‘But how will we go to the Whitney?’
Sierra Leone, last year’s Whitney Stakes winner, with Flavien Prat aboard. The day generated a record handle for NYRA. (Photo by Cathy Duffy)
From the editor
Happy track day,
If I hadn’t been floating through a dreamy two days of trackside fun, I might have sounded the alarm over Belmont Weekend.
We had stopped by the reservations desk to plan our summer — the website can be such a drag — but unlike over the past two years, the track’s table reservations for August were already fully committed. Even the professional was confused: “These must not have been released yet,” the Clubhouse’s customer service rep assured us.
By July 4, the news was delivered less gently: “We’re completely sold out.”
Even Wednesdays.
(Save for the occasional awkward table in the sun next to the horse path.)
“NYRA is telling everyone they’re overbooked,” one friend told me this week in a panic.
“Do you think they did it on purpose because they needed the cash as they finish Belmont Park?” asked another.
There are other theories making the rounds. But first, I’m headed to the track today and will see what I can uncover. Got any intel? Respond to this email!
— Abby
In this issue:
Julia Louis-Dreyfus adds star-power to some only-in-Saratoga revelry
A DeVaux sibling makes the news
🚨 Last call for Wednesday’s Dinner Club
…and more!
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🚨 Last call for Dinner Club tickets for Wednesday night. Sign-up ends at 6:30 p.m. Monday — do it now so you don’t forget.
You’ll meet five new friends over dinner, before all the tables head to Whitman Brewing to relax with a nightcap — we’ll have the spacious downstairs to ourselves — and gossip about how it all went down.
🏎️ You heard it here first
I started the week asking if horse racing could become the next Formula 1 — within minutes, David at the Tracksider texted me that he knew of at least one group trying to make a move to do just that.
And on Thursday, a press release went out about an F1/horse racing collab at the highest level.
“One of the key figures,” reported BloodHorse, “behind Formula 1 auto racing's meteoric rise in popularity plans to help launch a team-based horse racing league next season that has drawn many of the sport's biggest owners.”
Have you subscribed to the Tracksider yet? Yesterday’s edition was packed with info — from the above F1 story to the 411 on your favorite jockey, NYRA giveaways and more. As always, David tirelessly reports every day the track is open!
(Different) DeVaux in the news
Trainer Adrianne Devaux (sister to Cherie) made national headlines yesterday for taking to Facebook with a long impassioned letter to the Public Library. At the center: a “community presentation” by the nonprofit Horseracing Wrongs scheduled for July 15 about the “data, research and advocacy surrounding racehorse welfare.”
Adrianne appreciated the topic but asked that “both sides” be heard. “People watching a race know a horse for maybe two minutes,” she wrote. “We know them for years.” She noted the improvements in care that have been made: “If Saratoga is going to have this conversation, then let’s have the whole conversation.” She implored, “Hear from the people who think racing should end. But also hear from the people who have spent their entire lives trying to make it better.”
The library ended up pulling its sponsorship of the program.
Spotted: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Track season has certainly kicked off with a bang…
One lucky bettor recently headed straight to Siro’s to celebrate a big win by ordering his entire table a round of Golden Boys.
The $325 wagyu burgers topped with foie gras and king crab (and sprinkled with 24k gold leaf) claim to be the priciest in New York State.
But the revelry wasn’t complete without some major A-list star power.
Also eating at Siro’s during the party: Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
The two-pound, $325 Golden Boy burger at Siro’s comes with a side of caviar and tater tots.
⚽ SPORTSBALL
Headed to the track like I am today? Don’t let that stop you from getting your World Cup on.
The Targaryen-esque Erling Haaland and his Norwegian Vikings face off with England — including “Hey” Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane — at 5 p.m. And ticket-holders can simply head to the festival tent in the backyard for kickoff. Expect drink specials, giveaways and games, too.
Visit nyra.com for more info.
📌 ICYMI…
The Puck stops here
Today’s matinee is your last chance to catch New York City Ballet’s beloved showstopper A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
And this evening, the storied company ends its SPAC residency with Innovators & Icons, its more modern program.
The SPAC premieres have become the much—anticipated grand finale to NYCB’s stay; tonight, the great Tiler Peck offers Symphonie Espagnole. But first: works by Balanchine and Jerome Robbins.
To grab your ticket, hit the box office before either show or visit spac.org.
Soloists Maya McGuire and Kayla Sconiers, who sang with Opera Saratoga earlier this summer, flagged me down after ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’
Happy 75th anniversary to Clifton Park & Halfmoon Emergency Corps. The organization is committed to “premier patient care and successful, integrated community partnerships”. For more info, visit cphmems.org. (Photo: Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce)
Congrats to ADKtechs for its grand opening of its new location (1377 Rt. 9, Moreau); The computer pros offer businesses network and cyber security services. For more info, go to adktechs.com. (Photo: Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce)
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