Victory, at last! A 2-year treasure hunt
PLUS: Live Nation steps into the future. Empanadas. Amtrak.
Rain mid-week when we’re all at work (etc) anyways?
With a glorious weekend of sun in the forecast?
Break out your summer wardrobe — looks like Mother Nature has been reading our group chats.
— Abby
Finders keepers
Nothing was going to stop Ashley Salvadore from finding a Saratoga Hidden Horseshoe.
When Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes launched in 2023, it immediately sparked a legion of bounty hunters eager to find one of the 300 (per year) treasures. But Ashley Salvadore? She was blissfully unaware until the next year — and then became addicted. “It’s a needle in a haystack!” she says. “If you think about how big Congress Park is, to find a horseshoe…”
And that’s the idea. The nonprofit hides “authentic racehorse shoes collected from the Backstretch of Saratoga Racecourse each season; 30 of which are decorated by local artists,” says founder Jenn Claeson. Even though each is numbered and has a QR code for registering — and she says most people do register theirs as soon as they find one — she remained coy about how many are still out there.
But she did say that — spoiler alert — Salvadore’s find was more than a year old, which backs up their claim that “there are always shoes out at all five locations!”
For those five locations and to watch out for info about the 2026 hunt, visit SaratogaHiddenHorseshoes.com.
“Didn’t find any @saratoga_hidden_horseshoes this morning, but stumbled upon this magical home for sale & bumped into my ex on the trail!”
Ashley Salvadore’s May 3, 2025 Instagram post, halfway into her two-year hunt
Q: Two years … you’ve really been searching for one of Saratoga’s Hidden Horseshoes for two years?
Two summers, feverishly. I’ve gotten on my hands and knees in the mud. I’ve sprinted at trash. I’ve dragged my mini Aussie, Grace, through thorn bushes chasing a glint of silver that turned out to be a Stewart’s cup. Meanwhile an 8-year-old wanders into Congress Park and finds one in 30 seconds.
Q: How did this even start?
At the Logan Strong Gala, two years ago. I sat next to an older gentleman — Sigi— who casually said, “Ever heard of the Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes? It’s basically a year-long Easter egg hunt.” I was in. Plot twist: I ran into Sigi again on opening day this year at Spring Run Trail. We hugged.
Q: Worst park to search?
Bog Meadow. I have been to the Amazon, and I saw more snakes at Bog Meadow. I don’t think they’re on the list anymore.
Q: How dramatic was your actual find (congrats!) this month?
First bush at Waterfront Park, five seconds out of the car — half-buried in mud. An older horseshoe, no less. And on Kentucky Derby day, the day the first female trainer ever won. It felt cosmic. I’m getting it framed.
Live Nation debuts new food and — gasp! — digital VIP tickets
Semi-organized tickets in stacks of folders (don’t even think of knocking them off the counter) are a rite of passage for box-holders at the track and SPAC. But as of yesterday, Live Nation is done.
Stepping into the future, of course, doesn’t come without some trepidation, but last night’s private reception at The Pines seemed to quell everyone’s fears over an all-digital ticketing universe. (Yes you can transfer tickets, yes the electronic tickets come with a parking pass.)
Also on the table: the VIP club’s new food options. Think cucumber salad, Churrasco beef sliders, bone-in wings — Kim McConchie gave them a thumb’s up — and an updated dip platter.
Oh, and chicken empanadas. Because Live Nation remains very on trend.
Speaking of empanadas
I can’t let that pass by. Saratoga has at last discovered the empanada, one of my favorite tasty (and convenient, easy-to-eat-in-public) treats. The Nuchas truck at the track helped for awhile, and Boca Bistro and Cantina have lovely options. But then Seneca added a mouthwatering pepperoni and braised leeks variety, and Viva Empanada (hooray!) is coming soon to the CVS shopping center.
And now Live Nation is serving them in VIP all summer long.
Foodies, we have made it.
Vitamin D for a cause
Monday’s weather is supposed to be gorgeous — perfect day for getting your hands dirty in Congress Park.
Join the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation for its Landscape Cleanup Day at the Spirit of Life from 3 to 6 p.m. (Think weeding and spreading mulch.)
Some gloves and tools will be on hand, but you are encouraged to bring your own.
To sign up, visit the Preservation Foundation.
Good vibes all the time!
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Expansion time
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the protection of 79 acres to expand Saratoga Spa State Park. The acquisition by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) will preserve wetlands, forest and open space.
“New York State is focused on conserving open space and providing first-class recreational opportunities,” she said as part of her announcement.
Face for TV
Capital Region Lifestyle is already expanding — and it doesn’t even launch until June 1. Jené Sena is coming onboard to “produce content that resonates with local women and moms,” NewsChannel 13 announced.
At NEWS10 ABC, Upstate Living’s Billy Floyd is getting a partner-in-crime. The mystery (female) cohost will be announced tomorrow.
Amtrak
Improvements to Amtrak’s modest Saratoga Springs stop are moving right along — and are scheduled to debut on time (next summer, in 2027).
On the list, announced Amtrak: a new boarding platform featuring an integrated snow melt system and accessible paths; LED light fixtures that provide full coverage lighting at the platform; new signage; and a new speaker system for the ticket counter.
📰 IN BRIEF
TU edition
The threat of a backstretch work stoppage looms over this historic third and last Belatoga, and the Times Union has all the details.
The TU also caught up with Albany-raised Jason R. Moore, who stars in The Punisher: One Last Kill, which was released yesterday on Disney+.
And finally, since I will never look at Chick-fil-A the same after its dominance over What’s Going on Saratoga during Covid (IYKYK) … the Latham outpost opens tomorrow, and there’s going to be free food — if you embrace the theme. Cheers to TU journo Shannon Fromma who got to start a news story with “Cow print is about to pay off.”
📌 ICYMI…
Short-term rental 411. ✌️ 2 new local TV shows.