toga story
 

toga article in thoroughbred times.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nat...oric-site.aspx

It's a good move by them. I was surprised when I heard a while ago that the Saratoga Historical Society didn't have control of the property. However, assuming NYRA stays there is nothing to worry about.

Saratoga is very tough. If you live in an historical district you need to submit plans to a planning board for any facade changes you wish to make on your home. Plus, next time you're in town take a look at the sign for the Holiday Inn. It's as small as it is for a reason. They work very hard there to keep the place looking as good as it does.

And I like that. A town like Saratoga Springs could turn into a marketing whore if there weren't restrictions on advertising and signage.

There's an apparent reason for the action...let's pray that isn't a reactive response to something already in the works, anything is possible at this point....Domino's Pizza Racetrack at Saratoga ...I'd rather slit my wrists :eek: :eek:

While the fears are unfounded, because NYRA is going to continue to run racing in NY State, the reporting has been so mediocre that it's understandable that many fear the likes of Capital Play and Empire and what they could attempt to do to the track in Saratoga.

Think of it as a preemptive move.

I went to Sedona, AZ this summer, and it was embarrassing how man can ruin a beautiful place like that. Marketing everywhere you looked, with shops, hotels, and parking lots as far as you can see. Glad that Saratoga makes attempts to keep it historic...

Sedona is a year round destination - Saratoga Springs rolls up the streets 46 weeks of the year...plus most of the property in and around town is land-banked by the purists...you just go two exits north of town on the Thruway for the big box plague ;) ...

Come see the RED rocks that we have :)

You're way underestimating how busy Saratoga is a lot of the year. No, not as busy as August, but still incredibly busy for a small town.

you don't want to see saratoga turn into gettysburg of the 60's and early 70's. it took gettysburg along time to get the laws in place to reclaim the town and battlefield. although the developers are pushing the borders as close as they can.

I thought just that before I started visiting in the off-season prior to buying property there.

Try getting a breakfast downtown on a Sunday morning-any weekend of the year-and you'll be in for a long wait. Despite the Country Corner Cafe opening the new 100 seater place on High Rock in 06 and expanding Church St by 40 covers in 2007-both places have lines to get in by 9am. At the same time Uncommon Grounds-which had a huge expnsion in 07-is totally full and has a line virtually out into the street. Same story at Beverleys, Shirleys and even Comptons.

For starters the town is jam-packed pretty much every weeked of the year. Asides from the 6 weeks of the racing season-there's the 3 weeks of the ballet season and the town has a very strong Chamber of Commerce and large conventions take place virtually all year round in the City Centre-such as the "Dance Flurry" when around 5000 dancers descend on the town during a weekend in mid-February. As well as that events like the "Victorian Walk"-the Thursday after Thanksgiving and "Chowder Fest" in early Feb-atttract thousands into the town.

The Conservation Areas are very well defined-especially around the racetrack. There are a number of Bed and Breakfasts on Union Avenue-from the Union Gables to the ones that are on Union Avenue between the Springwater and the Racing Museum.

They are allowed to have B&B signs and vacany/no vacancy signs etc-but the B&Bs/guesthouses on Nelson Av are strictly forbidden to have any signs outside their establishment.

I've always wondered if that "Arabella at the Track" place with its signs and room for rent sign is breaking the rules-as they surely must be bound by the same rules as Nelson Ave?

Togabrit/ BTW - My apologies, I was trying to compare (very poorly, I would add) the contrast between the 6 weeks during the meet and the balance of the year, and how Sedona is more of a year-round destination. That's not to say that Saratoga isn't a bustling place; it certainly is.

Not apology worthy....I am about to go up for three days and am wondering what the hell I'm going to do to amuse myself.

It's certainly not Sedona but I think a lot of people don't realize that it doesn't die during the rest of the year. 20 or more years ago it pretty much did, but fortunately or unfortunately, it doesn't anymore.

Andy...you are in luck. Toga harness is in full swing right now.

That's not really one of my options......as long as the bars are open.

Expanding your horizons could do you some good.

" I did my time in that Rodeo. "

parting glass has a v.i.p. res for you...no 4 seat at the bar....

I don't spend much time there.....and when I do it's at the bar.

I'll look for you at the The Grey Gelding.....

I was in there a couple of times this Fall.

Abolutely no apologies needed. It is totally full on for 9 weeks-the Ballet rents aren't a lot short of the track rents-and most of the shops/restaurants arenon-stop probably from Memorial Weekend through the end of track season.

The acid test for me is whether I'd think there was enough going on for me to want to move permanently from London. Probably not is the answer. Winters are non-existant here and 2-3 weeks in February was expected but still a bit of a shock to the system! The poor Amtrak service and the seeming lack of progress on the commuter rail service down to Albany is frustrating. However overall quality of life (winter weather aside) is great-especially if you measured it up to another racing town like Newmarket

Try Ozone Park it is beautiful this time of year

I was up there a few weeks ago to scout a basketball game at Spa Catholic.
I didn't want to leave. A few drinks at the Stadium is never a bad thing.

It's nice to go to the Wishing Well without reservations.

No consideration to the Lexington area? Much nicer weather.

well it needs to remain the way it is. saragota is special.
to bad hialeah park can't be saved also.

Many of NYS best places have done a fairly good job of preserving the historical aspect of the area. Like Saratoga, Cooperstown does a fine job of keeping out the billboards and chain restuarants. Lake Placid is still a beautiful place to go as well.

Apologies-I should have made myself clearer. I love Lexington. I've been there many times but as a visitor staying only 4-5 days.

I compared those 2 towns because I've owned homes in both of them. One of them has a very good quality of life, is very well run (regardless of party) and has solid plans to preserve the city but also plan for the future.

In 18 years I never felt that about Newmarket. The centre of the town is a disgrace. Too many people-residents' and non-residents' care enough about Saratoga to make sure that it never ends up like Newmarket.

Andy I came up yesterday to Saratoga and it is picturesque with the snow covering the town.
The bars are open and I sure you will find beautiful people and places to keep you occupied.:) I did dry by Siro’s this morning and it is covered by about a foot of snow but everything else is open.
Joe Grant

I assume this didn't keep you from having a bourbon or two in the backyard.

I would have but my wife was with me:)