Finally, the trip I look forward to every year: TOGA!
This year they are celebrating 150 years of racing —- I love knowing that it is the oldest US racetrack and often considered to be the oldest sporting venue in the entire country.
I knew this time around was going to be a bit different since I was working & not vacationing with my family, but I was super happy that my family could come up the same two weeks as me. {hanging out with them on my down days was super wonderful}. My “downtime” from work was spent at the track and with my family — this post is a condensed, picture blog of two wonderful weeks at The SPA.
We arrived at THE SPA Monday afternoon and after bringing my suitcases up to my room (in an awesome house we had on the corner of Caroline St & Circular), we headed to the track — almost immediately I found my dad & sisters 🙂
babes
lexaconna
So I know I’m probably 1/1,000 people that enjoy the taste of The Big Red Spring but I do, I’ve been drinking from it since I can remember & love the taste. When I got there on Monday it wasn’t ‘springing’ and man was I upset! Luckily, they quickly fixed the problem & I got to drink my favorite spring water for the rest of my trip.
Later that night, I went downtown {Caroline St.} with some of the other BA’s (& other people that we know that were in town) to celebrate our first night in Toga.
Let’s just say: Thirteen always leads to an interesting time
{some of the best, most hilarious stories}
Tuesdays are ‘dark days’ meaning that there is no racing — I got to spend the day with my dad & sisters {plus, my aunt and cousin came up from Long Island}. We had an awesome day out at Moreau Lake State Park and then headed into town to grab dinner & walk around the park. I love spending time with my family–they’re weird, crazy, goofy and oh so loving 🙂
Garofalo gals
Of course I bought a new Saratoga sweatshirt and had to get a chai latte from Uncommon Grounds
Wednesday was spent at the track!
After all of the races were over Dad, the girls, Aunt Cindy & Taylor went into the Winner’s Circle and on the finish line and sprinkled Grampy’s ashes.
Lexi put it best in words “Today we sprinkled horse racing’s biggest fan, Grampy, on one of his favorite tracks in Saratoga Springs NY. He is now on the finish line and in the winner’s circle!! He was the kindest funniest person. Always cracking jokes to random strangers and helping Everyone he encountered. The most valuable lesson he taught me was to never look at anyone as if they were above or below me despite their outer appearance or how big their wallet was. Your four pineapple heads miss you soooo much. See you every summer in Saratoga!!”
He’ll forever my guardian angel & I’ll forever be his pineapple head ❤
Later that night I went to dinner at Boca with the fam {the bacon wrapped dates changed my life—to die for} before heading out to the bars to do some promoting.
The next day I finally got me an almond croissant and iced chai at Mrs. London’s with my gal pal Hal.
This is a MUST EAT, the croissants are the bomb diggity!
Thursday night we “activated” at The Parting Glass, Saratoga’s original Irish pub, & my goofball sisters (& dad) finally got to come see the bus.
On Friday, ABR hosted VIPs at the Carousel Restaurant for a day at the races. I don’t think seeing new fans ‘getting into the game’ will ever get old, it’s awesome.
Here are some of the blogs they wrote about their experience:
Saratoga 150 by Stephanie Koval
A Day At The Races by Adriana Costa
Day Trip to the Saratoga 150 by Kimberly Mufferi
Christine A. Moore Millinery gave the entire ambassador team hats {& fascinators}. Now we can amp up our fashion game on race days — how sweet of her!
After the races I headed downtown to catch the Floral Fete Promenade — the 150th Sesquicentennial parade that was happening downtown on Broadway. All of the floats and carriages were made with beautiful fresh flowers and all of the people were dressed in period attire. Such beautiful flowers and greenery, awesome vintage cars, baby carriages, wagons and more.
Mommy finally got to Saratoga on Friday after two weeks on one of her Medieval trips & I found her after the parade.
GOD, I love these people. BEST FAM EVER.
Nearby, one of the floats broke down and the wonderful couple decided to give away all of the beautiful fresh flowers to passerbys.
Saturday was a special day // It was officially 150 years since the first race was run at Saratoga.
If you’re anything like me & love history, read more about the
history of Saratoga Race Course here.
Stunning Lady Di
los ponies
My adorable pals in their new hats
A few of us were lucky enough to watch the Whitney from one of the boxes close to the finish line —
Hallie, Fern, me & Claire.
This is one of my very favorite Bed & Breakfasts in Saratoga,
the beautiful Union Gables
I spend Saturday night surround my family and some of our best friends enjoying a wonderful dinner at Longfellows.
There are very few places where I would rather spend my Sunday than at the track in the early afternoon, followed by a spectacular day of polo at night. Lucky for me, that is EXACTLY how I spent my first Sunday Funday in Toga.
Pure Bliss.
The Whitney Polo Fields are magnificent, I love going out for the matches {and I love stompin’ the divots}.
Mary Lou Whitney & Susan Lucci
surrounded by some of the polo players
Before I knew it, we had already been in Toga for a week. I “stayed in” Monday day and got lots of work done. Later that night, we headed over to Fasig-Tipton for their 2013 Saratoga sale. Two horses went for over $1 Million dollars, the most expensive, a filly (young, female horse) went for $1,225,000!
Hip #33 in the sales ring All of the ladies at the sale that night
As Monday ritual– we went back to Thirteen {since Tuesday is a dark day lots of the jockeys go out too, so it’s fun to see them all outside of the track atmosphere}.
Tuesday rolled around and once again and I spent the day at the stunning Moreau Lake State Park with my family & some of our wonderful family friends {we’ve both come to Saratoga for vacation for the past 12+ years at the same time — loveee it}
Picture perfect & without a filter!
We all got some super exiciting news while we were up in Saratoga:
I can’t wait to watch the Grade 1 Donn Handicap & the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap air on Sunday, February 9, 2014, from Gulfstream Park.
Wednesday I spent most of the day at the track with poppa Joe. I love spending time at the track with him because we both love it so much. We finally hit a Daily Double and some exactas!
love this man
Later, after the races that night we went to RTCANY Basketball Game — jockeys vs. trainers (& a few industry people)//super funny to watch and what a fun time.
Lucky me got to see my family one last time before they all head back to Georgia. I cannot believe baby Ani is 16 and heading into her Junior year of high school & Lexi is about to go off to college, ahhhh time flies.
Last night with my gals at Uncommon Grounds
Early Thursday morning Chip & I were interviewed on “Racing Across America” and then headed over to see Wise Dan schooling in the paddock in preparation for the Fourstardave.
Horse of the year, Wise Dan, schooling
in the paddock
Friday was full of horses, computer work, rain and ABR promoting!
Saturday was Fourstardave Day!
We hosted another group of VIPs at the track. They were all so wonderful 🙂
Check out their blogs:
Saturday at Saratoga by Krista Robertson
Backyard Entertainment: Saratoga Race Course by Emily Connor
At The Races by Jessica Shia
#AmericasBestRacing by Ciara Austin
Sunday we attended the Jockey Club Round Table Conference.
It was so wonderful to show off the bus and all of our efforts to everyone, especially these people who have been so supportive of our initiative. It was an honor to take part in the meeting and really made me super excited about the future of horse racing.
Afterwards, we grabbed lunch, went out to the track, watched a few races and then I went over to the Whitney Polo Fields with Hallie, Karina, Jose & Slouse to enjoy a beautiful Sunday match.
After polo we headed downtown for some EPIC Hattie’s fried chicken and did some shopping. This was followed by some late night porch sittin’ and talking. It was a wonderful last night in my favorite place with wonderful people.
For my last morning in Toga I took a stroll downtown on Broadway & headed over to Uncommon Grounds {one last time} to get a bagel and Italian soda for breakfast —-before we hopped back on the ABRV and headed to Chicago.
Broadway Eating breakfast on the porch
To top all that off, my last week in Saratoga was super emotional: my sweet pup, Lassie, had to be put down 😦 he had a wonderful life & I’m glad that he’s not in pain anymore, but losing a family pet isn’t easy 😦
Despite that sad news: my best friend Bridget & her hubs finally announced that they are expecting — Baby Caldwell is expected to arrive February 24th {my momma’s birthday}! and one of my Zeta littles, Lizzy, is engaged. I’m so happy for them all 🙂
NEXT STOP: Chicago//The Windy City//Chi-Town for the Arlington Million
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