Saratoga’s Grand Summer #4
By Dick Healy

Saratoga Springs has never looked better. What with flowers displays lining the boulevards coming into town, sidewalk restaurants packed with diners, visitors strolling through historic Congress Park with its famous Canfield Casino (now a museum and used for special occasions), and dozens of brightly painted life-size sculptured horses at various locations about town. A project sponsored by the Saratoga County Arts Council now in its fifth year. Called “Horses, Saratoga Style,” the sculptured equine creations represent the work of 33 selected artists. They made a terrific backdrop for visiting Saratoga camera buffs.

Of course The 138th Travers Stakes will run August 26 and leading up to that “Mid Summer Derby” is the 12th-annual Travers Festival. The nine day stretch will feature 40 special events such as concerts, various galas, and other social functions designed to help support fund raiser for local non-profit organizations.

One of the Travers Festival highlights is The Seventh Annual Travers Celebration at Saratoga Race Course, Aug. 23 a premier gala and the only evening event held at the track. The event will honor 2006 Travers champion Bernardini and his winning connections: owner Darley Stable, trainer, Thomas Albertrain and jockey Javier Castellano.

The Celebration, at 7:30 p. m. will benefit the Backstretch Employee Service Team and the Double H. Ranch for critically and chronically ill children. The late Charles Wood and actor Paul Newman started the ranch that operates year round. Tickets are $300 per person and $3,000 for a preferred table of 10. You can call 518-584-6200, Ext. 4233 for more information.

If you’re at the Race Course earlier in the day, you’ll be able to watch the Ninth Annual Saratoga Fashion Show that takes place at 11:30 a. m. It will also feature an elaborate lunch buffet and a silent auction. Runway models will be dressed in the latest designs and millinery wear from Saratoga Truck and dazzling jewels from Northeastern Fine Jewelry. The Fashion Show will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capitol region.