Rain brought flooding to parts of Saratoga County Sunday. WRGB reports in Round Lake, flooding caused Route 9 to close. NYSEG is saying over 3,000 were without power Sunday evening. Those near Malta and Ballston Lake were affected with NYSEG saying 97 percent lost power there.
The Passing Of Funny Cide
The champion thoroughbred racehorse Funny Cide, winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, has passed away. He was 23 years old. WTEN reports nicknamed “The Gutsy Gelding”, Funny Cide was the first horse bred in New York to win the Kentucky Derby. He also was only the 30th horse in history to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown.
Secretariat Statue Unveiled In Saratoga
A new statue of the famous racehorse Secretariat, also known as Big Red, was unveiled at the opening day of the Saratoga Race Course. WRGB reports artist Jocelyn Russell is responsible for the 21-foot long, 3,800-pound bronze statue that debuted in Saratoga Springs, but will not live there for long. The statue will remain at the race course until the Whitney Stakes, traditionally held at the beginning of August.
Severe Storms Cause Power Outages Around The Region
Thousands around the Capital Region were without power Thursday night after severe storms swept through the area. Columbia County was the hardest hit region with over 3,000 without power at its peak. You can keep track of outages and restoration efforts on the National Grid outage map.
Opening Arguments Scheduled Thursday In Deadly Drunk Driving Case
Opening arguments are set to begin Thursday in the murder trial against Justin Rodriguez. WNYT reports Rodriguez is accused of killing tow truck driver Alex Bleickhardt on the Northway in Wilton last September. Prosecutors say he was drunk when he crashed into Bleickhardt who was helping a disabled vehicle.
Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation Holds Awards Dinner
The Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation held its twenty-third annual community service awards dinner on June 7, awarding scholarships totaling $85,000 to fifteen local graduating seniors. Awards ranged from $2,500 to the $20,000 Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs Presidential Scholarship. The Foundation also honored Double H Ranch – which provides specialized program and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses – for their contributions to the community.
The Track Is Back
The track is back. Thoroughbred fans turned out in large numbers Thursday for the return of racing in Saratoga. It begins 40 days of equine excitement that officials say is unparalleled in any other parimutuel paradise anywhere else in the country.
Body Pulled From Hudson River In Troy
A body pulled from the Hudson River in Troy on Wednesday. Police said the body was found near Madison Pier around 1 p.m. WTEN reports police are still in the early stages of the investigation. They said they do not know the victim’s identity or how the person ended up in the river.
Opening Arguments Set In Deadly Northway Crash Trial
A jury has been seated, and opening arguments are set to begin Thursday in the murder trial against Justin Rodriguez. According to WNYT, Rodriguez is accused of killing tow truck driver Alex Bleickhardt on the Northway in Wilton last September. Prosecutors say he was drunk when he crashed into Bleickhardt who was helping a disabled vehicle.
Track Opens For 155th Racing Season Thursday
The Saratoga Race Course opens for the 2023 season on Thursday. This is the 155th racing season at the track. The theme of the season is “Celebrate Saratoga.” WNYT reports there will be a big opening day celebration on Thursday night on Broadway. It begins at 6 p.m. near Division Street. There will also be a second set of entertainment near the parking garage by Flat Rock Park.