CELEBRATING THE START
Racing season begins, drawing thousands to the track
The horses are running in Saratoga and the social season has officially kicked into high gear.
As ten of thousands of fans descended on the track this Friday, Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson hosted their annual luncheon to kickoff of another season of world class racing in Saratoga. The atmosphere was upbeat and celebratory and mercifully cool, under the tent At the Rail Pavilion where guests arrived dressed to the nines.
Mrs. Whitney looked spectacular in a yellow dress and matching hat, accented with a perfect strand of pearls with Mr. Hendrickson sporting a classic seersucker suit and blue tie. They greeted friends and chatted with a room that felt like the Who’s Who of Saratoga, as guests eagerly waited for the sound of the bugle and first race to go off. Virginia Kraft Payson looked lovely in pink and was happy to be in town for the meet and eager to see her horse run, enjoying the afternoon with her husband David Cole.
Neil and Jane Golub were in attendance, as were Maureen Lewi, Mike and Marlene Okby, Lucy Tower and Jane Wait, Mike and Linda Toohey, Charles Wait, and Charlies Wait Jr with his wife Natalie.
Mrs. Whitney and her daughter Heather Mabee had a laugh as they both arrived to the luncheon coincidently wearing nearly the exact same shade of yellow and matching perfectly. Heather was also thrilled to have her sister Cornelia in town, who was visiting with her husband Toby from Santa Fe and taking in opening day with her family.
Also enjoying the luncheon were Robert and Blythe Clay, owners of Three Chimneys Farm, Marcia White and Bill and Susan Dake, Charlene Wood and Jim Paratore, as well as politicos Mayor Joanne Yepsen, Commissioner Michele Madigan and Congressman Paul Tonko. Mike Toohey, Brien and Joe Dalton were chatting and enjoying a cold drink on the warm afternoon, while nearby Cindy Hollowood was sitting with their beautiful daughter Colleen.
Julie Bonacio was looking radiant in a white halter dress and caught up with Michele Riggi, in a flowing blue and white caftan and matching fascinator and Patty Riggi in a classic pink and green sleeveless Lilly Pulitzer dress, with husbands Sonny, Ron and Vince nearby.
Guests enjoyed a buffet with everything from filet mignon, to several cold salads and delicious desserts like red velvet cake pops. Ray Martin and his lovely daughter chatted with Tim Mabee, while Angelo and Kate Calbone, Harvey and Cassie Fox, Nancy and Mike Ingersol and Field Horne were all enjoying themselves.
A near perfect opening day was complete with big win over the weekend, when Mrs. Whitney’s horse Bird Song took home a victory and she and Mr. Hendrickson were welcomed into the winner’s circle to thunderous applause from their hometown crowd.