Staying safe, upbeat on odd opening day

Horse racing fans find new places to watch races with spectators shut out of track

It’s been an interesting few weeks for Charlie Hoertkorn.

As the owner of the Horseshoe Inn Bar and Grill scrambled to get his restaurant ready in time for the Saratoga

Race Course’s opening day, the big job was expanding the outdoor patio. “I purchased more picnic tables, I took down the TV in my office and mounted it on a tree,” Hoertkorn said. “It’s a little different, a little eerie this year . ... We are making the best of a bad situation.”

That might be the motto of this year’s track season. It’s the first year in the 150-year-plus history of Saratoga Race Course in which fans have been banned from the flat track due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced countless

cancellations of large group gatherings including pro sporting events and concerts nationwide.

But with the horses still running, fans have been encouraged to stay home and watch the action on TV.

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is promoting other options that some took advantage of on Thurs

day: attend a watch party at one of the 25 city bars and restaurants, like the Horseshoe Inn.

Masks and social distancing are required. “Each location is following all required protocols, which means they are doing everything being asked and recommended to ensure safety and to control the spread of the virus,” Chamber President Todd Shimkus said.

Many of the places visited by the Times Union appeared to be adhering to the protocols, with screening between tables spread six feet apart, as well as security guards monitoring diners, reminding them to wear their masks to enter the restaurant and whenever they leave their table.

Caroline Sgorrano and Carol Sutter, who are usually working at the track, were among those who came out to the Horseshoe Inn’s watch party. Both said they would rather be on the other side of the gate, which is just across the street.

“This is nostalgic and bittersweet for us,” said Sgorrano of South Glens Falls. “We should be across the road at work. ... Working at the track is like going to summer camp: We don’t see each other all winter; when we say goodbye in September, we say we will see each other in July. It’s a little sad.”

Sutter agreed. “It’s very different this year,” the Saratoga woman said. “We won’t be able to see our friends, but we are happy to be here today.”

Dave O’rourke, CEO of the New York Racing Association, joined a watch party at Racing City Brewing Company with local elected officials and business leaders. He said the parties are a good idea and give fans a “glimmer of light.”

“The races are on, people are having a good time,” O’rourke said. “You would check out places you might not have checked out. It’s cool.”

He admitted that the season is frustrating for fans and difficult for NYRA, which anticipates running in the red this year.

“We’ve been profitable for six or seven years in a row,” O’rourke said. “Obviously, we won’t be profitable this year . ... Rather than be specific on numbers, we have generated a reserve that will get us through this. But the business can only survive for so long. The hope is next year we go back to something that resembles normal.”

State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-round Lake, was at the Racing City shindig. She remains hopeful that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo will allow a limited number of fans into the track as the season progresses as long as the health metrics remain positive.

Meanwhile, Woerner likes the idea of the watch parties: “It helps support businesses that struggled through a long winter and give us a sense of community and fun,” she said.

The city’s Commissioner of Public Safety Robin Dalton said she knows the bars and restaurants have worked hard to ensure that public health protocols are observed. She also said the handling of opening day outside the track will set the tone for the rest of the summer.

“We have a lot to prove this weekend,” Dalton said. “We have so much on the line. This is a moment to show we can handle the track opening (and) we can handle bars, restaurants being open during the races and show that we can be safe and responsible and continue to move forward and keep our public health intact.”

NYRA’S O’rourke wants that, too.

“This is tough on the track; this is tough on everybody,” he said. “Let’s enjoy what we can and do it as safe as possible so we can come back next year.”

Skip Dickstein / Special to the Times Union The view at Saratoga Race Course had to look odd even to the horses as they took off for the first race of the meet on Thursday. Save for a few people who work with the horses and other essential personnel, the grandstands at the venerable track were empty.

Paul Buckowski / times union race fans watch the first race at Saratoga race Course on a large-screen television at the Horseshoe inn Bar and Grill, just across from the track, on thursday. the Horseshoe inn is one of 25 city bars who were holding watch parties on the opening day of racing.

Paul Buckowski / times union friends Carol Sutter, left, of Saratoga Springs, and Caroline Sgorrano, of South Glens falls, talk about Saratoga race Course as they met up at the Horseshoe inn Bar and Grill.

Paul Buckowski / times union nyra Ceo dave o’rourke, background center, visits with Saratoga Springs city officials at racing City Brewing Company on thursday, the first day of racing at Saratoga.

Skip dickstein / Special to the times union the lower level of the clubhouse is uncharacteristically quiet on thursday’s opening day at Saratoga race Course.