Hostess stand’s ‘weird’ horse art becoming major status symbol
PLUS: Opera Saratoga's well-played 'health, history, horses' season, Sovereignty's fever, and toasting our vets.
Hostess stand’s ‘weird’ horse art is whisked away — again
That ‘weird’ piece of $1200 horse art that caught your attention before dinner is quickly becoming downtown’s newest status symbol.
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When Standard Fare placed a painting of a deranged-looking horse next to the hostess stand before opening Aug. 15, it was considered a bold move by some. Instead, the decision has turned out to be more like putting a spotlight on the town’s newest status symbol. The new Phila Street hotspot is officially on its third painting there in under three months, having sold its first two for $1200 each.
The third — which was hung Saturday — is for sale for $2000.
“I didn’t know if the concept of ‘horse drawn poorly’ was a bit too weird for the Saratoga Springs crowd,” says Daniel Fairley, brother-in-law of the restaurant’s co-owner Zac Denham and the sole artist for the restaurant. “But I am incredibly happy to have met art lovers who probably grew up on PeeWee’s Playhouse as I did and have the same tastes for ‘weird.’”
The horse paintings — 24” x 36” acrylic and ink on canvas — are about as far from a standard piece of Saratoga artwork as you can get, displaying a clever irreverence that is resonating with curious diners. The series is called “Thad’s Picks,” after Fairley’s father-in-law — Denham’s dad — who has gained a reputation for his terrible horse betting.
“Thad’s picks are not the ultra-competitive, well trained, high velocity sprinters,” Fairley says. “They are taking in the scenery and going at their own pace. They stick their tongue out behind them even though no one’s there. They are here for the vibes.”
Now that the coveted spot has proven so popular, Fairley now keeps ideas at the ready. But he didn’t need them for the newest hostess stand star.
“I keep a few in my back pocket for composition, but it just so happened that the weekend the painting sold coincided with my father-in-law Thad’s birthday,” he says. “Since he was the original inspiration for the first piece, I shared that the first two horse paintings sold. He was quick to respond with ‘I told you they were winners.’ The third piece in the series is titled Paint Me Like One of Thad’s Picks and features a horse tastefully modeling on the couch ready to be immortalized on canvas.”
A downtown couple who live just a few blocks away picked up Thad’s Pick (Again), with the wife being the one on-hand this weekend for the ceremonial swapping out.
“I let her take a peek at the newest horse,” Fairley says. “She asked for a photo so she could send it to the friend who lost out on the first one, so it might not be there for long…
For more of his work or to commission a piece, visit poemdexter.com.
Keep reading!
Artist’s unique take on horse art lands first major Saratoga sale
After leaving Saratoga, Breeders’ Cup 6-5 fave spikes a fever
After a hugely successful last workout yesterday in Del Mar after leaving Saratoga, the great Sovereignty was made the 6-5 favorite for this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. And then…he spiked a fever that has put his run in jeopardy. “There’s a possibility that he won’t make the race on Saturday,” trainer Bill Mott told journalists early this morning, according to Thoroughbred Daily News. While he assured everyone that Sovereignty’s temp was back to normal after a “slight fever,” he said “it’s over” if he doesn’t feel that Godolphin’s Into Mischief colt is at 100 percent the day of the race, said the outlet. Sovereignty has a four-race winning streak — three of them right here in Saratoga — Kentucky Derby, Belmont, Travers and Jim Dandy.
Well-played, Opera Saratoga: New season offers ‘health, history and horses’
Opera Saratoga has finished announcing its 2026 Summer Festival season, and I think you’ll like what they did there. “This season celebrates Saratoga,” says the company’s General and Artistic Director, Mary Birnbaum. “We’ve got health — Dr. Dulcamara’s miracle in Elixir of Love; history — a historical partnership with the Glimmerglass Festival for a state-wide tour of Happy End plus the first Mainstage commission from an all-female team for Drift; and horses — the famous Ascot race in My Fair Lady.” And that is what a top-level creative type can whip up in no time, folks. Subscriptions go on sale Nov. 7 for the entire summer festival, which runs May 20-June 28 at UPH.
How to celebrate our vets just ahead of Veterans Day
Early registration is open for this important breakfast.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — The Veterans Business Council (VBC) of The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is presenting the Saratoga community with an opportunity to support veterans this November, just ahead of Veterans Day.
The council will host its annual breakfast at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs.
The morning of “connection and camaraderie” will feature recognition of the council’s year-round work in providing scholarships and career connections for veterans, along with a keynote address from retired U.S. Marine Corps. Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Smith, founder and Chief Consultant of Smith Leadership Consulting Group. Smith is a retired U.S. Marine Corps. command sergeant major with almost three decades of service.
To date, Smith — a certified professional counselor through the U.S. Department of Labor — has trained professionals from the federal government, including the U.S. Department of Defense, along with an array of organizations among the private sector.
“The Veterans Business Council annual breakfast is an inspiring morning of connection and camaraderie where we honor the achievements of our scholarship recipients and hear from an exceptional keynote speaker,” said Joseph Juracka, Chair of the Veterans Business Council of The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “This year, we’re thrilled to welcome Gary Smith, who will share valuable insights on achieving optimal performance in business and beyond. It’s a rewarding experience for everyone who attends and a wonderful opportunity to show support for those who have served our country.”
The VBC invites all who support veterans to attend this event. Tickets are $45 per person, and proceeds will benefit the council’s programs and its mission to facilitate opportunities for military veterans residing in Saratoga County. Efforts include connecting veterans with the business community to enhance their knowledge of employment opportunities, job or entrepreneurial training, and new business development.
Advance registration is available online at www.saratoga.org/vbc-veterans-breakfast.
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