congress Park, near the Carousel.

• Race-day registration: June 4, 8-8:30 a.m. in Congress Park, near the Carousel.

• Two courses: Quarter mile recommended for kids seven and under or one mile recommended for kids 8-12.

• Medals: For all runners up to age 12. Trophies to the top three boys and girls on each course. “Healthiest School” award to the school with the highest participation.

For more information, go to www.cantinakidsfunrun.org or call 518-583-8663.