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A Spectacular Fall Tradition 

Our area’s premiere new home tour, the 2018 Saratoga Showcase of Homes opens this weekend. Tickets are available at Adirondack Trust, Catskill Hudson Bank, Saratoga National Bank and Trustco Bank locations; Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa and Queensbury; Roohan Realty, Rebuilding Together Saratoga Store and The Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Tickets are always conveniently available at any showcase home during tour hours of 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. or can also be purchased online at www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. Once again this year, each showcase ticket holder will receive a free shoe/tote bag at the first home visited!

The 2018 Saratoga Showcase of Homes is proudly presented over three weekends beginning September 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30. Tickets are still only $20, which allows you to visit all of these beautiful new homes over six days. This year’s edition has 13 locations from 12 of our area’s finest builders on display in Saratoga County. 

This year's participating award-winning builders are: Bella Home Builders, Belmonte Builders, Blitman Development, Bonacio Construction, Caruso Home Builders, Heritage Custom Builders, Kodiak Construction, La Femme Home Builders, Malta Development, The Earth Source Company, The Form Collaborative and Witt Construction. To view an interactive mobile map with locations, directions and much more, please visit our website.

Celebrating its 23rd year, this annual event has contributed over $1.1 million dollars to our local charities. Proceeds from the Showcase of Homes will benefit Rebuilding Together Saratoga County (www.rebuildingtogethersaratoga.org) and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties (www.glensfallshabitat.org). For more details on the event, please visit www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com. Check us out on Facebook and follow all the updates on this year’s event!

About Saratoga Builders Association

The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. (SBA) is a specialized professional trade association representing an industry basic to the wellbeing and economy of the people of Saratoga County. Its membership includes residential and commercial builders, developers, remodelers, building material suppliers, sub-contractors, financial institutions, architects, engineers, realtors, attorneys and other industry professionals. SBA is committed to the continued growth, prosperity and quality of life in Saratoga County. For more information, please visit their new website at saratogabuilders.org or contact Barry Potoker, Executive Director at 518-366-0946 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SARATOGA SPRINGS - New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon visited the Spa City Sunday afternoon in advance of primary day, which this year will take place Thursday, Sept. 13.  

Nixon announced her campaign for Governor of New York in March, challenging Democratic incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“I’m running for governor because I believe we can have a New York that works for all of us,” Nixon told a group of about 125 people at Saratoga Arts on Sunday. She spoke for approximately 20 minutes.

“I voted for Andrew Cuomo eight years ago, because I remembered his dad and because I believed he was a Democrat the way he said he was, but since taking office he has governed like he was a Republican,” Nixon told the crowd. She suggested Cuomo allowed Republicans to draw their own districting maps and “hand(ed) over to the Republican Party of New York the ability to block almost every progressive piece of legislation we have had in this state,” campaign finance reform, the N.Y. Dream Act and fully funded schools being among them. 

Nixon, perhaps best known for her portrayal of Miranda Hobbes in the HBO series “Sex and the City,” is running on a platform includes ensuring more affordable housing  - all new housing projects to include a percentage of affordable units; proactively responding to climate change - setting the state on a track to achieve 100 percent renewal energy within 30 years - tending to immigration issues – including abolishing ICE, passing the Dream Act and seeking to make New York a Sanctuary state), as well as advocating for LGBT rights and legalizing, taxing and regulating the recreational use of marijuana.

State primaries will be held noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13. The traditional voting day would have been Tuesday Sept. 11. Due to conflicts with the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah and the anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks, the primary was changed to take place two days later.

In a primary election, only voters registered with a party may vote to nominate their party's candidate.

Registered Democrats in Saratoga County may choose one candidate for the following offices: Cynthia Nixon or Andrew Cuomo for Governor; Kathy Hochul or Jumaane Williams for Lt. Governor; Sean Maloney, or Letitia James or Leecia Eve or Zephyr Teachout for Attorney General.  There are just under 41,000 registered Democrats in Saratoga County, according to the most recent report posted by the state Board of Elections.

Registered Republicans in Saratoga County may choose: Karen Heggen or Gerard Amedio for the District Attorney. There are just under 60,000 registered Republicans in Saratoga County.

In the 43^rd and 49^th Senate District, each of which run through different areas of Saratoga Springs, the Reform Party primary lists Nancy Sliwa or Mike Diederich of Christopher Garvey for Attorney General in each district, as well as James Tedisco unopposed for State Senator in the 49^th District. The town of Ballston Conservative Party primary lists Keith Kissinger or John Fantauzzi for Town Justice.

Polling places may be found at the Saratoga County Board of Election website.  Note, the Saratoga Springs City Center polling place for districts 3,4,8,9 and 25 in the city has been relocated from the City Center to the adjacent Hilton, ballrooms 1 and 2. The General Election takes place Nov. 6.

JUBILANT OWNER BOB LAPENTA PROCLAIMED “take me to church” after his newly minted star, the athletic Catholic Boy, took the rest of the Travers field to school with his dominant 4-length victory in the 149th running of the Midsummer Derby!

Mendelssohn surprisingly held on for 2nd, following two dismal performances on the dirt in the Kentucky Derby and the Grade 3 Dwyer at Belmont, while Wayne Lukas’ Bravazo was 3rd.

On a picture perfect postcard day in front of a packed house of 49K+, the versatile 3-year-old ridgling son of More Than Ready, out of the Bernardini mare Song of Bernadette, earned a 104 Beyer, and gave Hall of Fame jockey Javi Castellano his record 6th Travers victory, while giving young trainer Jonathan Thomas his second Grade 1, this time on dirt, following Catholic Boy’s Belmont Derby Grade 1 victory on turf.

Javi won his first Travers aboard Bernardini for Tommy Albertrani in 2006, and his second on Afleet Express in 2010 for Jimmy Jerkens. The following year he rode Stay Thirsty to victory for Todd Pletcher. In 2014 he won the Midsummer Derby once again for Jimmy Jerkens with V.E. Day, and back-to-back in 2015 with the memorable upset of Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, aboard Keen Ice for Dale Romans and Jerry Crawford of Donegal Racing.

Born and raised on Paul Mellon’s iconic Rokeby Farm in Virginia, Jonathan Thomas spent his early days entrenched in his parents’ lifestyle as career horsemen. The experience he gained has proven to be invaluable, as was his time as a steeplechase jockey.

Although his jump career was shortlived, he was fortunate to ride for leading jump trainer Jack Fisher, and had a couple big graded stakes victories with him, before he suffered a career-ending injury. 

Thomas broke his back and had temporary paralysis following a scary accident, and it took him an entire year of intense therapy and “a lot of luck” to regain his mobility, and I’m sure this harrowing experience has also strengthened the 38-year-old trainer’s resolve.

Upon his return, Thomas was given the chance to be Fisher’s assistant at Saratoga, and at the end of the meet, Christophe Clement asked him to join his staff. He stayed with Christophe for almost 5 years before moving on to work briefly for Dale Romans, and also spent 2007 in Saudi Arabia working for King Abdullah. And then he received the career-changing call!

Todd Pletcher was obviously impressed with the resume Jonathan was building, and when the multiple Eclipse Award-winning leading trainer in North America offered him a job, Jonathan’s career began to skyrocket.

Under Todd’s tutelage, Jonathan would further hone his talents as a horseman and conditioner, working with the likes of Uncle Mo, Super Saver and Eskendereya. After 6 years of learning from one of the best in the business, Jonathan would then spend time with Todd’s Dad J.J. at his Ocala farm to learn more about breaking horses and the sales side of the industry.

In 2013 Jonathan, who calls the late, great John Nerud his earliest hero, was offered an opportunity of a lifetime when Bridlewood Farm, also in Ocala, asked him to lead their Training Division, and it is here that he was united with Bob LaPenta, and subsequently, Catholic Boy.

LaPenta, the 73-year-old Westport, CT native, had faith in the young trainer, so when Jonathan called Bob and requested that he purchase a particular horse at the 2016 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, Bob obliged. The horse that Jonathan wanted Bob to purchase had been with him since he was a weanling at Bridlewood, and would go on to be named Catholic Boy after Bob purchased him as a $170K RNA. And as they say, the rest is history!

The Midsummer Derby has always been a dream of Bob LaPenta’s, as he’s been coming to the Spa for 55 years, and this purchase made his dream become reality. Bob battled a potentially deadly case of Legionnaire’s disease earlier this year, which made this Grade 1 victory even sweeter, as I know he feels truly blessed.

A year after Thomas earned his first graded stakes win with Catholic Boy, in the Grade 3 With Anticipation on the turf at Saratoga, he now has a unique dilemma, and has a decision to make as to where to place his star pupil next. He increased his residual value as a sire exponentially following his Grade 1 victory in the Travers on the dirt, and it is now estimated he could be worth about $20 million because of his rare turf to dirt talent.

Although Thomas has not ruled out the Jockey Club Gold Cup, it appears that the Hill Prince on the turf at Big Sandy is the more likely option. The conditioner prefers the “kinder surface” as a prep for the Breeder’s Cup Classic on the dirt at a mile and a 1/4 at Churchill Downs, and Catholic Boy has certainly proven he is able to make the switch as effortlessly as he makes lead changes.

Thomas also isn’t thrilled at the prospect of meeting the 5-year-old Whitney winner Diversify on his home track in the JCGC, or of facing older horses at a mile and a 1/2 in the Breeder’s Cup Turf, but is confident that the BC Classic at a mile and a 1/4 on the dirt “hits him between the eyeballs.”

Catholic Boy, who has now earned more than $1.8 million, will remain in training at Saratoga until the end of September, and will then head down to Belmont. Thomas has also stated that there’s a possibility he may just train up to the BC, and skip a prep.

In the cruelest of sports, with all of its ups and downs, Saturday’s card, and in particular the Travers, had to be a crushing blow for leading trainer Chad Brown.

In spite of sending out 12 horses this day, including Travers favorites Good Magic and Gronkowski, Chad was only able to manage a victory in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa with Quidura, and was shut out in the five out of six Grade 1s he was entered in.

Gronk was rank after the start, and Good Magic didn’t break well, and it was all downhill from there, as Chad’s two favorites ended up 8th and 9th out of 10 horses, and were only able to beat the filly. Wonder Gadot ran well early on, sitting in 3rd place behind leaders Mendelssohn and Catholic Boy, but tired and faded to last in the late going, at the very same time Catholic Boy was gearing up.

Although it’s no immediate consolation for Chad, following his disappointment in the Travers, the not yet 40-year-old certainly will have many more opportunities in the future, and can take solace in the fact that he has 34 wins in the meet, doubling 2nd place Todd Pletcher’s 17.

Steve Asmussen sits in 3rd with 13, while Bill Mott follows with 12, and Rudy Rodriguez has 11 and Big Miah Englehart has10.

The eagerly anticipated rematch between Bob Baffert’s Abel Tasman and Bill Mott’s Elate in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares 3 years old and up, at a mile and an 1/8, lived up to its billing and all the hype, and was as eerily contentious as last year’s controversial Coaching Club American Oaks.

While it remains doubtful that the stewards will ever take down Hall of Famers Mike Smith or Bob Baffert, it was evidently very clear to fellow Hall of Famer Bill Mott, and to a young Jose Ortiz, the reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey, that they were once again not given a fair shake.

They were both visibly upset and very frustrated with the ruling that left Abel Tasman and Mike Smith up, following the inquiry, and they were not alone!

I have never in all my years heard such raucous booing as that which rang down from the normally genteel crowd in the Clubhouse boxes, when Mike Smith entered the Winner’s Circle. It was an extremely awkward moment that did not end there! 

I followed Mikey, who is generally a beloved figure, as he ran through the Clubhouse under guard, and all the way out to the Jock’s Room in the backyard, and the vociferous booing continued the entire way! It’s obvious that either it was a very partisan crowd, biased in favor of NY-based Jose Ortiz and Bill Mott, or else they had really strong feelings about the stewards’ decision.

To add insult to injury was the fact that it was an identical scenario and outcome for Mott and Ortiz as last year’s CCAO, and I can only imagine the intensity of this rivalry going forward, and in the BC Distaff!

It didn’t take long for Mikey and Bob to quiet the crowd, however, as they came right back out in the next race, the Grade 1 Ballerina for fillies and mares 3 years old and up, a 7 furlong sprint, with Marley’s Freedom, to go 2-2 on the day. The 4-year-old daughter of Blame easily dispatched the tough field, winning by 3-1/4 lengths, and is headed to the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

It was a Dale Romans exacta in the 7 furlong Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens for 3-year-olds, when Promises Fulfilled, the son of previous Romans trainee, Shackleford, completed an Amsterdam-Jerkens double for owner and local businessman Bob Baron, with his 1-1/4 length victory under Luis Saez. His stablemate, West Point’s Seven Trumpets, beat a late charging Firenze Fire, while Engage was 4th.

It’s been a wonderful meet for the always affable Saez, and it’s nice to see him in 5th place in the Jockey Standings with 26 wins, behind leader Irad Ortiz with 45, Jose Ortiz and Javi Castellano now tied with 33, and Manny Franco with 31.

In the other Grade 1 Sprint on the card, the Forego for 3 year olds and up, Bob LaPenta, once again along with Sol Kumin, picked up his second Grade 1 on the day, when he and trainer Ron Moquett’s 5-year-old gelding Whitmore avenged his neck loss to Limousine Liberal in the Grade 2 Belmont Sprint on July 7th, while earning his first Grade 1 victory.

Whitmore, with Ricardo Santana aboard, beat the favorite, City of Light, the flashy Cali-based shipper for Michael McCarthy, under Irad Ortiz, by 1-1/2 lengths, while Limousine Liberal was nosed out in 3rd.

City of Light was bet down to 4-5 based on his set of Grade 1 wins at Santa Anita, and his more recent victory over leading older horse, Accelerate, in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap in April, which made Whitmore’s victory even more impressive!

In the $1-Million Grade 1 Sword Dancer, run over the inner turf course at 1-1/2 miles for 3 year olds and up, Chuck Lawrence’s 7-year-old gelding Glorious Empire wired the field, and made sure he didn’t have to share the victory with anyone else, as he did in the Grade 2 Bowling Green, when he and Channel Maker were in a dead heat.

Lawrence, who just like Jonathan Thomas is a former steeplechase jockey, actually went to the same High School as Jonathan, too, and now they share one more thing in common, as they both won Grade 1s on Saturday, Lawrence’s very first, and Thomas’ second!

It was also the very first Grade 1 for relative newcomer, owner Matt Schera, who actually claimed Glorious Empire for just $62,500 in May of 2017, and it has to be a real thrill to see his notoriously problematic Irish-bred gelding win a million dollar race!

On Friday’s New York Showcase Day, it was so heartwarming to see veteran 9-year-old gelding Kharafa get his first victory in seven tries at the Spa in the West Point. They just don’t make them like this anymore, and his indomitable spirit was a sight to see, with Dylan Davis aboard.

It’s hard to believe that the final week is here, and I’m trying hard not to get too melancholy, as I think about this weekend’s stakes races, but the pang in my heart is inevitable. 

I am thankful that I’ll get to see the marvelous Voodoo Song run one more time in the Bernard Baruch, where he’ll be challenged by Inspector Lynley, and I’m looking forward to seeing Antonio Sano’s Gunnevera return for the third straight summer to run in the Woodward, after winning the Saratoga Special in 2016, and coming in 2nd behind West Coast in last year’s Travers.

Other probables for the Woodward include Dallas Stewart’s Seeking the Soul, the trio of Dalmore, Imperative and Uno Mas Modelo for Anthony Quartarolo, and a trio for Todd Pletcher in Patch, Rally Cry and Tapwrit. Other possibles could also be Realm, Discreet Lover, Kurilov, Sunny Ridge and Term of Art, in what is expected to be a crowded field.

With three Grade 1s this weekend in the Woodward, the Spinaway and the Hopeful, and with a trio of Grade 2s in the Bernard Baruch,  the Prioress and the Glens Falls, plus the Grade 3 Saranac, there will still be plenty of great racing, and I hope everyone will join me there to bid farewell to another amazing meet!

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Kellyanne Conway spoke about the opioid crisis. Corey Price discussed immigration and customs enforcement policies. The balance of the near four-hour gathering in the shadow of the White House touched on everything from agriculture and cleaning up radioactive materials to issues faced by military families.

“It was an interesting mix,” says Tara Gaston, one of two Saratoga County supervisors representing Saratoga Springs. Last week, Gaston joined approximately 100 other officials from New York State and New Jersey in Washington D.C. at the invitation of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House, who are charged with the responsibility of building relationships with state, county, local, and tribal officials. 

Gaston visited the White House then assembled with her colleagues in Room 430 of the Eisenhower Executive Office building - located next to the West Wing – where the group spent the better part of four hours listening to, and in some cases discussing, issues that affect New York and New Jersey residents with a variety of White House departmental officials.

“They would come in and spend about 20 minutes each with us. Most of them gave a rundown of their policies. Not all of them took questions,” Gaston says.  White House counselor Kellyanne Conway talked about the opioid crisis.

“She expressed a lot of concern about neonatal abstinence syndrome” – conditions that occur when a baby withdraws from drugs they were exposed to in the womb –  “and about the opioid crisis, but she didn’t take any questions,” Gaston says. 

“One of my concerns about that it is that we often deal with opioid addiction in terms of a legal issue - resulting in jail time and taking away children - as opposed to a public health issue. So, she didn’t speak about it as a public health issue as much as I would have liked,” Gaston says.

Opioid overdoses accounted for more than 42,000 deaths in 2016, more than any previous year on record. An estimated 40 percent of opioid overdose deaths involved a prescription opioid, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Another thing that was interesting is how Human Services have been pushing HIPAA exemptions to allow family members to know if another family member OD’d. I assume the purpose behind that is to know whether you need to have Narcan in your house, to encourage interventions and the like. But, it’s always a little concerning when you’re talking about HIPAA exemptions for adults. I understand why, but it’s a fine line between how you deal with the crisis and also how are we going to protect people’s privacy,” Gaston explained.

Corey Price, assistant director for enforcement at ICE talked about the president’s priorities. “One of those priorities is building more agreements with local law enforcement to issue detainers to hold individuals in custody on immigration issues, so they’re held until ICE interviews them and decides whether to take them into custody or not,” Gaston says. She explains: “Let’s say someone gets a DWI. Local law enforcement can release that individual or alternately contact ICE if there’s an immigration issue and ICE will issue a detainer and come and interview them and decide whether – instead of being released – they’re taken in to Federal Immigration custody. It’s a cooperation agreement between ICE and local law enforcement.

“One of my priorities was trying to communicate, just the uncertainty of the process. The policies keep changing and the administration throws out ideas – maybe they’ll follow them and maybe they won’t – but that leaves a lot of individuals in Saratoga Springs and in Saratoga County confused and frightened,” Gaston says.  

Another big regional issue, particularly for those representing the rural areas of their respective states is agriculture in general, and dairy issues, and the ability via H-2A visas to get workers to their farms, specifically. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers or U.S. agents who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs. “The Farm Bill, assuming it ever comes out of Congress, will also be a big one that affects our county and how it runs,” Gaston says. The current food and farm bill is set to expire Sept. 30.

“I asked a gentleman from the Domestic Policy Council about veteran families and military families. As a representative of an area with a military population with a lot of veterans as well as being the spouse of a disabled veteran myself, that’s something that concerns me a lot,” Gaston says. “Saratoga County does a lot of work for veterans, but a concern is essentially sustaining our outreach. If we can get funding to help expand the program we already have it would do a lot of good.

“Overall, there was a lot of information packed in there. I would like to see it more in a workshop format with more give-and-take, but the impression we were given is this won’t be the last one of these meetings, Gaston says, adding that there are many issues which have local ramifications, from immigration to law enforcement, to ensuring businesses come to Saratoga County and build into the community.   “Some of these things being worked on with trade are really going to have an impact on what we can do as a county,” Gaston says.

“My job is to represent Saratoga County and that means putting our name and a face in front of all the people who can impact us,” the supervisor says. “I have a lot of political differences with the administration, but I do appreciate them reaching out to get (our) point of view. Now it’s a matter of what do they do with it."

SARATOGA SPRINGS – City employees were forced to set up temporary offices across the Spa City this week in the aftermath of a fire and water damage which forced the closure of City Hall. 

The 19th century building, which opened in 1871, was struck by lightning Aug. 17, resulting in fire and water related damage to the structure. No re-opening date has been set.

“It’s indefinite. Right now, we’re on a 30-day plan,” city Mayor Meg Kelly said this week. “That means our first estimate in our emergency management plan, is we’re out for 30 days. If people can get back in in 10-15 days they go, but there are a lot of departments that will be delayed.”

Most city employees were relocated to the southside city recreation facility on Vanderbilt Avenue. Public Works employees set up shop at Van Rensselaer avenue and city police, who are located in an unaffected City Hall annex, maintain their department offices on Lake Avenue.  Saratoga City Court sessions are being held at 65 South Broadway, in the Lincoln bath building house and this week’s council meeting was staged at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Broadway.

The Vanderbilt Avenue recreation facility – which had been bonded for $6.5 million - became a hot political topic in 2009, with a local community group filing a lawsuit against the facility being developed on the south side. Scott Johnson, who was eventually re-elected for a second mayoral term, pushed for the facility to be developed.  Accounts Commissioner John Franck, who held the same position on the council at the time, also was in favor of the project. The building opened in 2010.

There had been some previous debate about potentially turning the Saratoga Music Hall – located on the top floor of the City Hall building - into a new, expanded court room. It is unclear if any changes will be made however.

“There’s no plan right now,” Mayor Kelly said. “Right now we’re in the recovery stage, so we are not making any plans for the building at this time.”

Financial Report for 2017

The city released a 66-page financial report regarding an independent audit conducted through Dec. 31, 2017 by BST & Co. of Albany. Among the details cited:  Sales Tax and Hotel Room Occupancy Tax each decreased by 1 percent compared to 2016, VLT Aid remained at $2.326 million in 2017 - the same as the previous three years, and Mortgage Tax receipts increased in 2017 to $1.693 million, 15 percent higher than 2016. A full copy of the report may be downloaded here.  

IN A SUMMER FRAUGHT WITH WEATHER ANXIETY, it was literally a breath of fresh air to see the sun come out and to feel a cool breeze just in time for the fillies to parade in front of the huge crowd for the 138th running of the iconic Grade 1 Alabama for 3-year-olds. 

An improbable winner would emerge in Eskimo Kisses, sent off at 9-1, when she snuck up on the rail, coming from last to first, to dominate the field with a 6-1/2 length victory.

The table was set by a generous Talk Veuve

To Me, who went out to a quick :22.52 quarter and :46.79 half, handing Kisses a free pass to dessert, as the big chesnut closer relished the perfect scenario she was given by the streaking pacesetter and gobbled it up like manna from heaven.

Spotting Veuve 15-1/2 lengths early on, Kisses would give dirt-splattered jockey Jose Ortiz his second straight Alabama, after last year’s victory aboard Bill Mott’s Elate.

Following trainer Kenny McPeek’s instructions to a tee, Jose sat back patiently, saving ground on the inside, and let Kisses do all the talking when she was ready. And she made it look easy, turning back Steve Asmussen’s 6-5 favorite Midnight Bisou, and Hall of Famer, Mike Smith, with the aplomb of a seasoned vet!

For Brooklyn-bred owner Harold Lerner, it seemed almost as easy as his entry into the horseracing business, when he and wife Helen, at odds of 175 million-to-one, hit the mother lode for $258 million in the Mega Millions Jackpot in Rutherford, New Jersey in 2005!

After waiting a couple of days, Helen decided to make their life-changing announcement at her alma mater, Seton Hall, and from there on gave Harold, a lifelong horseplayer from a long line of the same, her blessing to go for the gusto as a horse owner in the game he was so passionate about!

Calling Saratoga “the temple,” Harold equated his Grade 1 victory at the Spa to winning the Super Bowl, as the feeling you get having your picture taken in the Winner’s Circle here is indescribable! 

Kenny McPeek has often been classified as a “router specialist,” following his victory in the 2002 Belmont with Sarava, and his exciting dead heat win in the 2012 Travers with longshot Golden Ticket, and it appears that with Eskimo Kisses, a daughter of To Honor and Serve, he has found a filly who was bred to succeed at the classic 1-1/4 mile distance, too. 

The powerfully built Kisses, who paid $20 on a $2-win ticket, obviously had no problem with the heavier going on the track that had been soaked the night before in torrential downpours, as she recorded a 100 Beyer. 

Midnight Bisou, on the other hand, did not like the surface at the Spa one bit, per Mike Smith. She didn’t like it for the CCAO, either, even when it was dry, so this just shows you that her preference is for the hard as a rock “superhighway” she’s accustomed to in Cali, as opposed to ours. She did win the Mother Goose, however, over the deep surface at Big Sandy.

After Kisses kicked clear of Midnight Bisou, the battle was on between Bisou and her stablemate in the Asmussen barn, She’s A Julie, and Ricardo Santana, Jr. pushed Julie gamely ahead of the favorite, Bisou, to take second place.

Considering the success McPeek has had in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes, following back-to-back victories with Take Charge Lady and Edgar Prado in 2002 and 2003, it appears that he’ll next point Kisses toward this race at his home track Keeneland.

In another race for 3-year-old fillies, the Grade 2 Lake Placid, which immediately preceded the Alabama, e Five Racing and Chad Brown’s multiple graded stakes winner and Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf champion, Rushing Fall, returned to the Winner’s Circle after a 15-week layoff.

Going a mile and an 1/8 over the Mellon turf course, with the rail set at 27’, Rushing Fall and her Hall of Fame jockey Javi Castellano, were able to overtake the frontrunner, Go Noni Go, ridden by Luis Saez, from the outside on the far turn, and pulled away in the stretch, outkicking runner up Capla Temptress for the 2-3/4 lengths victory. Lake George winner Daddy is a Legend, with Manny Franco up, was third.

This was a back-to-back victory in the Lake Placid for Javi, as he won last year with Elizabeth Moseley’s homebred Proctor’s Ledge, who also pulled off the rare double, as she won the companion race, the Lake George, earlier in the meet in 2017.

Rushing Fall became a millionaire with this victory, and chances are we will see her next in either the Grade 2 Sands Point at Belmont in four weeks on September 15th, or in 8 weeks on October 13th in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland.

During last Thursday’s 4th Race the racing community collectively stood up and cheered for one of their own, when Tradeable, a 2-year-old NY-bred daughter of Exchange Rate, gave John Hertler his first win since March 13th, 2016, and his first victory at the Spa in 5 years. 

To understand why this particular victory was meaningful to so many people, is to know why John Hertler is such a respected and much-loved fixture on the New York racing scene. And it has nothing to do with the fact that he was the conditioner of 1984 Whitney, Woodward, Marlboro Cup and Jockey Club Gold Cup Winner Slew o’ Gold.

The former assistant to Hall of Fame trainer P.G. Johnson, John’s story is one of kindness and decency at its core, but in recent years, it is his amazing will and his hallmark “stick-to-it-tiveness” that have made him an inspirational figure in the face of adversity.

John will never complain or much less discuss his existing physical limitations, as all he wants is to carry on as usual with a smile, and to just show up, which he does every single day. While most of us would have decided to fade into the distance long ago, he has chosen to remain very much present, and is teaching all of us a very valuable lesson as he does.

In the finale on Monday’s card, apprentice jockey Romero Ramsay Maragh, based at Gulfstream and a cousin of Rajiv, brought home a 3-year-old NY-bred son of Overanalyze, Won’t Be Missed, for Jimmy Ferraro, as a 48-1 longshot!

Under a brilliant ride by the young bug boy in his very first mount at Saratoga, Won’t Be Missed paid $98, and gave both his rider and anyone lucky enough to bet on him a real thrill! 

This was the third start of the meet for Won’t Be Missed, who had dropped down to a $25K maiden claimer last time out, when he finished far back in 6th. He returned this time to a $40K tag and took advantage of the 7-pound weight allowance for the bug at 111 pounds. Rajiv, giving up 13 pounds at 124, came in 4th behind his young cousin.

I was so very saddened to hear of the passing of Bailey, the beloved service dog of native Saratogian and friend, John Huppuch, last Thursday. Bailey, a sweet 10-year-old beagle/ basset hound mix, was a fixture around town, and at the racetrack, and had become somewhat of a celebrity since accompanying John to the track every day and was even featured in the NYRA Team Overnighter just days before his passing.

John has been a bartender at the track for 21 years, and Bailey has been his faithful “barback” for almost half that time. In an industry filled with animal lovers, I know that everyone’s heart is breaking for John, and I hope that John will feel our love.

It’s hard to believe that Travers weekend is already upon us, with 28 days down, and just 12 remaining, as Opening Day seems like 5 minutes ago! But what an exciting Travers is unfolding in front of us, along with an entire card filled with exceptional Grade 1 races.

Bob and Kris Edwards of e Five Racing and Chad Brown’s Good Magic, the impressive Haskell winner, was made the morning line favorite at 2-1, and drew a perfect outside #9 post per Chad, which bodes well for his early speed if he breaks well. Jose Ortiz will once again be in the irons.

How incredible it would be for Kris, a 1985 Saratoga High grad, and for hubby Bob, who she met in college at Plattsburgh, if they can hold up the Man O’ War Cup in victory, just as it will be for Mechanicville’s Chad, who has repeatedly stated that this is the race he most covets!

Chad has his best chance yet to do just that, as his other entry, Gronkowski, who drew an ideal inside post per Chad, because of his closing style and need to save ground, was made the second choice at 4-1. Gronk will be ridden by Joel Rosario but has yet to race since his 2nd place finish to Justify in the Belmont.

Wonder Gadot, the Canadian-bred daughter of 2002 Travers winner Medaglia d’Oro, will be ridden by leading jockey Irad Ortiz, and will try to make history by becoming the first filly to win the Midsummer Derby since Lady Rotha in 1915, who did so via disqualification. Six other fillies in the very early runnings of the race won before her.

Gadot, correctly pronounced “Ga-dote” per Israeli-born beauty Gal Gadot, the Wonder Woman actress who the filly was named after, is actually the first filly even entered since 1979, when John Veitch’s Hall of Famer Davona Dale, with Hall of Famer Jorgie Velasquez aboard, finished 4th as the favorite.

Two horses I will certainly have my eyes on are Vino Rosso, Todd Pletcher’s son of Curlin, who will be ridden by Hall of Famer Johnny Velazquez, and is listed at 10-1 on the morning line, and Catholic Boy, who is trained by former Pletcher assistant Jonathan Thomas, who will be ridden by another Hall of Famer in Javi Castellano. Javi also holds the Travers record with 5 victories. Catholic Boy is listed at 8-1, along with one of Steve Asmussen’s two entries, Tenfold, the Jim Dandy winner, who will have Ricardo Santana aboard.

With gorgeous weather anticipated, I can’t wait for this great day to arrive, and I hope that everyone is as excited as I am!

Friday, August 24

New York Showcase Day
Travers Eve will be dedicated to New York-breds during New York Showcase Day at Saratoga Race Course. The afternoon’s card will feature six stakes exclusively for New York-breds, including the $250,000 Albany for 3-year-olds, the $200,000 Funny Cide for budding New York-bred stars, and the $150,000 West Point presented by Trustco Bank. The Knight Caps, the official glee club of the United States Military Academy, will perform their alma mater in the winner’s circle following the running of the West Point. 

Red Jacket Ceremony
The day will be highlighted by the induction of four-time Eclipse Award-winning and two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert into the Saratoga Walk of Fame during the annual Red Jacket Ceremony. The ceremony will take place adjacent to the winner’s circle following the day’s fifth race at approximately 3:30 p.m. During the event, Baffert will receive an emblematic Saratoga red jacket and his plaque will be formally unveiled to the public. The Saratoga Walk of Fame honors and showcases the achievements of those who have made significant contributions to the sport of thoroughbred racing and to the advancement of the Saratoga Race Course.

Saratoga County EOC Food Drive at Community Outreach Booth
The New York Racing Association will welcome the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) to Saratoga Race Course to host its annual food and essential goods drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fans are invited to donate non-perishable dry and canned goods as well as toiletries at the Community Outreach Booth, located on the Jockey Silks Room Porch and across from the Saratoga Walk of Fame. Fans who donate three or more items will receive a 2018 Saratoga baseball cap, while supplies last.

Taste NY: Craft Beer
This weekly event offers guests a selection of New York craft beers available for sampling in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Fans will be able to sample five craft beers for $5 at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from noon to 5 p.m. 

The Last Race Showcase at The Stretch
NYRA invites fans who are in attendance to experience The Stretch for free from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Stretch is Saratoga’s exclusive new hospitality area located in the Grandstand at the Top of the Stretch. There will be food and drink specials and live DJ entertainment. Fans can enjoy the new amenities at The Stretch, including a private bar, concessions, hi-def video screens and televisions, and dramatic views of the Stretch run. 

Saturday, August 25 - TRAVERS DAY 

Travers Day
Saratoga’s most anticipated race - the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers will return for its 149th running as the feature on a blockbuster card. This year’s Travers is sponsored by Runhappy, a champion sprinter currently standing at Claiborne Farm.
In addition to Kentucky Derby runner-up and Haskell winner Good Magic, the Runhappy Travers field is expected to include Wonder Gadot, who will seek to become the first filly to win the Travers since 1915. Other probable starters include Jim Dandy winner Tenfold, Wood Memorial winner Vino Rosso, Belmont Derby winner Catholic Boy, Belmont Stakes runner-up Gronkowski, and Haskell runner-up Bravazo.
The Runhappy Travers will be one of six Grade 1s on Travers Day, which will also feature the $1 million Sword Dancer, the $700,000 Personal Ensign, the $600,000 Forego, the $500,000 Ketel One Ballerina, and the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial presented by Runhappy. Rounding out the impressive card is the Grade 2, $400,000 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa.
Gates open at 7 a.m. with a special first post time of 11:35 a.m. All guests are subject to enhanced screening upon entering the grounds and will not be permitted to run once inside the property for their safety. This policy will be strictly enforced. 
There is a strict limit of one picnic table per person that may be reserved in the backyard. Re-selling of picnic tables is not allowed and will result in expulsion from track grounds. 
Fans planning to attend Travers Day can review a full list of track policies at www.nyra.com/saratoga/visit/saratoga-track-policies. 

NYRA Bets Seminar
Join Mike Watchmaker, Nick Tammaro and Richard Aller at the NYRA Bets Simulcast Center for a handicapping seminar to discuss their picks for the day. Find them on the second floor of the grandstand near The Stretch. The seminar begins at 11 a.m. 

Fashion Saturdays
Designed to showcase the tradition of style in thoroughbred racing, Fashion Saturdays will feature women’s and men’s apparel and accessories from local retailers, as well as a selection of home décor, spa care and jewelry items at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Josh Cellars Wine Tasting
Fans are invited to enjoy a wine tasting with Josh Cellars from 3 to 6 p.m. in the upper grandstand by section R, located adjacent to the entrance to The Stretch. 

Ketel One Saturdays at The Post
The fun will continue with Ketel One Saturdays at The Post. Fans are invited to sample the new Ketel One Botanicals from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host the Backstretch Employee Service Team, which aids the hard-working men and women employed to take care of the horses in the barn area.

Sunday, August 26

Smart N Fancy
The day’s feature is the $100,000 Smart N Fancy for fillies and mares on the turf.

Low Roller Challenge
Sunday will include the Low Roller Challenge which allows aspiring handicappers the opportunity to experience the thrill of tournament play for $40, with $30 going towards live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Taste NY: Food and Artisans
Each Sunday will welcome guests to a lively on-track market of numerous food and artisan vendors featuring products made exclusively in New York State. The market will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion.

Woodford Reserve at the Jim Dandy Bar
Guests are invited to the Jim Dandy Bar to sample Woodford Reserve Saratoga Personal Selection, crafted exclusively for racing fans at the Spa, from 2 to 4 p.m. 

Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host the Capital District New York Synchronized Skating, which represents athlete skaters from across the Capital Region. 

Monday, August 27

Better Talk Now
The afternoon will feature the $100,000 Better Talk Now for 3-year-olds on the turf.

Berkshire Bank Family Mondays
Monday will be highlighted by Berkshire Bank Family Mondays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavillion. All kid-friendly games and activities, including the opportunity to pet a retired thoroughbred, are free of charge, with the exception of one designated activity which carries a suggested donation to benefit a local school or PTA. The beneficiary of the sixth Monday of the season is Chango Elementary School in Ballston Lake. 

Berkshire Bank and Hannaford Supermarkets Backpack Giveaway
The first 500 kids, ages 12 and under, to visit the Coca-Cola Saratoga will receive a free drawstring bag filled with school supplies, courtesy of Berkshire Bank and Hannaford Supermarkets. One drawstring bag per child, who must be present to receive.

Low Roller Challenge
Monday will include the continuation of the Low Roller Challenge which allows aspiring handicappers the opportunity to experience the thrill of tournament play for $40, with $30 going towards live bankroll and $10 to the prize pool. Registration begins at 11 a.m. near the Fourstardave Sports Bar.

Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host Living Resources, a non-profit organization which provides services to individuals with a broad range of disabilities and impairments, including brain injury survivors and veterans.

Tuesday, August 28

DARK DAY, NO RACES

Wednesday, August 29

With Anticipation
The afternoon will feature the $150,000 With Anticipation for two-year-olds on turf.

NYRA Bets Late Pick 5
The multi-race wager covers the last five races of every card of live racing at Saratoga. It features a minimum single-ticket payout of $150,000 daily and $300,000 on Saturdays to NYRA Bets customers nationwide online and on-track in New York. The offer is only available to NYRA Bets customers. 

NYRA Bets Promotions
New customers who sign up for NYRA Bets using the promo code “SPA” will receive a $200 new member bonus. Visit NYRABets.com for details. Play the Trifecta in a selected stakes every day at Saratoga to earn a 10 percent bonus. Look for the stakes schedule on NYRABets.com.

College and Alumni Day
This year’s College Day will invite college students and alumni to enjoy an afternoon at the Spa. The Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion will feature an array of special activities and giveaways for guests.

Fan Appreciation Week
From Wednesday, August 29 through Monday, September 3, NYRA will thank its fans with a series of special events, activities and offers during closing week of the 2018 season at Saratoga Race Course.

Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will host Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany.

Thursday, August 30

P. G. Johnson
The afternoon will feature the $100,000 P.G. Johnson for two-year-old fillies on turf.

Taste NY: Cider, Wine & Spirits
Taste NY: Cider, Wine & Spirits offers guests a selection of cider, wine and spirits available for sampling each Thursday of the meet in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Fans will be able to sample five varietals for $5 at the Coca-Cola Saratoga Pavilion from noon to 5 p.m. 

Aperol Thursdays at The Post
Each Thursday, guests have the opportunity to sample Aperol Spritz cocktails at The Post Bar from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Community Outreach Booth
The Community Outreach Booth will feature the Saratoga Regional YMCA.

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer spent Wednesday in the Spa City as part of a national book tour to promote his recently published memoir, “The Briefing: Politics, the Press, and the President.”

Northshire Bookstore hosted a book-signing at their store on Broadway, where Spicer was greeted by approximately 60 people who attended the event, shared brief conversation and posed for pictures with President Trump's former press secretary.

Responding to one person who said they missed seeing him as press secretary, Spicer laughed and responded, “Ah, I’m good.” Another patron suggested they would like to see him seek political office. “I hate to let you down, but I’m not ever running for president,” Spicer said, with a smile.  

Northshire Bookstore owner Chris Morrow, who was present at the event, had earlier responded to inquiries from some patrons who disapprovingly questioned the store hosting Spicer. Morrow explained the store’s mission is to be “a bookstore for all people, with open access to books and authors as diverse as our wonderful country.” Attendees at Wednesday’s event were overwhelmingly supportive of Spicer.

“We support Trump, we support his agenda and we support Sean Spicer and everything he’s done while he was at the White House and as a Naval Commander,” said Kathy Obst, who made the drive to Saratoga Springs from Queensbury.  “There are so many people who live in our area who are not conservatives, so I think showing a unification of that is something important,” she said. “If you look at (Michael) Wolff and his book (“Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House”) and you look at Omarosa and the book she just released ("Unhinged: An Insider's Account of the Trump White House"), it’s just garbage. This book is filled with what happened at The White House and it’s all positive things.”

Meg Messitt who last November founded The Saratoga Springs High School Teenage Republicans club at the school, also attended the event. “I’m excited to read Sean Spicer’s book and learn more about the former press secretary of The White House,” said the soon-to-be 10th grade student.

In a gathering with reporters following the book-signing, Spicer was asked about the book tour, his thoughts on the current climate at the White House and whether he believed media is the enemy of the people, which he responded to with a brief and blunt “no.”

The book tour, Spicer said, has been fun.  Saratoga Springs marked the 24^th day of a tour which wound through the west coast, south through Texas and up north via Washington, D.C. “You saw a lot of folks here today who are Trump supporters, but there are also a lot of folks who come out say: I’m a Democrat, or not so much a supporter, but I’m interested in your story,” Spicer said. “It’s been fascinating to see the full spectrum of people who come out. I feel comfortable with the book that I’ve written. I enjoy being able to share my story and share some of the behind-the-scenes moments over the past couple of years.”  

Spicer was also asked about Omarosa Newman – a reality television show participant who became a political aide to President Trump. The release of her new book, which is critical of Trump, was met with a presidential tweet in which Trump referred to her as a “crazed, crying lowlife,” and a “dog.” Spicer’s response to queries about Omarosa: “I find it unsettling that someone would take a position of trust like that and then go out and frankly abuse it on multiple levels.”

Spicer said he often offered Trump advice which was not always taken but was reluctant to share specific information about what that advice was.  “There were plenty of times during the campaign when we would counsel him not to do something and he would disregard it and come out better,” Spicer said. “The track record the president has is doing it his way, and for many aspects of his life being successful.”

Following an afternoon visit to Saratoga Race Course, Spicer attended a Republican Party fundraiser on Union Avenue. A spirited group of about 70 people gathered outside to stage an “anti-treason rally,” criticizing Trump, local U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s alliance with the president, and waving American flags and Veterans for Peace flags, while carrying signs whose slogans ranged from “Reunite Families Now” to “Spicer Go Home.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS - The David Cassidy Band returned to the stage this week to perform their first concert since the death of the singer last November. They chose to stage the show in Saratoga Springs, a place the singer himself had maintained was his favorite in the world.

The special tribute concert to honor Cassidy also acted as a benefit for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, an organization and cause close to Cassidy’s heart. 

The six-member band gathered in Saratoga Tuesday morning and toured the TRF farm, located on Route 29, where they spent time with Bold Mon and Rock D.J. - two of the farm’s retired horses - in advance of that night’s show at Putnam Place.

The band’s 18-song set featured standard’s from Cassidy’s Partridge Family era – including  "I Can Hear Your Heartbeat," "Point Me in the Direction of Albuquerque," "I'll Meet You Halfway," and "I Woke Up In Love This Morning" – a nod to David Cassidy’s solo work (“Cherish”), and a slew of cover renditions that featured Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads,” The Beatles’ “In My Life,”  The Pretenders’ “Brass in Pocket” – with drummer Teri Coté stepping up to lead mic – and a pair of back-to-back tunes popularized by the Monkees: “Daydream Believer,” and “I’m A Believer.”

Dr. Jerry Bilinski, and Gary Contessa – two close friends of Cassidy in the horse racing industry – each took a turn at the mic. “I miss him a lot, just sitting on the porch with a cigar and talking,” recalled Bilinski, before singing a few bars of “I Think I Love You.” 

Contessa said he first met Cassidy at a Fasig Tipton horse sale 23 years ago and was amazed by the singer’s knowledge of horses. “He was a rock star who wanted to be a horse trainer.” Contessa then reversed that role when he donned a bass and joined the band for a blues jam. 

The six-piece band featured Teri Coté (drums); Craig Snider (keyboards/vocals); Dave Robicheau (guitar/vocals); Matt Sullivan (guitar/vocals); Vance Brescia (guitar/vocals) and Darrell Craig Harris (bass/vocals). They performed admirably and provided a good time for many of the 250 or so in attendance, many of whom moved together across the dance floor, or released emotions in the way of pent-up tears. Some did both.  

“This is the first time we got together and it’s a real blending of his past,” offered Craig Snider, during an interview prior to the show. “Sully (Matt Sullivan) was his guitar player before the current fellah, who wasn’t able to make it. Vance (Brescia) has been a friend of the band’s and David’s for a long time. He’s Peter Noone’s music director and a great singer. When we did the Idol Tour – which was David Cassidy, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Noone – we were the house band,” Snider explained. “So, when we thought: OK, who’s going to sing the body of these songs… Vance is a lead singer! I’m a good singer and Sully is a good singer as well, so in essence what we have are three lead singers filling in for what we had with one,” he said with a laugh. “Three divas, for the price of one.”

The rehearsal prior to the show was somewhat surreal, Snider said. “It was trippy because in my head I still hear David. It’s hard to verbalize, but when we started doing those songs, even though someone else is singing, physical memory is like musical memory so I was at times still hearing him, and kind of flipping back-and-forth.”

The event included auction items, and a meet-and-greet the band opportunity. Local artist David Hill painted a horse using the band’s live performance as inspiration. The completed painting was to be auctioned off as well.

“There’s a common thread we share, and that thread is David Cassidy. We had him come out of the TV screen and into our living rooms,” event organizer Linda de Ambrosio neatly summed up.

The TRF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. The organization said details regarding the amount of money raised during the concert will be announced next week.

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Diane Duhame says she has always felt the need to help others.

In late April, Duhame learned of a group of volunteers who host Friday get-togethers in Albany to provide hot meals for the hungry and necessary essentials to the less fortunate. “I thought: I want to do that,” says Duhame, who makes her home in Galway. 

The Albany organization, who call themselves Street Soldiers, gather at the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument in Washington Park and was founded in 2016 by area residents Renee and Mike Fahey. Their motto: We can't change the world, but we can help those local who are a part of the world.

In Saratoga, things moved quickly. Drawing inspiration from The Faheys, a small group of volunteers assembled in May and were granted permission to set up some tables in the Salvation Army parking lot on Woodlawn Avenue.

 “We started off with no idea what to expect,” Duhame recalled. “That first week we probably had two tables with some sandwiches and fruit. I didn’t know if anyone would show up.”  Volunteers from the Albany group came to support the Saratoga version of the Street Soldiers. About 15 people showed up that first week. The group has gathered every Saturday night since their inaugural May event. 

“It just grew from there. More and more people started coming. Now we have eight tables and we take up a third of the parking lot,” Duhame says. “The last couple of weeks we’ve had about 40 people – and it’s not just for the homeless. There are a lot of people who are trying to make it on minimum wage. There are people leaving bad relationships and on their own. We have families come by and working people who are making minimum wage. They can keep a roof over their heads, but not everything else -   sometimes it’s some shampoo or toilet paper to get you through the week.”  

The tables offer goods – from razors and shaving cream to hair conditioner, underwear and socks – as well as homemade food made by volunteers – a varying course of fried chicken and macaroni salad, to fruit and sandwiches. 

“Everybody makes the Saturday supper and brings it over. We’ve had goulash and bean soup; we’ve also barbecued a few times. Every week it’s something else,” Duhame says. “It’s just a group of individuals who show up Saturday night to help our friends. These are people who have good hearts. There are a lot of good people in the world.” The core group of volunteers has grown to more than a dozen, and more are always welcome.

 For those in need of a meal or supplies, there are no questions asked, and everyone is welcome, Duhame says. “There are no requirements. Just whoever needs it. We don’t ask for any kind of proof or even their name. And there’s no corporation (involved). Nobody has ever said anything negative to us. It’s been amazing, and it’s taken on a life of its own.”

The gatherings are staged 7 p.m. Saturday nights in the Woodlawn Avenue parking lot of the Salvation Army. The plan is to host the event year-round and there are currently discussions being held about moving to an early time slot, to maintain daylight hours, during the winter. 

“I know it’s only going to get bigger and we would like more people to help out. I know people don’t want to come out every Saturday night, but people could do little things: make something and drop it off, or just tell us where you are and we’ll tell someone to come get it. We live all over Saratoga County,” she says.  

The group has created a Facebook page - StreetSoldiers II Saratoga – which contains a “wish list” of supplies and food and information about how others may get involved.

“Sometimes people feel invisible. When someone pays attention, someone who touches your heart, it can make all the difference,” Duhame says. “It’s just human kindness.” 

Michael John Stone shows his appreciation for the Saratoga Street Soldiers, Saturday night Aug. 10, 2018. Photo by SuperSource Media.