Month: September 2016

Track Season Attendance Rises 5.4 Percent; Mechanicville Native Wins Training Title

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Practical Joke, trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Jose Ortiz, won the 112th running of the Hopeful on the final day of racing at Saratoga Race Course, Sept. 5.

Courtesy NYRA

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) concluded its 2016 season at Saratoga Race Course with all-sources handle of $647.3 million, matching last year’s record wagering that had shattered the previous high water mark by more than 10 percent, officials said on Sept. 6.

“The 2015 season, which saw uncommonly good weather and the presence of a Triple Crown champion, was historical and one for the ages,” said NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay.

The meet also saw Mechanicville native Chad Brown set the Saratoga record for wins by a trainer with 40, capturing his first H. Allen Jerkens training title while jockey Jose Ortiz collected 65 victories in securing his first Angel Cordero Jr. riding crown.

Total paid attendance for the 2016 Saratoga meet was 1,123,544, an increase of 5.4 percent over the 2015 season, officials said.

“This year’s meet was outstanding in its own right despite severe storms which forced the cancellation of part of a Saturday race card for the first time in modern history, as well as inclement weather on three Sundays,” he said. “Even with these challenges, the New York Racing Association generated total handle in line with last year’s record-shattering numbers.

“Our success is a reflection of the confidence that our fans and horseplayers have in our ability to deliver a reliable and consistent product of world-class thoroughbred racing and great entertainment. We thank the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, fans and the entire community who joined us this summer at Saratoga.

First-Ever 'Equestricon' Convention To Be Held In Saratoga Springs In The Summer of '17

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Dan Tordjman, co-founder of Equestricon, addresses a group gathered outside Saratoga City Center, giving details about the horse racing convention and industry trade show set for next year.

Steve Crayne

Saratoga Springs has been selected to be the host city next year for a first-ever international horse racing convention and industry trade show.

The inaugural event–called Equestricon– will bring together fans, horseplayers and stakeholders from every corner of the sport in an atmosphere of non-stop entertainment and lively discussion, organizers said.

Equestricon LLC., the group producing the show, announced the event on Sept. 2 outside Saratoga City Center in Saratoga Springs.

Equestricon 2017 is scheduled to kick off on Sunday night, Aug. 13 and continue through Tuesday, Aug. 15. It will be held at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

“Above all else, we are focused on one thing–the racing fan,” said Dan Tordjman, co-founder of Equestricon and correspondent for America’s Best Racing. “Equestricon is committed to creating an extremely fun and unprecedented outlet for any and all racing enthusiasts to engage with the sport like never before.”

'Fireball Run' Challenge, An Internet Network Series, To Stop In Southern Saratoga County

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

‘Fireball Run’ participants begin and end each day with a public event.

Courtesy Fireball Run

The televised adventure travel series “Fireball Run” (www.fireballrun.com) is coming to the Hudson Valley in late September, before arriving in southern Saratoga County.

Half of the entire season’s schedule (13 of 26 episodes) will be filmed throughout New York state, including western New York, Dutchess County, southern Saratoga County and Putnam County.

“Fireball Run” is an adventure-travel television series and competition. It involves 40 teams of adventurers, taking the road less traveled, in a quest for obscure and historic artifacts.

The participants cover some 2,000 miles over the 26 episodes. Every driving team is assigned a child missing from their home of origin, and they are provided 1,000 missing child flyers to distribute along the journey, thus aiding in efforts to find them, according to the producers.

On the show, contestants perform various secret “missions” before visiting Ballston Spa the evening of Thursday, Sept. 29, having a reception and staying overnight in Clifton Park. They will leave the area the following morning with a send-off on Clifton Country Road.

Tickets Are Available For 2016 Showcase Of Homes And Its 'Taste Of Showcase' Preview

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Tickets for the 2016 Saratoga Showcase of Homes are on sale.

The event will be presented over three weekends: Sept. 17-18, Sept. 24-25 and Oct. 1-2.

Tickets are available at Adirondack Trust Co., Saratoga National Bank, Trustco Bank, Curtis Lumber in Ballston Spa and Queensbury, Realty USA in Clifton Park and Roohan Realty in Saratoga Springs.

Tickets, $20 each, are always available at any showcase home during tour hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or can be purchased online at www.saratogashowcaseofhomes.com.

Each showcase ticket holder will receive a free tote bag at the first home visited.

This year’s edition features 20 homes in Saratoga County from 16 area builders.

Children Encouraged To Use Imagination, Not Computer Games, At Clifton Park Play Site

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Giggle Lounge owner Traci Montanino works with a child at her Clifton Park business.

By Liz Witbeck

A new family friendly entertainment option for children has opened in Clifton Park Center Mall.

The Giggle Lounge offers a variety of fun, imaginative play activities for children. The space is designed for children ages 8 and younger.

It consists of an indoor playground that accommodates many kinds of activities. It stresses hands-on activities that allow for creativity. The facility features a car fix-it area, a bakery, a grocery store, wooden structures kids can play in, and more. There is also an art room that engages children in a variety of projects.

The space covers 1,500 square feet.

“My kids were my biggest inspiration” for starting the business, said owner Traci Montanino. She has two children, ages 11 and 2.

She said she had been considering the idea for a while and as her children grew older. It was her observation during those years that “the industry had not changed at all. There was nothing available for good old-fashioned imaginative play.”

Japanese Steakhouse In Congress Plaza Offers A Variety Of Steaks, As Well As Asian Cuisine

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

The chef at Kin Jo Japanese Steakhouse cooks in front of customers at the new eatery located in Congress Plaza in Saratoga Springs.

By Maureen Werther

Kin Jo Japanese Steakhouse, 68 Congress St., Saratoga Springs, is the third restaurant for owner Allen Dong. But, it is his first venture in Saratoga Springs.

For Dong, who owns two other Japanese restaurants in Albany, he is very excited about operating a business in Saratoga, located in Congress Plaza.

“Saratoga has so much to offer, with the racetrack, SPAC and the Spa State Park. I think it is a very good place to open a restaurant,” said Dong.

Kin Jo opened its doors on July 12, after extensive renovations to the property. Renovations took approximately eight months to complete.

Sage Wine & Spirits Owner Enjoys Educating Customers About Locally Produced Products

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Jes Rich is the owner of Sage Wine & Spirits on Front Street in Ballston Spa.

By Maureen Werther

Jes Rich chose the name of her new shop wisely. Sage Wine & Spirits, which opened at 55 Front St. in Ballston Spa in July, is all about helping people learn more about wine and spirits.

With a focus on sustainable, local, organic and craft products, Rich feels the village of Ballston Spa is “ripe for this kind of boutique business,” and she is excited to share her knowledge with customers as they expand their palates and try locally produced wines and spirits.

Rich is encouraged by the reception she has already received from other shop owners, customers and local residents, calling the village “a wonderful community.”

Rich has an eclectic background and is something of a “sage.” Originally from the area, she moved away to attend college, receiving her undergraduate degree in sociology from Amherst College in Massachusetts. From there, she went on to receive masters degrees from University of Chicago, Tufts, and the University of Sterling in Scotland.

In between her academic studies, she worked in the fields of college administration and resident life, as well as gaining knowledge and experience in horticulture and sustainable practices while working on organic farms around the country.

After returning to school once more, this time enrolled in the doctoral program at Tufts, she decided that the world of academia was not for her and, in the spring of 2014, she returned to her roots.

Manufacturing Plant In Mechanicville Is Set To Expand By 10,000 SF, Add Nine More Jobs

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Rajat Ghoshal of Polyset says the company plans to expand its warehouse space.

By Maureen Werther

Polyset, a designer and manufacturer of protective coatings, resins and filtration adhesives, is preparing to expand its operations in the coming year.

A manufacturer of polyurethane adhesives, elastomers and foam systems for the air filtration industry for more than 30 years, the Mechanicville-based company has continued to diversify and expand its market share over the past three decades.

Under the leadership of its partners and brothers Rajatat and Nil Ghoshal, the company has expanded into other markets. In addition to its strong presence in the air, liquid and water filtration industries, the marine, construction and petro-chemical industries constitute a large and growing share of their business.

The company has been ISO 9001-certified since 2008 and is also a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in New York state.

Business Briefs: September 2016a

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Members of the Women in Business Committee of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County gathered on Aug. 17 for the ninth year in a row to assemble new backpacks filled with school supplies to benefit chamber member Wellspring, formerly Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga.

The committee donated over 100 filled backpacks, thanks to donations from members and the community.

Backpacks of Hope is part of the committee’s charitable initiative, which benefits families who seek the assistance and refuge of Wellspring. As financial hardships only add to the burden of a family facing domestic violence issues, providing a child with a brand new backpack filled with school supplies helps ease that burden at the start of the school year, committee officials said.

The Baskets of Hope program has assembled over 4,000 baskets with personal care items and provided 700 filled backpacks to Saratoga County domestic abuse victims since the program began in 2005.

Donations for women’s personal care items are accepted year-round at the Chamber office, 58 Clifton Country Road, Suite 103 Clifton Park. For further information, contact member services manager Liz Roggenbuck at 371-7748.

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Fall class registration at the Academy for Lifelong Learning (A.L.L.) continues through mid-September.

Thirty-seven classes, including several lecture series run through Nov. 10. Fall term class registration and membership application packets can be found in area libraries, the Academy office at 111 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs or on the website at www.esc.edu/all.

Registration forms are being accepted for open classes through the beginning of the term. Two classes have filled: Great Decisions and Legend, Literature and Mythology in Music. Waiting lists have been started. Call the Academy office for current class availability at 587-2100, ext. 2415.

The classes cover a wide range of genre including: history, art, media, health, religion, writing and economics. Volunteer-led classes typically meet for two hours once a week for eight weeks. Most classes are held in SUNY Empire State College classrooms at 111 and 113 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs, and there are several offerings at a variety of local outdoor venues.

New this term: History of Religious Ethics, Genealogy in the 21st Century, the 2016 Election, Transitions in Life Series, Shakespeare’s Unhappy Comedies, Mind the Gap: Selected Studies of Political & Cultural Conflict in America, Medical Ethics & Controversies, Victorian Novels and Religion, History in Our Capital Region Towns Series, Art Talk: The Language of Art, Behind the Scenes On & Off Broadway, and a one-day Creative Writing seminar.

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Former Prosecutor Settles Into Life As A Beekman Street Antique Store Owner

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Laura Kruegler, a former prosecutor, has opened A Touch of Dust LLC, an antique store in the Beekman Street Arts District in Saratoga Springs.

BY Molly Congdon

A Touch of Dust LLC is a new antique store at 30 Beekman St. in Saratoga Springs.

Its owner, Laura Kruegler, is a former prosecutor, having begun her career in the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office in 2001. She stayed through three administrations.

“While there, I specialized in domestic violence and sex crimes,” Kruegler said. “I also prosecuted homicides and other major crimes. I’m sure I handled over 20,000 cases during my time there. The last two years, I prosecuted child abuse and neglect for the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office.”

In April, after 15 years as a public servant, she resigned.

“One of the biggest factors in that decision was the toxicity of the job,” Kruegler said.”Hearing horrid details of child abuse every day is like living an episode of ‘SVU’ every day. It affects your entire life. So, after careful consideration, I decided I would rather not know if aliens exist, and live my future life without that plague.”