Today is the day.
Opening day of the 2017 Saratoga Race Meet at the oldest sporting venue in the United States – the Saratoga Race Course.
There is excitement in the air. All of us who are in the business community have a sense of purpose. We’re on a mission to do our best to welcome the world to Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County, New York!
This year is different. NYRA is once again in private hands.
Two years ago, many bet against us suggesting that state government control over NYRA would never be overturned.
Thankfully, Senator Kathy Marchione and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner understood that government control over the Saratoga Race Course and our state’s Thoroughbred horse racing industry was not ideal, particularly in the long term.
Our Senator and our Assemblywoman led a successful bipartisan effort to reprivatize NYRA as a not-for-profit organization. They won and our community is better as a result of their leadership and diligence to advocate for us.
The new NYRA has a new logo. They are working on a range of capital upgrades to improve the Saratoga Race Course. They are embracing new technologies to attract new fans to the sport.
NYRA continues to partner with our Chamber to attract visitors from key drive markets with cooperative television ads that appear in areas from Boston to Buffalo and Hartford to Syracuse.
Tonight and tomorrow night, we will host our Hat’s Off Festival to attract those going to the track during the day to come downtown at night.
Yesterday, NYRA CEO Chris Kay spoke at our Chamber breakfast with our members to describe what is new and better this year at the Saratoga Race Course.
Early indications from area hotels suggest we’re in for a successful summer season.
We’ve enjoyed a series of ribbon cuttings for new businesses eager to serve those who visit Saratoga this summer.
Now, we just need the weather to cooperate.
For me, our continued success rests with everyone understanding our economy and quality of life is better when our downtown is vibrant AND the race course is successful.
We really need both to win for everyone to do well.
A vibrant downtown and regional economy helps NYRA attract more fans. And, a successful race meet helps attract more visitors to our City and County.
Our advertising campaign for Saratoga County, as an example, rarely is focused on just one local destination.
We use great photos and videos from SPAC, the Saratoga National Historical Park, Saratoga County’s outdoor adventure opportunities on the water and our expanding trail network.
We share stories about local craft beverages, spas, the Saratoga Casino, Saratoga Polo, Shakespeare in the Park, area film festivals, summer programs at Skidmore College, golf courses, natural springs, and the Saratoga County Fair.
We promote hundreds of places to stay, dine, shop, play, and explore across the region every day of the year.
But still, opening day at the Saratoga Race Course is a special day in Saratoga.
Of course, the other 364 aren’t too bad either!
