Marta Glazen of Cleveland, Ohio, won the 19th annual Saratoga Hat Contest, on Sunday, July 25, 2010, in Saratoga Springs. She took first place and won a silver plate trophy, clubhouse lunch for two and a $500 betting voucher.   Marta was a guest at Saratoga Arms and “wowed” all of our breakfast guests when she came down from her room ready to head out to the track.  This is the second year in a row that Marta has won the contest.  Marta is a professional though…She owns a hat shop in Ohio!!

I wrote a few months back about a little horse that ran in Saratoga last summer. The horse’s name is Dublin and he won that race. I also speculated that he would run in the Kentucky Derby, which is being held tomorrow. Dublin is certainly running tomorrow, one in a big field of 20. Well I just checked the current odds and it seems like Dublin will need a bit of the “Luck of the Irish” because he is currently 20-1. Current favorite…Lookin at Lucky. Seems as though there might be a lot of “lucky” running around Churchill Downs tomorrow.

In the early part of last year’s racing season, Kathleen took two Irish girls from Ballybunion, County Kerry, who were working at the hotel for the summer to the races.  They put a sentimental bet on a young horse with good odds named “Dublin” and were handsomely rewarded when the horse won.  At the end of the Saratoga meet, Dublin won the Hopeful Stakes.  Now D. Wayne Lucas is talking about running Dublin in the Kentucky Derby.  I bet Paddy Power will take a few more sentimental bets.

The New York Times, Joe Drape, has confirmed that super filly and Preakness winner, Rachel Alexandra, will race against the boys again the the Woodward Stakes here in Saratoga on Saturday, September 5th.  Saratoga Arms does have limited availability left for that weekend (Labor Day) and would welcome anyone who would like to continue to watch history.  Run like a girl Rachel!!!

 Opening Day and the excitement throughout the city of Saratoga Springs is palpable.  Up and down the crowded sidewalks visitors mingle with townsfolk, darting in and out of shops and restaurants, chatting on the benches, admiring the artistic horse sculptures, and the lush hanging baskets.  Flags are waving proclaiming the arrival of the 141st meet at Saratoga Race Course.  The Daily Racing Form is the preferred reading choice.  The town is hopping and we are ready.

The Smith family and the staff of Saratoga Arms are welcoming back old friends who return year after year to their favorite Saratoga Springs Hotel.  We are confident that first time guests will fast become part of the Saratoga Arms growing circle of regulars.

The Saratoga Arms dining room this morning was abuzz with racing talk and old friends catching up on the events of last year that passed so quickly.  Noel continuus to delight diners with his usual scrumptious breakfasts and Kathleen shares Saratoga news and offers up tips for an enjoyable stay.

Come join us…the Racing Meet only lasts until Labor Day.  The talk in the racing community is that the quality of horses and the racing will be the best ever.  Don’t miss the fun. 

There has been many doings about the date 8/8/08.  Weddings were all the rage for that Friday.  During one of our spring brainstorming sessions about how to market Saratoga Arms in the 8/8/08 hysteria, our Director of Sales and Marketing came up with a brilliant idea…

Saratoga Springs is in the middle of our thoroughbred racing season.  The town is jammed and our rooms are filled.  Our director thought it would be fabulous to buy a racing ticket for each room on 8/8/08, betting the eighth horse in the eighth race.  Great idea!  Wouldn’t you know, after the second race that Friday a torrential thunderstorm with golf ball sized hail rained down on Saratoga and the racetrack.  The rest of that day’s racing was cancelled.

We all wondered if we would have a dining room full of winners on 8/9/08.  We’ll never know.  

Any ideas for 9/9/09? 

Saratoga Springs is a special city well renowned for premier racing during the summer at the nation’s oldest thoroughbred track.  Every citizen and every visitor, in fact every person walking down the street, can tell you what a furlong is, who won the Travers last year and when post time is for the first race (1pm).  The racing season brings special excitement to our city.

 But…winter and the start of the holiday season has its own magical style.  Last night, Thursday, November 29, 2007, the 21st annual Victorian Streetwalk filled the town with residents and visitors prepared to get into the spirit of the holidays.  Normally busy Broadway was closed to traffic for five hours while strollers filled the streets.  Shopkeepers opened their doors welcoming customers with goodies and treats…cookies, hot chocolate, eggnog, chowder, punch, chestnuts and candy kept shoppers coming back for more.  Santa, Mrs. Claus and a few representative reindeer delighted young and old alike at the Santa house in the center of town.  Santa was a busy fellow appearing in various incarnations around the city, while Father Christmas greeted passersby and Sax-o-Claus entertained on his “north pole” saxophone.  Up and down Broadway choirs singing carols and holiday songs, musicians, jugglers on stilts and entertainers of varied talents entertained the crowds.  Our front porch and steps were a natural stage for three different singing groups.  It was a real treat to hear.  Horse drawn sleigh rides and even a fellow riding an ostrich added to the magical spectacle of the Victorian Streetwalk.  Saratoga Arms has the holiday spirit as well.  The wonderful white wicker that graces our front porch during the warmer months has been stored away and replaced with hanging greens, red bows and white lights.  The mantels inside have been decorated to warmly welcome cold and weary guests.How lucky we are to live in and be a part of this great community!