Saratoga Thoughts

Here we go as we approach the midpoint of track season:

• I thought that both John Velazquez and Todd Pletcher were running away with the jockey and trainer titles, respectively, however Ramon Dominguez (19 wins) and Javier Castellano (18 wins) are at least arguably within striking distance of Velazquez's 26 wins. My money is still on Velazquez, especially because he teams up with Todd Pletcher so much.  Pletcher seems a lock to win the trainer title, unless something unforseen happens.  His 19 wins is more than double his closest rival Chad Brown, who has 9 wins .  How come Velazquez seems to get his rare losses only when I bet on him?
• I am still addicted to the shakes at the shake shack.  Think the Barney Miller episode with the hash laced brownies.

 
• I've eaten at the mediocre Pacific Grill one too many times. I went there with friends Saturday night and it was just an unsatisfying experience.  Nothing was terribly wrong, just sort of blah.  I saw on the Table Hopping blog that owner Jeff Chen, who also owns Shanghai Grill in Latham, is also opening a new place in the former Filet 7 location off exit 6 of the Northway in Latham.
• Geez those Billy Fucillo commercials with Linda Rice seem a bit awkward, but then again I guess any Billy Fucillo commercial is awkward. 
• Nicole Russo at The Saratogian sure writes a lot of articles during track season, and they are very enjoyable to read.  When reading her articles I often think "is this an AP piece" and then I turn back to the byline and see that she wrote it.  Barbara, are you reading this?  She deserves a raise. 
• I have had a busy summer and missed Kevin Dillon, a star from the HBO series Entourage, attending the opening of Siro's Trattoria a few weeks ago.  As you likely know, Dillon, and his co-star Kevin Connolly, are minority partners in the restaurant venture.  BTW, the Spa City has another connection to Entourage.  Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay, an avid thoroughbred fan and horse owner who is a regular in Saratoga during track season, will apparently be playing himself as the love interest of Ari Gold's wife in upcoming episodes.  BTW, a skinny Turtle seems like a skinny Santa Clause - it just doesn't seem right. You'd have to be a fan to understand that last comment.
• I haven't made a steeplechase race in several years.  The first race on Thursday is usually a steeplechase race, where the horses are racing and jumping over hedges at the same time.  These races can be four minutes or longer, making them an interesting change of pace.  Hopefully I'll make it there this Thursday in time to catch one - they're enjoyable to watch.
• I am enjoying the NBC/Versus broadcasts of the stakes races at Saratoga.  I also saw that ABC showed The Haskell last week.  What's with this sudden network interest in horse racing? Saratoga has never had this much coverage - and I never saw the Haskell on a major network before. I'm guessing the long and short of it is that it's cheap programming.  Whatever the reason I'm happy this great sport is getting more coverage. 
• Finally, I'll congratulate Mike and Liz Phillips of The Cupcake Lab - now known simply as "The Lab" - for receivng approval to serve beer and wine, which allowed them to expand their hours and menu.  The Lab is filling an underserved niche here in Saratoga Springs by offering great food (made from scratch) in a casual, quick, and reasonably priced atmosphere. The Saratogian wrote a nice article on it here. 

Comments

[Rob]

Dan - Did you see the commercial the Saratoga County Chamber put together? Seemed to be pretty low quality and didn't do Saratoga justice.