Fun in Saratoga

NYRA still has my money

Back in March, I sent NYRA a large check (I don’t have the exact amount available right now) for my track seats.  Considering it’s the digital age, they have a rather archaic system for allotting seats.  To get seats you send in a slip of paper (This year it had to be postmarked by March 21) with your wish list of seats, and many months later (basically in this case about 2 weeks before track season) you get a package of tickets.  If you check a certain box on the request form and your requested seats aren’t available,  NYRA  gives  you the “best seats available”, so if you ask for Clubhouse seats but they don’t have them, they’ll give you Grandstand seats instead and eventually refund  you the difference in price.  They will also eventually refund you for any tickets they can’t sell you.  Case in point:  I asked for Travers Day tickets,  but I apparently didn’t make the cut (maybe they read this blog)  so they owe me a full refund for that request as well. 

I mentioned that they will “eventually” refund the money they owe, but even though they cashed  my check in March, they still haven’t given me any money back.  By the way, the amount I am owed  is $480.00 –  not a small chunk of change.  So they have had my money for 4+ months, and they still have it.  I called NYRA to inquire about my refund, and when I finally got someone who could give me an answer, the only thing I was told was that “it was sent over to accounting for processing and we think we’ll get the checks out in a couple of weeks.”

Before I even address the fact that they will have held my money for four and a half months, I have to say I am skeptical that they will get me my check anytime soon.  I mentioned that NYRA uses an archaic system, but it is quite lucrative for them considering all the interest they must be earning.  I am having fun at the track, but is it too much to ask to get my refund in a timely manner?

Camp Saratoga 5K and PJ's Barbecue

Well, the Saratoga Season starts tomorrow and that of course is great.  It came so fast - I can't believe summer is really half over.  Hope to see everyone this weekend.

I ran a 5K along a trail at the Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park's Camp Saratoga last Monday.  It was easily the most rugged 5K I ever ran - but it was also the best.  It was really challenging with all the roots, mud, and most significantly the steep hills.  I enjoyed it and they had a little party afterwards, of which I posted a picture of below.

This is a great run, and if you're a local runner then I encourage you to go to one of the upcoming races  (July 28, August 4, and August 18th).  Don't worry if you're not in top shape - there were people with times well into the 40 minute plus range, so the words "fun run" definitely applied.   You can find more information about them here.

The next night I went with a few friend to PJ's Barbecue on Route 9 off of exit 13.  The barbecue is always great there, but Tuesdays are extra special there because Tuesday's are "Classic Car Bar-B-Cruis-in" dates, where, on a clear evening, the lot is loaded with classic cars from the 30's right up to the early 70's.  I say a "clear" evening because at the first sign of a cloud these guys, who I'm convinced love their cars more than their kids, are hightailing it for the garage and the lot is empty.  Check out some of these great machines from a bygone era below:

 

Like I said, PJ's is always fun and the owner, AKA "PJ the DJ", spends his night spinning great 50s tunes from his DJ booth (pictured below) and his days cooking up great barbecue.  If you are free any night of the week, but especially on Tuesday evenings, stop at PJ's for some great food or at least a loganberry.  Also, if you do make it on a Tuesday evening, don't forget to check out the 50s house.

 

Cupcakes, Pizza and dogs, oh my!

If you're not reading Steve Barnes' Times Union Table Hopping blog, then you're missing out.  He has a lot of entries focusing on Saratoga area restaurants and other interesting pieces about capital region eateries.  One of his latest posts is an entry about the long awaited pizzeria on Broadway and, more interestingly, about the recent opening of Spa City Cupcakes up the streeet from there.  Often, as in the case of this referenced entry, the comments on that blog are just as interesting as the original entry. 

We have a store for just doggie treats, a store for just cupcakes, this store, that store.  OK, it's a bit much, but don't think I won't be checking out that cupcake store sometime soon. 

Saratoga Restaurant and Hotel information

Steve Barnes of the Times Union has been paying extra-close attention to Saratoga restaurant information this week.  There are three recent posts on his Table Hopping blog regarding Saratoga restaurants that you may find interesting.  One is regarding a new restaurant opening at the Fish Creek Marina, another is about The Lodge reopening, and the third is about Bruno's having a new owner and is open.  Also, "The Buzz Business News" blog is reporting that the new Hampton Inn Hotel & Suites will open Monday.  Finally, this pizza place on Broadway better have damn good pie for all the signs, blog entries, and news articles I have been reading on it.  Kind of a ridiculous amount of hype for a pizzeria that hasn't served one slice yet - I guess that's what 3 years of unmet promises will bring.

Saratoga Race Course major network Television schedule

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm sooo looking forward to track season.  Leave it to NYRA to dampen my enthusiasm - just a bit perhaps - but things like this disappoint me. 

Let me explain.  One of the things I like doing is taping the stakes races when they are on the major networks such as ABC and ESPN.  They really do a good job showcasing the city and the track, and I see camera views and hear opinions I am not normally exposed to.  I certainly like hearing Jerry Bailey's commentary, and even though I already know what happened at the race, because I was there, I still enjoy watching the TV coverage of it afterwards.  It's also fun for my friends and family that couldn't make it that weekend (because many live in Buffalo or other places) to watch it on TV - it gives them a connection to me as well as Saratoga at the time. 

So, like a kid before Christmas, I'm getting excited.  I want to know all the details about everything, so when I started to think about the television schedule, I went to where I figured the information should be - the NYRA web site.  Well, you know where this story is going, but stay with me so I can vent just a little then pass along some information. 

Sure enough, I hit the site, and I go to the Saratoga link.  The anticipation builds (hey I never claimed to have a great life). I'm on the Saratoga page and, well, lets just say I'm starting to get underwhelmed because the last news item is from more than two weeks ago (June 25th).  I go to the bar down the left side, here I am at the "Broadcast" subheading, yes, getting closer... now the "television/radio" link. Yes, here I am (click), and.....drumroll please....

"September 2007 NYRA broadcast schedule".  

Uhhhhhhh.  Downer. 

Come on NYRA, the Saratoga season is almost here, it's been 2008 for several months. We need just a little updating.  Please? 

So anyways, I searched diligently (OK, about 4 seconds on Google) and found the National Thoroughbred Racing Association site page which lists the TV schedule for thoroughbred races.  According to that site, the major networks will televise at Saratoga three times during the 2008 meet:

1. The four Stakes Races on July 26 will be televised on ABC starting at 4pm.
2. The Test stakes will be televised on ESPN on August 2 at 5pm.
3. The Travers stakes and two other stakes races will be televised on ESPN on August 23rd. 

Of course, there will be many other races televised on HRTV and TVG, but I was more interested in the major networks' telecasts.  On a related note, The Times Union Talking Horses blog has a recent post lauding ESPN's efforts televising horse racing. 

Well, the point of this post was to list for you the major TV networks telecasts at Saratoga this year, but I would have much preferred to simply link you to the NYRA site and not have a story to tell. 

Track Season is coming! Can you feel it?

You can feel the buzz in the air - so many people are getting excited for track season.  No one, however, is getting more exciting than me!  I can't wait, and I am planning on so many big and little things for the best six weeks in the Capital District.  I have many family members and friends visiting me each weekend - funny how they suddenly remember my phone number each July. 

I just registered for the Silks and Satins 5K road race.  It starts at East Avenue and George Street on July 26th, but I have no idea where it goes from there.  Ask me 3.1 miles later that Saturday morning and I'll tell you.

View Larger Map

I was also just checking the list out for the Hats off Music Festival held Friday night July 25th and Saturday night July 26th.  The selection of bands this year is fantastic, and I'll be torn as to which ones to go see.  There is always The Tequila Mockingbirds, a great local band, but I can see them in Saratoga often (sorry George) so I will check out some of the others like the really good band Slick Fitty - as the Chamber web site aptly describes, "Slick Fitty is a band that does "50’s & 60’s cover songs, 50’s & 60’s inspired originals, “Hot Rodded,” for all generations to enjoy. Music of yesterday with an awesome modern sound."  Good description, but the Chamber made an error when describing Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers as an "a-capella" group.  Well, if their name didn't give that error away, the pictures below of Captain Squeeze should make it clear.  Think a loud, upbeat and fast New Orleans sound that will put you in a good mood.  Got it?

There are other great bands to check out, including Bluz House Rockers ("BHR music is a mix of hand-selected classic rock, blues and funk. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes!"), Sensemaya ("Sensemaya fuses hot Latin dance rhythms with the cool sophistication of jazz improvisation").  There are a few others that are excellent as well, but the bands I listed above reflect my taste, so please don't be offended if I didn't list a band you like.  In fact feel free to comment below and mention who you like and why.   Also, Sirsy  is another band worth checking out. See you in Saratoga on July 23rd!  And 25th! And 26th! And, well, you get the idea.

 

Lanci's

I had dinner at Lanci's with a few friends earlier this week. We wanted to get there before it closed because none of us had ever been there before.  It was a nice experience - the owner's kids, who waited on us, were great and very personable.  I won't say I was blown away by the food, but it was very good and the atmosphere and enthusiastic service enhanced the experience.  Remember, as reported on The Saratoga Seen blog, Lanci's is closing after track season, so if you're planning on going you better get moving because September will come in a hurry.