Fun in Saratoga

Fasig Tipton Sale catalog available

If you have $400,000 laying around and would like to purchase a "dark bay or brown" filly yearling thoroughbred, then you should check out the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Catalog and mark down your schedule for early August.  If you have never been to the Fasig-Tipton yearling auction sales here in Saratoga Springs, then I suggest you plan on going even if you don't have any money or only have a mild interest in thoroughbreds - it's simply fun.  The auction itself is amazing, and the back part of the Fasig-Tipton facility on East Avenue is a party where you can order drinks and food and watch dozens upon dozens of horses get prepped for auction.  The main yearling sale, which has had Arab Sheiks in attendance in past years, will be on August 8-9th, 2011.  The New York bred sale, which is not quite as involved but is still pretty darn cool will be on August 13-14th.  Don't scratch your nose while your there, otherwise you may be bringing home your new "gray or roan" colt.  In reality, very few people attending the sales are actually bidding, and the auctioneers know who the real players are. For those of us that are simply there for the show, it's still a fun event and it is yet another thing that makes Saratoga Springs unique and special. 

No Fasig-Tipton 5K this year

I reported earlier this week that the Silks and Satins 5K will be held on July 23, 2011.  Last year Fasig-Tipton, the famed thoroughbred auction and sales company with a remodeled facility here on East Avenue in Saratoga Springs, also held a 5K here in the Spa City to raise funds to benefit New York Racing backstretch charities.  I was sorry to hear they decided to discontinue that worthwhile event this year, and presumably in future years as well.   In any event, Saratoga Springs has a number of good running events each year so I guess we're still lucky nonetheless.

Times Union article on NYRA

I am copying a Times Union article on the scrutiny that New York officials have directed towards NYRA.

Silks and Satins 5K to be held July 23, 2011

NOTE: This post below is about the 2011 Silks and Satins.  For the 2012 Silks and Satins, Click here.

I always try to run the Silks and Satins 5K, which is held right near my home and goes through many parts of the East side, ending up near the track on East Avenue.  It's a fun event with lots of people running down Union Avenue, East Avenue, Caroline Street and a few more roadways on the east side.  You can find out more about the Saratoga Springs Silks and Satins 5K by clicking here. 

NYRA rolls out purse incentives for Saratoga meet - Thoroughbred Times

This is sure interesting, and should help increase the amount of horses racing at Saratoga.  NYRA rolls out purse incentives for Saratoga meet - Thoroughbred Times.

Retail watch: Whole Foods plans 1,000 stores

Retail watch: Whole Foods plans 1,000 stores.

Saratoga's version of Cafe Capriccio set to open in the former Dine location on July 4th

The Business Review has the full story here.  Read my entry from March from when Capriccio first announced plans to open on Henry Street.

Walking tours offered by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation to begin Sunday - saratogian.com

Walking tours offered by the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation to begin Sunday - saratogian.com.

Elton John comes to the Capital Region

Elton John comes to the Capital Region.

October Circle Band playing at Bailey's Saturday night

The live music scene in Saratoga is a very great thing - many bars and restaurants bring in talented acts for added entertainment.  Maybe we should bill Saratoga Springs as the Austin of the Northeast - as you may know Austin is known as the live music capital of the world.  I was there once on a Monday night and many bars were packed with excellent bands so the reputation is well deserved.  In any event a band that I saw a few years ago that I thought was excellent is The October Circle.  They are playing Saturday night at Bailey's and I am copying their email notification below:

Happy Summer Fans!!
 
      October Circle will be performing their first show of the 'official' summer this Saturday Night at Bailey's (corner of Phila and Putnam Sts, Saratoga).  We'll be out on the patio, rockin' Camp Bailey like we dun before!!  So grab your dancin' shoes, put on yer goin' out clothes and party like you mean it!!  The show begins at 9 pm.
 
                                                                  Your humble servants of sound,
                                                                              October Circle