SEASON ENDS
Fans turn out for one more day at The Spa
SARATOGASPRINGS, N.Y. » Locals and seasonal visitors spent the unofficial end of summer at The Spa on Monday, Labor Day, getting their final bets in before the end of the 2018 Saratoga Race Course meet.
The six-week season ended after the last race on Monday, but before then horseracing fans spent their last day of summer soaking in the track atmosphere one last time for the year.
The New York Racing Association offered several special activities for the occasion, part of
Fan Appreciation Week, including photo opportunities with the new Triple Crown trophy, a fundraiser for the U. S. Marine
Corps Reserve Toys for Tots holiday toy campaign and the last Berkshire Bank Family Monday at the Coca- Cola Saratoga Pavil- ion, where kids were given a free drawstring bag filled with school supplies for when they head back to school later this week.
For many track-goers who attend Saratoga Race Course daily during the summer season, the close of track season means finding a new routine, one that may include heading down to the Belmont Park for the fall meet that starts later this week.
For other locals, it simply means that summer, and the rush that comes with racing season, is now over.
The Gilmore family, who visited the historic Saratoga Race Course about six times during this year’s meet, spent one more day watching the races together on Monday.
Usually Steve Gilmore comes a lot more, “but I think the heat had a lot to do with it,” he said on Monday, which was hot and humid too.
Furthermore, “I haven’t been winning,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t think I’ve had a winning day.”
Nevertheless, Gilmore enjoys being a part of the tradition. He grew up in the Spa City, on Caroline Street, and can recall hearing the race announcer from his backyard as a child. “Cappy Capossela, that was his name,” Gilmore said. “So I kind of have the thoroughbred blood in me, I think.”
Kevin Gilmore, Steve’s son, also said he likes being at the track win or lose. “I like the close proximity you get to the horses and the trainers,” he said. “The scenery is nice and they mix it up where you can see entertainment in between the races.”
Sometimes Kevin brings his kids to the track as well, making it a threegeneration family tradition for the Gilmores. “They like it too,” he said. “I love bringing my kids up here. They like going out in The Paddock, seeing the horses up close.”
Whi le the coming months should be relatively quiet at Saratoga Race Course, NYRA is already planning for the 2019 meet. The organization it will formally break ground on the 1863 Club, the official name of the new permanent building to be located at the site of the current At the Rail tent, on Tuesday. The name recognizes the year of the first organized thoroughbred race meeting in Saratoga, which took place over the course of four days in August 1863.
“Following this year’s introduction of The Stretch in the Grandstand, we are excited to announce plans for the 1863 Club which will be located at the end of the Clubhouse and will add another chapter to the enhanced guest experience at Saratoga. The three- story, air- conditioned building will provide new and different options for guests, including a banquet area on the first floor and a bar and dining club on the second level, which will be connected to the Clubhouse via a walkway. The third floor will feature true luxury boxes offering outstanding sight lines of the entire track,” NYRA CEO and president Chris Kay said in a press release. “The 1863 Club, named after our first racing meet in Saratoga, continues our commitment to providing racing fans with upgraded amenities while honoring the look and feel of this historic venue.”
The 1863 Club will replace the seasonal tent and trailers located immediately adjacent to the end of the Clubhouse with a 36,000-square foot, three- story, climate- controlled building featuring differentiated hospitality options and modern amenities. In addition to the three floors of usable space for guests, a basement level will provide space for a fully appointed kitchen to service the building.
Fans interested in being a part of the inaugural season at the 1863 Club are invited to contact the NYRA Sales Office by phone at (518) 693-7655 or online at NYRA.com/1863Club.