Party time: Local celeb wins with Caroline St. horse
Plus: Saturday morning Dish on Doc Severinsen and Renée Fleming at SPAC
The folks at Saratoga Race Course had a field day during Race 1 yesterday, when a talented horse — owned by local investment advisor Steve Bouchey — made his debut. The name? Caroline St. Beat.
Still an unknown, he didn’t get too big of a build-up, although Saratoga Live’s Maggie Wolfendale did declare the maiden “mentally mature” and said, “He just looks ready.”
But the Caroline Street party jokes started the second the horse, with Manny Franco aboard, broke into the final stretch, winning by three lengths. “How could this horse lose at Saratoga?” announcer Frank Mirahmadi deadpanned.
“Funny sidenote about the winner Caroline St. Beat,” said one of the Saratoga Live announcers afterwards. “The owner, Steve Bouchey…the last time I saw him? Caroline Street.” In previous years, Bouchey often held court at post-track Caroline Street hotspot Sperry’s, which remains shuttered this year.
Then the TV announcers got a little awkward, trying to explain the late-night party street (on which I happen to live, far enough from the fray).
“I'm going to say, hectic…I guess, ‘chaotic,’” bumbled one. Finally, they went for it: “It's wild. It is wild. On the weekends here…” “I'm unfamiliar,” one tried to be coy. “Of course you are.” “Never been.”
Cringe. (Sorry, guys.)
In his post-race, Winner’s Circle interview with Wolfendale, a very pumped up Bouchey confirmed that he did want to name his horse after downtown Saratoga. He was ecstatic about the win, and credited his late friend Christophe Clement, who passed away in May of a rare eye cancer. Christophe’s son, Miguel, has taken over training duties.
"Cristophe picked him out,” Bouchey said. “[He] called me last year after the sale, and he says, ‘I have a horse.’ And when he says he has a horse, I never say no. I've never said no to Christophe in 12 years; he and I were dear friends. And now Miguel — I mean, it doesn't get any better than this.”
On another note, the race also got some attention because Johnny V lost his crop. Twirling it in that way they do, it just flew out of his hands. “Oops,” said one of the Saratoga Live announcers. “Even the winningest rider in the history of Saratoga can lose his grip every once in awhile.”
To watch Saratoga Live, visit NYRA’s YouTube page. Yesterday’s episode isn’t showing up for some reason, as of press time.
The performing arts crowd came out in force last night, to see the opera icon Renée Fleming take the SPAC stage. Her passion for both saving the environment and creating an unforgettable experience was so great that she asked that all applause be saved for the very end of the first half. It was an oddly relaxing way to take in a performance, with no pressure to fill the silences between songs. Between that and breathing in the fresh air — honoring the thrill of taking in such greatness as the Philadelphia Orchestra surrounded by a very special state park was one of the objectives of the night — was remarkable.
The applause and standing ovations came in fast for the second act. Fleming brought the house down with Puccini’s "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi. “Everyone likes that aria; aliens like that aria,” she quipped afterwards, before heading off stage for a voice rest.
Spotted in the crowd: Brady and Zane Carruth, Garry and Joyce White, Sue Jeffreys (who called the night a “bucket list moment”), Opera Saratoga board members Bob Miller and Jeff Altamari and their wives Marcia and Bart. and dance teachers Frank and Mary Colby.
Note: Like a true opera diva, Fleming wore stunning, elaborate gowns for her performance. But I’m happy to report that while walking around downtown this morning, she was sporting comfy sneaks and a cozy little puffer jacket.
My Dispatch cofounder, Stephen Thurston had some Dish for you this morning regarding the legendary Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen, of The Tonight Show fame. The jazz trumpeter played his “last” show in 2022, a show presented by Caffe Lena right here at UPH. But it’s Doc Severinsen…is he really “done"?
“Do you still play?” Steve recently asked the great band leader during an impromptu interview at a Phi Beta induction ceremony in Middlebury, Vermont. Severinsen was being inducted as an honorary member — along with his wife, Dr. Cathy Leach, who is also a trumpeter. She’s heralded for breaking down barriers for women in the brass sections of orchestras.
“Oh, sure, yeah,” the musician answered.
The 98-year-old TV icon was a little tired.
“I tell you this teacher I’ve got out there…” he said and shook his head in disbelief. Severinsen was referring to his gym trainer who had put him through the ringer earlier in the day. Nearing 100 has not stopped his gym game, but he was still feeling a little while later.
During the ceremony, the power couple were lauded with praise, a trumpet solo of “Hail Phi Beta” by Northwest Missouri State University trumpet professor Bill Richardson, and small gifts. (Phi Beta is a national professional fraternal organization dedicated to promoting the best in the creative and performing arts, and developing the highest level of humanity through service.) The trip doubled as a house-hunting mission for Severinsen and Leach, who wanted a home near the Vermont side of her family.
The power couple were then driving back home to Tennessee, but they were making one stop — in the Spa City. They said they were planning to stay the night at the home of Saratogian, Caffè Lena champion and Friends producer Kevin Bright. Bright produced a documentary of Doc in 2020.
So would they be sneaking in for a quick set at Caffè Lena?
No, Cathy Leach said, but only because “we haven’t practiced.”
Dig into more Dish Saratoga!
The dish on Mouzon House’s supper club–only shift
AIM Services’ croquet bash brings back fan-fave fashion show