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.