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Jonathon Norcross
UPH Hosts Belmont Draw Show
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Belmont Stakes Draw Show was held at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs on Monday evening. The event, hosted by Fox Sports horse racing analyst Acacia Clement, was live streamed by the New York Racing Association (NYRA).
“This event serves as a kick off to a truly historic week in Saratoga Springs,” Clement said.
Post positions for the Belmont Stakes, in order of their announcement, were as follows:
2 - Resilience
1 - Seize the Grey
6 - Dornoch
9 - Sierra Leone
4 - The Wine Steward
5 - Antiquarian
7 - Protective
8 - Honor Marie
10 - Mindframe
3 - Mystik Dan
Saratoga Girls Lacrosse Team Captures Second-Straight Sectional Title, Wraps Up Season
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs varsity girls lacrosse team captured its second-straight Section 2, Class A sectional title last week against Colonie Central, 11 to 10.
The Blue Streaks had a come-from-behind victory, scoring four goals after being down 10 to 7.
“The girls definitely felt they had what it took to win sectionals again and used defending their title as their motivation,” Coach Jennifer Furze told Saratoga TODAY.
After capturing the sectional championships, Saratoga advanced to the regional finals, where they faced the Suffern Mounties last Saturday afternoon in Queensbury. Heading into the contest, Furze said her team was “confident, hungry” and eager to beat Suffern after losing to them last year.
“Strategic game play will be important against this team,” Furze said. “They love to drown the clock. They played keep-away for much of the second half on us last year. I would love to give them a taste of their own medicine.”
In the anticipated matchup, Suffern scored four goals early, forcing the Blue Streaks to play catchup. Much like their victory in sectionals, Saratoga rallied late. But this time, it wasn’t enough. Suffern took the regional title, 10 to 8.
During the game, Saratoga senior Carly Wise netted her 300th career goal.
Coach Jennifer Furze said her team attributed its success this season to several different factors. “We focus on positives every day, ending each practice by listing three positive take-aways. We communicate well and keep composure during stressful game situations. We support one another and spend time taking care of our mental conditioning as well as our physical.”
It was a memorable and emotional season for the Blue Streaks lacrosse team. Last month, they paid tribute to Olivia Allen, a recent Saratoga grad who succumbed to leukemia in March. Coach Furze’s daughter was close friends with Allen.
“A team that fought to the very end,” read a message posted to the team’s social media account. “We are so proud of our [lacrosse] fam and honored to be called a Blue Streak. We had many victories this season and continue to stay united.”
A Guide to Belmont TV Coverage
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Fox Sports will be providing full coverage of this year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at the Saratoga Race Course. The broadcast will be split across several channels, including Fox, FS1, and FS2. The action can also be streamed live on the Fox Sports app and FoxSports.com.
Frank Mirahmadi, who announces the annual summer meet at Saratoga, will call the Belmont Stakes. He’ll also announce all other races airing on Fox from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 8.
Thursday, June 6
Full coverage of the first day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will air on FS2 from 12:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Friday, June 7
Coverage for day two will be split across two networks: FS2 and FS1. Tune in to FS2 for coverage from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., then switch over to FS1 for additional coverage from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 8
Belmont Stakes Day will be aired across three networks: FS1 (10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.), Fox (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.), and FS2 (7 p.m. - 8:10 p.m.)
Beginning at 4 p.m., Fox’s pre-race show will be anchored by Curt Menefee, multiple Grade 1-winning trainer Tom Amoss, and retired jockey Richard Migliore. Also providing coverage will be Fox Sports wagering expert Chris “The Bear” Fallica, handicapper Jonathon Kinchen, Emmy Award-winning reporter Tom Rinaldi, and racing analyst Maggie Wolfendale.
Sunday, June 9
The final day of the festival will be broadcast on FS2 from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m., then FS1 from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. Coverage will conclude on FS2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Inaugural 518 Futures High School Softball Classic Coming to Malta
MALTA — The inaugural 518 Futures High School Softball Classic will take place on Sunday, June 9 at 4 p.m. at the Luther Forest Athletic Fields in Malta. The event will include an All Star game and a home run derby.
Participants from the Saratoga region include:
Saratoga Springs
Jackie Cutting - pitcher/outfielder
Natalie Conroy - third base
Olivia Tetreault - outfield
Sarah Decker - catcher
Ballston Spa
Madelyn Perrone - first base
Livia Wiltsie - pitcher/utility
Carlie Koebbeman - outfield
Calleigh Sisk - catcher
Schuylerville
Sophia Wahl - pitcher
For more information on the softball classic, or to purchase tickets, visit www.518softball.org.
Lakefront Ice Cream Shop Has “Ugly” Opening
SARATOGA SPRINGS — “This is a beautiful day to eat some Ugly Ice Cream,” quipped New York State Senator Jim Tedisco.
With the sun shining and more than a few Saratoga Lake visitors getting an early start to the weekend, Ugly Ice Cream held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce to celebrate their new menu and recent opening.
The shop at Brown’s Beach began dishing out cones earlier this month. Its menu includes Oboys, hot dogs, nachos, tater tots, and, of course, soft serve ice cream.
Ugly Ice Cream is located at 511 NY-9P and is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Capital City Cycle Rolls Into Saratoga
SARATOGA SPRINGS — As the Baha Men’s 2000 classic “Who Let the Dogs Out” blared, a 14-passenger, pedal-powered vehicle circled around the Ace Hardware parking lot to commemorate the launch of Capital City Cycle Co. in Saratoga Springs.
The company will be running two-hour tours of the city, with stops at Pint Sized, Kraverie, and The Barrelhouse. Tours begin and end in the Ace Hardware parking lot at 41 Walworth.
Owner Carson Stewart recently purchased the business from his uncle, who started the tours back in 2013. “I’ve kind of looked up to him my whole life,” Stewart said. “I’ve always thought he was a very successful businessman. The fact that he was willing to hand off his first-ever business to me, sell it to me, it really is a dream come true.”
Capital City Cycle has three vehicles total; one in Troy, one in Schenectady, and the third in Saratoga. Although drinks are prohibited on the tours themselves, customers can buy plenty of beverages in one (or all) of the tour’s three stops.
For more information or to book a tour, visit capitalcitybrewcycle.com.
Route 50 Diner in Ballston Spa Briefly Closed Due to Health Violation
BALLSTON SPA — According to the New York State Department of Health, the Route 50 Diner in Ballston Spa was temporarily closed after an inspection on May 30 revealed an apparent, ongoing pest control issue.
The diner hired a pest control company to “mitigate the cockroach issue throughout the facility,” a health department report stated.
In order to reopen, the diner needed to send the Glens Falls District Office a receipt showing that pest control services have been completed, a document from the pest control company stating that the diner is pest free, and a contract with the pest control company showing that maintenance will be performed for at least the next six months.
In a statement posted to social media, the company said it was doing the best it could to reopen. “The sad part is we are in a building with two other businesses that are not required to do anything,” the statement said. “As much as everybody wants to put us down and say negative things, we will rise up and we always do.”
The next day, the diner announced that it would be reopening on June 5.
The Route 50 Diner, located at 2002 Doubleday Avenue, was also temporarily closed last year by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance due to unpaid taxes.
SPACtacular Fundraiser Kicks Off Summer Season
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Just days before the start of Belmont festivities, The Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s “SPACtacular” summer fundraiser event kicked off what’s sure to be a busy and celebratory season in Saratoga Springs.
Inside two large tents stationed on the SPAC grounds, guests enjoyed live music, a bevy of local food and drink options, fireworks, and a late-night dance party on the amphitheater stage.
Singer-songwriter Jes Hudak performed in the party tent (admission: $175), which featured bites from Druther’s Brewing, PDT Catering, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Wheatfield’s, and newcomer Sara’s Kitchen. The nearby glow lounge, housed in the open-air pavilion, had guests queued up for scalp massages, tarot card readings, and sound healings.
In the VIP tent (admission: $400), Jonathan Greene and the Grand Boubousse played live jazz while guests enjoyed a three-course wine pairing.
Fireworks were launched around 9:15 p.m., and the night concluded with a two-hour dance party on the amphitheater stage emceed by DJs Eric & Dillon.
The Summer SPACtacular is SPAC’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds benefit both year-round programming and education initiatives.
Since taking over the Spa Little Theater two years ago, SPAC has used it to host more than 50 indoor events attended by around 17,000 guests. Last year, SPAC launched its “Access the Arts” program, which provides weekly dance, music, and improvisational theater classes to individuals enrolled in day habilitation programs.
In addition to its popular Live Nation events, SPAC this year is hosting the Saratoga Jazz Festival on June 29 and 30; the New York City Ballet from July 9 to 13; Yo-Yo Ma on August 16; and John Legend on August 7.
Schuylerville Girls Track and Field Team Wins Third-Straight Sectional Title
BROADALBIN — The Schuylerville varsity girls track and field team captured its third-straight Section 2, Division 3 championship last week at Broadalbin-Perth High School, accumulating 122 total points.
Keira Rogan had a spectacular outing, winning the 800m, 1500m, 3000m, and the 2000m steeplechase. Nikki Stark won the 100m hurdles, setting a school record with a time of 15.24. Stark also took first place in the 400m hurdles.
Other strong performances at Broadalbin included Meaghan Lynch (3rd in the 100m and 200m, 2nd in the long jump and triple jump), Adeline Ballou (2nd in 1500m and 3rd in the 3000m), Ryan Stark (2nd in pole vault), Campbell Bailey (4th in the pentathlon long jump and shot put) and Taylor Brown (5th in the 800m). The girls 4x800 relay team also finished third.
The girls are scheduled to compete at the Section 2 state qualifier on May 30 and 31 at Guilderland High School.
The Black Horses boys team finished seventh at sectionals, with a number of strong individual outings including James Lynch (2nd in 3000m steeplechase, 3rd in 1600m, 3rd in pole vault),
Levi Michaud (2nd in high jump), Tristan Stallone (4th in the 1500m), and Gavin Winacott (4th in 3200m).
Kellen Dean Q&A
Saratoga Springs High School senior Kellen Dean advanced out of the U.S. Open local qualifier earlier this month at the Albany Country Club in Voorheesville.
He finished second among all competitors, shooting a 2-under 70 to become one of five players that moved on to final qualifying. He’ll continue his journey to this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club on June 13-16.
Saratoga TODAY asked Dean about his performance in the local qualifier, as well as his future plans.
Q: How did you feel about your performance in the qualifier on May 13? Did you meet or exceed your expectations?
A: I was very happy with my performance at Albany Country Club. I was very happy with how I battled back after a double bogey on hole three. Going into the event my expectations were to qualify so I definitely met my expectations.
Q: What parts of your game do you think are the strongest, and what areas are you working on?
A: I believe my strongest part of my game is my short game and wedging. I always feel like I have an advantage on the field when I am chipping or have a wedge in my hand. You can always work on your putting because it can always be better, but lately I have been working on hitting more fairways off the tee with my driver.
Q: What are your goals for the future?
A: I have a lot of summer tournaments this year I still have to qualify for but my biggest goals going into this year is to qualify for the US Jr Championship and PGA Jr Championship this summer. Another goal for this year was for my golf game to be sharp heading into my freshman year in college at Xavier University, and to be able to make an instant impact for the team.
