Category Archives: Business News

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.

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’ 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.

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

©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

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.

Elizabeth Sobol is the president and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center as of Oct. 1

Courtesy Dario Cantatore

Elizabeth Sobol, a veteran of the music and recording industry, is the new president and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, beginning Oct. 1.

She replaces Marcia White, who held those positions for the past 11 years and who decided earlier in the year to step down at the end of the 2016 season, the 50th anniversary for the renowned performance venue.

Sobol has a three-year contract that was finalized in August, SPAC officials said.

White came into the position with no experience in arts administration but with ties to the community through her previous career as a political staffer. During her tenure, the organization reconstituted its board of directors and operated in the black every year.

The staff at Ferraro, Amodio and Zarecki CPAs in Saratoga Springs focuses its tax expertise in the field of forensics accounting, including fraud and financial investigations.

©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Steve Ferraro said people who call his accounting firm during tax season will not find basic tax preparation services.

Instead, in calling Ferraro, Amodio and Zarecki CPAs, they will have contacted an office that has focused its tax expertise in a different direction–forensics accounting.

Ferraro said the specialized service his firm provides is not only greatly utilized, keeping him and his partners more than busy, but one that is exciting as well.

Ferraro and his partners, Charles Amodio and Paul Zarecki, are all certified public accountants that specialize in fraud and financial investigations. The firm opened an office at 18 Division St., Suite 413, in Saratoga Springs earlier this summer. Ferraro said the location was an obvious win for both he and his colleagues.