Week in Review

The New York Racing Association awarded six scholarships worth $1,000 on Friday, September 4, to eligible college students during NYRA's inaugural College Day at Saratoga Race Course. The lucky winners were: Signe Greenwald-Coffey, student at The College of St. Rose; Krista Robarge , student at St. John Fisher; Becca Kurzweil , student at Union College; James A. Kane, student at  Albany College of Pharmacy; Brian Hegt, student at  SUNY Albany; and Maureen Moore, student at North Country Community College.

The End of a Season

Full fields and brilliant late-summer weather defined the final week at Saratoga, capped by Saturday's historic running of the Woodward Stakes when a (six-week meet) record final-Saturday (Sept. 5)  crowd of 31,171 witnessed the breathtaking, incomparable performance of probable Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

Attendance for the 2009 meet was 854,413, down from 872,627 in 2008, for a daily average of 23,734 compared to 24,240, with one less Giveaway Day in 2009 over 2008.  (*See Note on attendance below.)

On-track handle at Saratoga was $112,005,880, down from $114,563,754 in 2008, for a daily average of $3,111,274 compared to $3,182,327.

All-sources handle (which includes money bet on Saratoga races from simulcast outlets nationwide) was $513,837,237, down from $522,530,643 in 2008, for a daily average of $14,273,257 compared to $14,514,740.

Average betting interests for the meet increased 3.1 percent (8.38 vs. 8.13) and total betting interests increased 4.8 percent (3,058 vs. 2,919) from 2008, with six more races run in 2009 over 2008 (365 vs. 359).  Turf races totaled 164 with 29 taken off the turf, compared to 141 on and 38 off in 2008.

"By any measure, the 2009 Saratoga meet was an overwhelming success," said New York Racing Association President and CEO Charles Hayward.  "Performances on the track were led by a history-making Woodward victory by Rachel Alexandra, and attendance and total wagering far exceeded our expectations.  We thank our customers, our owners, trainers, and jockeys, and our employees for their enthusiasm and participation."

Public Safety Comissioner Prepares for H1N1

 On Tuesday, September 1, 2009 city officials met with a representative of the Saratoga County Public Health Department to discuss the latest health concerns related to the H1N1 flu. The goal of the meeting was to bring Public Safety officials, first responders in particular, up to date on the most current information regarding the H1N1 virus. The meeting also provided the opportunity for Police, Fire and Public Health Officials to become more acquainted with representatives from the agencies that would participate in a public health emergency. Preplanning with other agencies prior to an actual emergency makes for a smoother coordinated effort in an actual emergency. This meeting was the first step in building partnerships amongst agencies that would be involved with H1N1 flu and will continue to expand as necessary. City officials also discussed their plans for continued service should H1N1 become widespread. Preparing the departments for potential new roles, educating employees, and protecting the community in a public health emergency, were topics that were addressed. The department of Public Safety will be working with the Saratoga County Public Health Department, local medical facilities, Saratoga County Emergency Preparation Committee, the New York State Department of Health, the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Saratoga Springs Risk and Safety department in monitoring, educating and planning for the H1N1 flu. Updated information regarding H1N1 flu can be found at the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

NYS Dept of Health website: www.health.state.ny.us and the Saratoga County Public Health Dept website:
 www.saratogacountyny.gov

New York State has also set up a hotline, 1-800-808-1987 where individuals can call with questions about the H1N1 flu.

Saratoga Quarter Dollar

The United States Mint announced on Wednesday, September 9, that the nation will honor Saratoga National Historical Park in New York through its new quarter-dollar coin program. The Saratoga park design will be the 30th to be featured on coins released under the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program, and will be issued in 2015. The United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program is a multi-year initiative authorized by Public Law 110-456 -- the America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008.

Ballston Spa Animal Shelter Approved

On Wednesday, September 8, members of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors approved the contracts for building a new Animal Shelter. The project will cost $5.27 million.
The current county shelter is only 9,000 square feet. The facility holds around 40 dogs and 60 cats per month, which has been a tight squeeze.

The new facility, which will be located across the street from the current shelter, will be a roomy 24,000 square feet. The project will be overseen by Bishop Beaudry Construction. The groundbreaking is set to take place at the end of the month.