In a shortened week dominated by torrential downpours, heat and scorching humidity, it was ironically fitting that the track went dark the day after its beloved patron saint, the Queen of Saratoga, Marylou Whitney passed away.
Since time immemorial the Spa has been graced with Marylou's philanthropy and joie de vivre. From the backstretch to the ballroom, and from the farm to the finish line, she dignified every mission with her timeless style and class, and her love of horse racing, and the people behind the scenes that are its heart and soul.
Marylou will very sadly miss her long overdue induction into the Racing Hall of Fame next week, but her eternal legacy and spirit will certainly be very much present and alive at the ceremony.
Marylou won the Eclipse Award of Merit in the Pillars of the Turf category in 2011, and is the only woman to have ever owned and bred a Kentucky Oaks winner.
In 2003 her homebred Bird Town went off at 18--1 under new rider, Edgar Prado, but went on to win the Oaks in the record breaking time of 1:48.64 for the 1-1/8 mile race. This record still stands today.
One month later, Bird Town captured her second Grade 1 with a victory in the one mile Acorn at Belmont, cementing her Eclipse Award later that year as Top 3 Year Old Filly.
In 2004 another of Marylou's homebreds, Birdstone, gave her perhaps her greatest thrill in horseracing when he upset the Triple Crown bid of Smarty Jones in the Belmont. Marylou was typically gracious, however, as she actually apologized for thwarting history, saying that she'd told Edgar before the race to come in 2nd.
Birdstone came back to capture the unforgettable edition of the Travers that August, when a treacherous, blackened sky loomed over the darkened oval, and equally soaked and delighted the crowd, including a jubilant Marylou, and her loyal friend and soon-to-be Hall of Fame trainer, Nick Zito.
Wednesday's card was highlighted by the inaugural running of the Rick Violette Stakes for 2 year old New York-breds going 6 furlongs. How apropos it was that Heaven let loose and reminded us of Rick's rain soaked, triumphant Whitney in his twilight last year, when his wonderful New York-bred, Diversify, brought him such joy, only two months before his passing.
Although there was no prophetic rainbow following his race this year, there were plenty of wet hugs and tears of joy, as longtime friends and colleagues gathered in the Winner's Circle to pay tribute to a man who fought passionately for them and for New York racing.
As a rookie trainer Rudy Rodriguez occupied Barn 7 at Aqueduct next to Rick's Barn 6. The lessons Rudy learned watching the veteran trainer ply his trade have been very valuable during his successful career, and Rudy will never forget the impact Rick made not only on him, but on every life he touched on the backstretch.
For this reason, it was an emotional honor for Rudy to win the very first Rick Violette Stakes. His longshot, Sky of Hook, under a superb ride by Luis Saez, broke well and sat in third behind the favorites. When it looked like he had no hope at the eighth pole with Listentoyourheart ahead by two lengths, the chesnut colt roared over the sloppy going and nailed the frontrunner at the wire by a nose.
Sky of Hook paid $20.60 for the win, and for Luis it seemed most fitting that he should capture the first Rick Violette Stakes, as he was aboard Rick's last winner, Byself, when he won an AOC at Belmont last October.
Before Wednesday's inaugural running of the Rick Violette, an announcement was made that was surely sweet music to Angel Rick's ears. Executive Director Gordon Boyd and Bethesda Episcopal Church, in conjunction with B.E.S.T. (Backstrech Employees Service Team) and its Executive Director, Paul Ruchames, announced the groundbreaking of Mercy House, a 6000 square foot facility that will serve veterans, domestic abuse victims, and backstretch workers.
The top floor of the four story Mercy House will be dedicated to and named after Rick Violette. It will house backstretch workers recovering from injuries, substance abuse, or general hardship, and I cannot possibly imagine a finer way to honor Rick's tireless work and dedication to these very people.
Bravo to NYTHA (New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association) and President Joe Applebaum for their $25K donation to initiate this project in memory of their longtime President and fearless advocate, Rick Violette.
In Thursday's feature, The Stillwater, a $100K, 6 furlong stakes for 2 year old New York-bred fillies, Jeremiah Englehart and Al Gold's My Italian Rabbi survived a thrilling stretch battle with the 2-5 favorite, Fierce Lady, to win by a nose.
Red hot Luis Saez once again rode a longshot to victory, as My Italian Rabbi paid $19.80 for the win.
With each passing season, I realize more every day how much I cherish certain things in life, with family and old friends at the top of my list. One of these "things" represents both family and old friends, and is the arrival from Cincinnati of my good friend Steve Sylvester and the wonderful guys in his family for their annual Saratoga trip.
Although this year's pilgrimage started off on a rocky note when Syl's flight was cancelled out of Cincy early Thursday morning, and continued with the weather issues and cancellation of Saturday's card, nothing will ever rain on Steve Sylvester and his crew's parade.
As the proud son of Vito Sylvester, who was a member of General Patton's 3rd Army that rescued American forces at the Siege of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, Syl will never sweat the small stuff. His positive nature, kind spirit and generous soul will always reign, as his never say die attitude is contagious.
While the boys were arriving at the Holiday Inn before the first night tradition of dinner at Pennell's, the heat that would put a stamp on their long weekend was close at their heels.
Friday's card was nothing to write home about, as even the Grade 3 Lake George for 3 year old fillies going a mile on the turf was diminished to a 3 horse, Chad Brown only field, after four fillies scratched out.
When it's slim pickings at the Track, and you can't cut the air with a knife, it's time for an early arrival at Siro's, where coveted bar stools in the corner and cool air are greeted like a trip to the Winner's Circle!
Syl, a member of Ara Parseghian's undefeated 1973 National Championship team at Notre Dame that upset top-ranked Alabama 24-23 in the Sugar Bowl, was a longtime NFL veteran with the Oakland Raiders, where he collected three Super Bowl rings in 1976, 1980 and 1983.
Syl loves the corner seat that once was occupied by our beloved Pop Warner Football Coach, Spike O'Hara, and although local artist and icon Hud Armstrong has retired from bartending, and a beautiful young girl named Briea is now in his spot, somehow one could sense the passing of history, and believe that Spike and Syl are kindred spirits with their love of people, football and horseracing.
The night continued at Mama Mia's, another favorite spot for the guys, which for me is oddly reminiscent of Cincinnati's old Sorrento's, a place that is near and dear to my heart. It is here where I was introduced to Syl some 40 years ago by our dearly departed friend, Willie DeLuca, Sorrento's owner, and a veteran of the Saratoga trip.
While putting my then husband through Medical School, I worked days at the University of Cincinnati and nights at Sorrento's. Sweet Mama did all the cooking, and Willie was the "host with the most," ever the entertainer out front, while Papa Enrico ruled in stern silence out back.
Tragically, Papa died following a fire in their kitchen, and Willie passed away far too soon only a year or so later in 2006. I know that the Saratoga trip in 2005 was forever etched in Willie's memory as a beautiful highlight. Syl, with his huge heart, continues to look out for Willie's son Enrico who now lives in Toledo.
The brainchild behind this annual trip is Syl's cousin, John Sharbell, who wanted to honor his late Dad, who also passed away far too soon at 50, by establishing this tradition, now in its 17th year.
John's Dad "Junior" was married to one of Syl's Dad Vito's sisters, and along with Joe Raphael, who was also married to one of Vito's sisters, became best friends in business and life, through their shared love of horseracing, gambling and River Downs. This tightknit trio, with their unique blend of Italian and Lebanese blood, created a powerful family bond that is strong to this day.
"Junior" ran a very significant bookmaking operation in Cincinnati, and Vito and Joe, who also served in the military, were his loyal "runners" after returning from WWII. John, with his Hollywood good looks and easy smile, was his Dad's best student, and carries the family torch proudly today.
The lucky recipients of John's idea and expertise include his brother Joe Sharbell, who is an avid Xavier fan like me, Tommy Raphael, the original Joe's son, who is a semi-retired union electrician, and his son Timmy, who went to Ohio State and lives in Columbus.
The family tree continues with Mike, a longtime Cincinnati area school teacher, who married one of Tommy's sisters, and his son Vinny, who also graduated from Ohio State, with a degree in Civil Engineering.
Brothers Kevin and Johnny are also grandsons of Joe Raphael, as their Mom is one of Tommy's sisters, too. Johnny works at my old GE Credit Union, while Kevin works at the University of Cincinnati, and is about to become a proud papa for the first time, with a baby girl on the way.
The elder statesman of the younger generation who is also a regular on this eagerly anticipated trip is the oldest Raphael cousin, JD. He is the son of Tommy's older brother Joe, who sadly passed away recently. JD is an HVAC salesman.
Rounding out the lineup is Adam Stowe, who interestingly, but probably coincidentally, has the same last name as my mother's ancestor, Harriett Beecher Stowe. Harriett actually lived in Cincinnati in the 1830's when her Dad Lyman Beecher was President of the Lane Theological Seminary. She met and then married her husband, Calvin Stowe, during her Dad's time in Cincinnati.
Adam's Grandfather was the longtime beloved Clubhouse Manager for the Cincinnati Reds, Bernie Stowe, whose son Mark married another Raphael sister, Adam's mother. Adam and cousin Kevin were Reds' batboys as kids, just as Grandpa Bernie was at the beginning of his legendary 67 year career with the organization. Bernie passed away in 2016.
Adam went to my beloved Xavier, like his Uncle Joe Sharbell, and works downtown for 5/3 Bank. He also moonlights as the owner of The Exchange, a bar close to 5/3 headquarters.
I would be remiss not to mention one of the other trip regulars, "Happy" Fein, who like me is not an actual member of the family, but as a good friend of Syl's is welcomed with open arms. Happy, who was the official scorekeeper for the Boston Celtics during their heyday from 1969-1979, drives up from his Ridgewood, New Jersey home every year.
As I said my goodbyes to Syl and the Cincy crew after a day at The Rivers Casino Sportsbook, necessitated by the cancellation of racing at the Spa, I was filled with gratitude for them, and also for my beloved hometown, as I realized that it is the allure of Saratoga that brings them back every year, and serves as our conduit.
I am honored to be included as just one of the guys during their epic adventure each year, and can never thank Syl enough for his generosity, or his crew for allowing this gal to interrupt their all male family affair, and for linking me to my 35 year history in Cincinnati.
So Long, Farewell! Same Time, Next Year
