Swish factor
Float on: Opera Saratoga’s “Cocktails and Caftans” end-of-summer soirée at a private residence.
From the editor
Happy weekend, everybody.
The community-building side of the Dispatch won this week: six events in a row, including two of my own — and today, I cross the finish line.
So today’s news is short and sweet. And late. I’m digging into a Trackside breakfast sandwich to keep me focused.
See you out there.
— Abby
In this issue:
💃 Everyone was here. So where was everybody?
📸 Seen in Saratoga at Keuka Spring
🏇 Track Report
🥂 Opera Saratoga gets resort ready
📩 Was this forwarded to you by a friend? Subscribe — and join the more than 6,000 of your neighbors who never miss a thing.
🀄 Mahjong! (don’t wait — first class is sold out) 🀄
Sunday, August 30, 1 p.m.: SOLD OUT
NEW CLASS: Sunday, August 30, 3 p.m. (3 tix left)
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 4 p.m. (10 tix left)
💃 Were we all too busy for summer this year?
Remember when you had summer friends you didn’t see all winter? This year, the season has been so packed that it’s a miracle if you even get to see those people.
Flag football just started — so those parents are already out on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Track folks are exhausted after going pretty much straight through since the Belmont. “Craziest summer ever,” the tireless Joyce White told me.
Can we even have friends anymore? Let’s check in with some very busy Saratogians…
“This summer was insane!! So many events that everyone was spread out all over the place. I have run out of dresses.”
“I barely saw my local friends, but I made tons of new ones. Everyone’s a friend when you drink rosé!”
“Interest in polo came roaring back this year. Sunday Sunsets at Bloomfield Farm, Thursday nights at the Saratoga Polo School, plus the odd lesson … fun, but it took up my whole summer.”
“My family chose this year to take a two-week cruise around Eastern Europe, and then I was jet-lagged. I barely saw anyone here at home.”
“I started my own small business that tied me to tourists every weekend. Satisfying, but seeing friends was hard.”
“I’m attempting to make September plans already, because I didn’t see my summer friends all summer.”
📸 IN PICTURES
Photos by Seen in Saratoga
Throwing a full Dinner Club — including booking 9-11 large tables at downtown restaurants — seemed like too much for the peak of track season. So I threw a little “alumni” happy hour at Keuka Spring’s stunning tasting room on Spring Street (keep reading for more information).
Our next Dinner Club is Wednesday, September 9! Join 50+ of your neighbors who can’t wait to meet you. Click here to fill out your quiz and join the fun!
What is a wine club?
You can’t beat Happy Hour at Keuka Spring (15 Spring Street, formerly Red Wolf): Think $10 glasses of world-class wines. (Plus a menu of New York-brewed beers and ciders, canned cocktails, whiskey and more.)
But for a true taste of wine country, opt for a flight — or join their uber-popular wine club.
“Our wine club has become one of the coolest clubs in town to be a part of,” says Keuka’s Autumn Manning. “For our local members, it’s become part of their routine. They take advantage of their two complimentary tastings each month, making it the perfect date night — start with a wine tasting with us, then head out to dinner and enjoy Downtown. We’ve even seen friendships form between members, making it a great way for people who are new to the area to connect.”
For more info on Keuka Spring’s Saratoga outpost, visit their website.
🏇 TRACK REPORT
Travers watch: Todd Pletcher tells Spectrum News that he’s “very confident” in Renegade.
My Gun’s Loaded wins the Alabama in an upset, reports BloodHorse.
Four days after Save Us Melania finished second in her race, a horse named Onebigbeautifulbill runs in today’s Race 9.
Couple works with Saratoga PLAN to protect the land where they’ve cared for Thoroughbreds for decades, reports Saratoga TODAY.
VIDEO: A little rain didn’t stop Sovereignty from hitting the Oklahoma this morning, shows Spa Infield Goose.
📌 ICYMI…
This upscale restaurant is going 🍳 ‘all you can eat’ for brunch. (starting today!)
🥂 Opera Saratoga gets flowy and fabulous
To close out the summer, the artsy set partied in Palm Beach-chic caftans (I was a co-host of the Thursday night affair) — including a special performance by Nazrin Azlan Alymann (Colonel Pickering in June’s My Fair Lady).
Unplanned: We’ll close today’s Dispatch with this impromptu selfie that closed out the night. When I saw the photo later, I realized that everyone in it is a Dispatch Dinner Club alum!
