Well, it was bound to happen. 1-for-9. It hurts. It hurts a lot. Do I feel any better because the one race that I did hit was hit for a $142 trifecta? A little, but not better enough. I owe one to your wallet. I am also knocking my number of listed horses back down to seven. That way, even if three horses listed scratch, you can still have enough listed for a superfecta, but I don't have to list 400 horses per race. Maidens are still only listed top five because of a lack of data and are listed with a *. Here we go.

Race 1
1) Mabou
2) Nationbuilder
3) Virginia Minstrel
4) Quiet Approval
5) Italian Wedding
6) Sermon of Love
7) Arch Hero

Race 2*
1) Sky Hosoya
2) Tensas Punch
3) R Bling
4) Siren's Step
5) Kisses From Karen

Race 3*
1) Driven by Fear
2) Vision d'Amour
3) High Stakes Player
4) Scuba Diver
5) Z Force

Race 4
1) Lady Alexander
2) Devil by Design
3) Decelerator
4) Unforgiven
5) Southern Accents
6) Perfect for You
7) Worstcasescenario

Race 5*
1) Dyani
2) Remark
3) Ermine Slippers
4) Click Your Heels
5) Somalia

Race 6
1) Unique Ally
2) Rotten to the Core
3) Redwood Fever
4) Dance Floor Maniac
5) Fire the Bullet
6) Awesome Preacher
7) Prince Cody

Race 7*
1) System Ready
2) Peb Hughes
3) Legend of Naverone
4) Rise to Glory
5) Powhatan County

Race 8
1) Lethal Combination
2) Beau Choix
3) Our Douglas
4) Alfarabi
5) Psychic Income
6) Lonesome Street
7) Make a Note

Race 9
1) Who Is Lady
2) Chorus Music
3) Great Gracie Dane
4) Exonerated
5) Two Moons
6) Wild Awake
7) Ketuba

Race 10
1) Devon Rock
2) Karakorum Legend
3) Versailles Road
4) Star of New York
5) Cherokee Speed
6) Ad Infinitum
7) Pegasus Tommy D.


Overall Win Record: 13-39 (33%)

Lock of the Day: 0-4 (0%) Lady Alexander, Race 5

Long Shot of the Day: 0-4 (0%) Lethal Combination, Race 8

Name of the Day: Mugger Hugger, Race 3


I'm off tomorrow, but best of luck at the races today. There will be more picks for Saturday.

We're back from the regularly scheduled Tuesday break from racing. I hope you maximized Monday's selections, as they went 5-for-9, including the last three races in a row for a pick 3 that would have won $701. Let's hope this hot streak keeps up.

(As always, for maiden races I will only put in my top 5 since I have more limited data in some of those races. They will be marked with a *.)

Race 1
1) Steal the Shot
2) Zosogood
3) Hittin the Note
4) Bridledway
5) Fortunate Run
6) Game Token
7) Justin P
8) Heavenly Blaze
9) Reading Group

Race 2*
1) E Street
2) Include the Cat
3) Saint Jen
4) Grosse Pointe Anne
5) Amazing Lauren

Race 3
1) O'Kid
2) Aquino
3) Motown Shuffle
4) Marina market
5) Kiln Creek
6) Not for Money
7) Shryock
8) Saratoga Seven

Race 4
1) Quick Delivery
2) Motion Play
3) Runweiser
4) Nacho Carona
5) Giopi
6) Love and Havoc
7) Cops Fever
8) On Vacation
9) Mischief
10) Overlap
11) Kick Up Your Heels

Race 5
1) Greens and Beans
2) La Belle Gabrielle
3) Great Cliff
4) Money Charger
5) Won Token
6) Sudden Silver
7) Silver Tax
8) Our Lady Liberty
9) Essex Ferry
10) A Girl Named Maria
11) Hunny of a Tour

Race 6*
1) Charmed
2) Truth Will Tell
3) Much Fanfare
4) Conspicious
5) Kiss of Fire

Race 7
1) Don't Fooli Houli
2) King Rock
3) Crowned General
4) Flatter Than Me
5) Count Catamount
6) Cayo Hueso
7) Little Alex
8) Mississippi Hippie
9) Dunvegan
10) Coronation Day

Race 8
1) Bay to Bay
2) Strike It Rich
3) No Explaining
4) Neon Light
5) Khancord Kid
6) Crescenda
7) Caminadora
8) Go Ask Alex
9) Dynazaper
10) Perfect Shirl
11) House of Grace
12) Exclusive Love
13) Kittylicious
14) Ambitoness
15) Queen Hazel

Race 9
1) Ben's Boots
2) Colour the Wind
3) Broken Dreams
4) Speckledbird
5) Always a Party
6) Taconic Victory
7) Tempest Storm
8) Easy Ashley
9) Royal Fortune
10) Crimson Glory
11) Atrea
12) Echt
13) Connie Mac

Overall: 12-29 (41%)

Lock of the Day: 0-3 (0%) Quick Delivery, Race 4

Long Shot of the Day: 0-3 (0%) Motown Shuffle, Race 3

Name of the Day: Broken Dreams, Race 9 (A harsh reality of betting the ponies, but not for us, right?)

Enjoy the track. We'll see you back here tomorrow.

I'm hoping my picks for you today are as good for you as Saturday's were. Saturday saw 5 winners in a row. We started off cold but hit in race 5 when Moonwalk Beauty scratched and moved up Lindsay's Point into the top spot. Lindsay's Point started a string of winners that included: Spa City Fever, Wine Police, Ash Zee, and Devil May Care. We missed the Pick 6 on the last race, but still turned in the second best string of five consecutive races at the track this weekend, behind only Javier Castellano's 5 consecutive wins as a jockey on Sunday. Here are my Monday picks.

Race 1
1) Devilish Due
2) Regal Soul
3) Moon Nistle
4) Show Trial
5) Full Tilt Noogie
6) Always On the Move
7) Fiery Rebel
8) Dontquityourdayjob

Race 2
1) Primed to Be Ready
2) Zippy Larry
3) Taza
4) Flaming Punch
5) Mariah Scary
6) Lorraine in Spain
7) First Flute
8) Lady Apple
9) By the Sky

Race 3
1) Icabad Crane
2) Mighty Morris
3) Ruffino
4) Giant Moon
5) Groomedforvictory
6) Slevin
7) Naughty New Yorker

Race 4*
1) Bird Empire
2) Sweat Shop
3) Avenging
4) Naughty You
5) Mystic Fever

Race 5
1) Diamond Dina
2) Firey Red
3) Queen of the Creek
4) Granted Tiger
5) Sweetest Song
6) Talented Princess
7) Hot Trip
8) Consequence
10) Kid Kate
11) Color Me Up

Race 6*
1) Bernie's Pal
2) Rennina
3) Hennessy Light
4) Boatman's Dream
5) Lady Alma

Race 7
1) Honorable Truth
2) Platinumplus
3) Come From Away
4) It's Not For Love
5) Catty Madeline
6) Mollyisintheclouds
7) Double Dinghy Day
8) Southside Babe
9) Suzee Sunrise
10) Holiday Chills

Race 8
1) Checklist
2) Dr. W
3) Rollers
4) Endless Circle
5) Hamazing Destiny
6) Hull
7) Congor Bay

Race 9*
1) Lamar Valley
2) Evenforever
3) Maloof Magic
4) Pico Dinero
5) Risky Dynamite


Overall Season Average: 7-20 (35%)

Lock of the Day: 0-2 (0%) Diamond Dina Race 5

Long Shot of the Day: 0-1 (0%) Flaming Punch Race 2

Name of the Day: Mariah Scary Race 2

Opening day gave us rain and, as so often happens on rainy days, quite a few upsets. Today the forecast calls for storms early, but the track should be hot and sunny come race time.
Also, I feel like I was holding out on you yesterday. I rank each horse in each race, yet I only gave you my top four. Many races were littered with scratches, and you may have been left without a listed replacement. In the 5th race, I correctly picked the top three finishers in order, but when my 4th horse, Good to Be Me, scratched, you didn't have the opportunity to plug in Ponte Vecchio, who would have filled out your superfecta. Near miss of the day: My 3rd race picks would also have gotten landed a superfecta if they were boxed. That payout came to a cool $4150. (Don't fret, I didn't make that bet either.)
Today will be different. You get them all*. The whole shebang. If one horse has scratched, just move the remaining horses up one spot. The list will be longer, but you'll thank me later. (* getting them all does not include every horse in each maiden race. My ranking system for horses who have little history is more diluted, but I promise at least my top five for the maidens.)

Race 1
1) Winning Ticket
2) Tom Kitten
3) Abilio
4) Mineswept
5) Mr. Vantastic
6) John Wyatt
7) Leatherhead
8) Wishingonadream
9) Mr. Hooker
10) Franklin Delano
11) Thunder Chief

Race 2*
1) D'Sauvage
2) Never Right Joey
3) Bristol Harbour
4) Tall Tale Teller
5) Cousin Frankie

Race 3*
1) Chairman Now
2) Keep Me Informed
3) El Primero
4) Rock America
5) Baatesh

Race 4
1) Missinglisalewis
2) Ad Infinitum
3) Versailles Road
4) Northern Giant
5) Slevin
6) Xodo
7) Cherokee Speed
8) Good Prospect
9) Compliance Officer
10) Bull Hole
11) Strong Commitment
12) Thunder Perfect
13) Thomas Got Even
14) Piazza Di Spagna
15) Rein King
16) Romans Reward

Race 5*
1) Moonwalk Beauty
2) Lindsay's Point
3) Fastish
4) Katlyn Ann
5) Turned to Gold

Race 6
1) Spa City Fever
2) Come Undone
3) Duke of Naples
4) Saginaw
5) Good Karma
6) Dixie Night Out
7) Hammock
8) Hangingbyathread
9) Eire's Run
10) Midnight Billy
11) Alltiffedoff
12) Too Amenable
13) Stormy Success
14) Prince Dubai

Race 7*
1) Wine Police
2) Biddy
3) Goodtimehadbyall
4) Joe Vann
5) Santiva

Race 8
1) Ash Zee
2) Zonga Zing
3) Patience Drive
4) Happy Week
5) Persuading
6) Lady Etienne
7) Cinco De Mayo Mio
8) Spina
9) How Far to Heaven

Race 9
1) Devil May Care
2) Biofuel
3) Connie and Michael
4) Seeking the Title
5) Acting Happy
6) Bahama Bound
7) Lisa's Booby Trap
8) Absinthe Minded

Race 10* (This race is a maiden, but I have extra data on many of the horses participating.)
1) Ae Pit
2) De Price
3) Grand Strategy
4) Equestrio
5) Craven Caden
6) Prospective Union
7) Paperless
8) Deadly Catch
9) Scary Guy

Overall win% this season: 2-10, (20%)

Lock of the Day: 0-1 (0%) - Devil May Care, Race 9: This horse looks like everyone's lock since it opened at 6-5 odds. Devil May Care dominates the rankings though, grabbing 72 of his race's 80 maximum points, while his closest competitor, Biofuel, has 56. This race may not pay well, but you can feel good about the win.

Long Shot of the Day: 0-1 (0%)- Lisa's Booby Trap, LBT hasn't lost a race in its career. 3 for 3. What are the morning line odds for a horse that has never lost a race? 30-1!!! I understand that LBT has not raced against horses of this caliber, but it has shown that it has an eye for the finish line, and it will be hard to bet against LBT when the payoff is so good.

Name of the Day: Absinthe Minded, Lisa's Booby Trap may have a name that will make the schoolboy in you giggle, but it isn't even the best name in the 9th. That honor goes to Absinthe Minded, which is clever enough to get a small bet from me on name credibility alone, even though I have it ranked dead last in the GI Stakes race. Honorable Mention: Chariman Now, Race 3.

Best of luck and enjoy the races.

Today is opening day at the Saratoga Race Track, and I am proud to bring you my first picks of the season. Each horse is run through a formula designed to rank it against its peers in each race. I will give you the top four horses as they are ranked. The goal is to hit the trifecta in each race, so the fourth horse is listed in case one scratches. At the end I'll give my lock of the day and the long shot pick of the day. Good luck!

Race 1
1) Seattle Mission
2) Steal the Shot
3) Leatherhead
4) Mr. Enrico

Race 2
1) Home Rule
2) Holy Place
3) Simply Carina
4) Remark

Race 3
1) Mad For Smarty
2) Bank Merger
3) Bimini
4) Footcandles

Race 4
1) Chef Eric
2) Cozy Lion
3) Morethan Fourhours
4) Sharif Al Medina

Race 5
1) Roderick
2) Whateverittakes
3) City Train
4) Good to Be Me

Race 6
1) Unaccountable
2) African Diamond
3) Stealth Missle
4) Miner Bird

Race 7
1) With the Current
2) Playing Pirates
3) Heavenly Pride
4) Malibu Cougar

Race 8
1) Vinyard Haven
2) Cool Coal Man
3) Discrete Treasure
4) You and I Forever

Race 9
1) Final Mesa
2) Let's Get Fiscal
3) Dos Lunas
4) Show Me the Bling

Race 10
1) Unbridled Fury
2) Adams Circle
3) Hillswitch
4) In Just We Trust

Lock of the Day: Seattle Mission, Race 1
Long Shot Pick of the Day: Unbridled Fury, Race 10
Advice of the day: It is expected to rain at some point tomorrow, and if it does, don't be afraid to bet the longer shots.

Best of luck at the track today. We'll see you tomorrow.

A free football camp is being offered for all kids ages 5 to 13. Blue Streak Football Camp will be put on by Saratoga Varsity football players and certified Pop Warner coaches July 11, 18 and 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at East Side Rec.

Saratoga Pop Warner will also be holding registration during the camps. For more information, please contact Matt Riker at matthew.riker@gmail.com

World-ranked female featherweight Maureen Shea (14-2, 8 KOs) will face rugged veteran Liliana Martinez (8-10, 4 KOs) in a six-round feature fight with regional title implications July 30th at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

The fight, sanctioned by the NABF for a regional 126-lb title, will be featured on Pugnacious Promotions annual "Night of Future Champions" summer fight card during the beginning of racing at the historic Saratoga thoroughbred horse track. Doors to this year’s boxing event will open earlier to showcase some of the area’s best amateur boxers in preliminary bouts supporting the pro fight card.

Shea, 29, first gained notoriety as Hillary Swank’s training partner as the Oscar-winning actress prepared for her role in Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” with trainer Hector Roca at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. Swank not only trained and sparred regularly with Shea, but attended the Bronx native’s amateur bouts in the New York area. A NY fight attraction since that time, Shea is now world-ranked by three championship sanctioning bodies. In her last fight at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx, she defeated overmatched Norma Faris (3-2, 1 KO), Puerto Rico, by third-round TKO.

Martinez, 26, is a native of Dominican Republic and a 10-year veteran of the ring. She has faced a number of world-class women – including world champion Alesia Graf (24-1, 9 KOs), top-ranked Jenna Shiver (11-4, 2 KOs) and Dominican prospect Katy Penelope Hernandez (12-0, 8 KOs) – and challenged Magdelena Dahlen (10-2, 3 KOs) for a European title in November, 2009.

"I am so pleased to finally have Maureen on our card," said Lisa Elovich. “Her reputation precedes her as the ‘real million dollar baby.’ She’s a great addition to our card featuring young local prospects.”

Guilderland lightweight prospect Mike Faragon (11-0, 5 KOs) will face RI’s Eddie Soto (12-1, 4 KOs) in the eight-round main event. Also appearing on the card are Troy light heavyweight and former All-American Shawn Miller (2-1, 1 KO), Delmar lightweight Zach Smith (3-1) and other fighters to be announced. Amateur boxers include Saratoga Springs junior Mike Barcia and super heavyweight Josh Dulmer, plus the rematch of the region’s amateur welterweight bout of the year between Albany’s Amir Iman and Troy’s Ray Velez.

Tickets and VIP tables, including dinner by Brindisi's Restaurant and table service throughout the evening, are available from Pugnacious Promotions at 518-527-0160 or www.pugnaciouspromotions.com.

The 6th annual "Burdell Bailey"  Coopers Cave Tournament gets underway today with 19 teams from across the Mid-Atlantic Region competeing at the U19 American Legion level.

Here is my story in today's Saratogian.

2010 Coopers Cave Tournament divisions
Red DivisionPost 233 Tri-County, New York
Hoxie Cleaners, Rhode Island
S.D. Ireland, Vermont
Post 150 Kingston, New York
Westbrook, Maine
Post 168 Morris J. Edwards, New Jersey

White Division Saratoga Stampede
Post 141 Trumbell, Connecticut
Post 232 Helmuth-Ingalls, New York
Colchester Cannons, Vermont
Post 72 Saugerties, New York
Post 735 West Seneca, New York

Blue DivisionPost 1080 Shrub Oak, New York
Post 64 Wicomico, Maryland
Post 20 Clinton County, New York
Post 323 Granville, New York
Anaconda Indians, New York
Post 184 Hudson Post, New York

Coopers Cave Tournament
Pool play schedule
Tuesday, July 6
Moreau Rec Park3 p.m. S.D. Ireland vs. Morris J. Edwards
6 p.m. Tri-County vs. S.D. Ireland
Veterans Memorial Park5:30 p.m. Colchester Cannons vs. Granville
8 p.m. Granville vs. Anaconda Indians
East Side Rec.8 p.m. Saratoga Stampede vs. Halmuth-Ingalls

Wednesday, July 7
East Field, Glens FallsNoon Kingston vs. Morris J. Edwards
3 p.m. Shrub Oak vs. Colchester Cannons
6 p.m. Hudson vs. Shrub Oak
Moreau Rec Park3 p.m. Kingston vs. Hoxie Cleaners
6 p.m. Tri-County vs. Hoxie Cleaners
Veterans Memorial Park3 p.m. Saugerties vs. Colchester Cannons
5:30 p.m. Granville vs. Wicomico, MD
8 p.m. Wicomico, MD vs. Anaconda Indians
East Side Rec9 a.m. Morris J. Edwards vs. Westbrook, ME
Noon Helmuth-Ingalls vs. Trumbell, CT
3 p.m. Tumbell, CT vs. West Seneca
5:30 p.m. Helmuth-Ingalls vs. West Seneca
8 p.m. Saratoga Stampede vs. Colchester Cannons

Thursday, July 8
East Field9 a.m. Hudson vs. Colchester Cannons
Noon Colchester Cannons vs. Wicomico, MD
3 p.m. Tri-County vs. Morris J. Edwards
6 p.m. Kingston vs. Tri-County
Moreau Rec3 p.m. Shrub Oak vs. Granville
6 p.m. Hudson vs. Anaconda Indians
Veterans Memorial Park3 p.m. S.D. Ireland vs. Westbrook, ME
5:30 p.m. Helmuth-Ingalls vs. Colchester Cannons
8 p.m. Trumbell, CT vs. Colchester Cannons
East Side Rec9 a.m Hoxie Cleanders, RI vs. Westbrook, ME
Noon Hoxie Cleaners, RI vs. S.D. Ireland, VT
3 p.m. Saugerties vs. West Seneca
5:30 p.m. Saratoga Stampede vs. Saugerties
8 p.m. Saratoga Stampede vs. West Seneca

Friday, July 9
East Field9 a.m. Colchester Cannons vs. Anaconda Indians
Noon Tri-County vs. Westbook, Maine
3 p.m. Hoxie Cleaners, RI vs. Morris J. Edwards
6 p.m. Morris J. Edwards vs. Kingston
Moreau Rec9 a.m. Kingston vs. Westbrook, Maine
Noon Colchester Cannons vs. West Seneca
3 p.m. Hudson vs. Wicomico, MD
6 p.m. Hudson vs. Granville
East Side Rec9 a.m. Shrub Oak vs. Wicomico, MD
Noon Saugerties vs. Helmuth-Ingalls
3 p.m. Shrub Oak vs. Anaconda Indians
5:30 p.m. Trumbell, CT vs. Saugerties
8 p.m. Saratoga Stampede vs. Trumbell, CT

New York Elite FC is holding tryouts for the 2010-11 soccer season. NYEFC is a Premier and Elite Soccer Club accepting talented players, U10-U23, from throughout the Capital District.

The NYEFC coaching staff is comprised of the most accomplished coaches and trainers in the area, under the direction of Miles Joseph.

Tryouts for Girls will be held on 7/13 and Boys on 7/15 at the Clifton Commons, Clifton Park. For more information and to register for tryouts, please visit www.nyelitefc.com

The 17th Annual Earl B. Feiden Siro’s Cup to benefit the Center for Disability Services Foundation will be held on Thursday, July 22. The party, held on the eve of opening day at the Saratoga Race Course, begins at 6:30 p.m., at Siro’s Restaurant, 168 Lincoln Avenue, Saratoga Springs.

At 7 p.m., there will be a presentation to Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen “Chief” Jerkens to honor his contribution to the horse racing industry and salute him for his long and successful career. Jerkens is legendary for sending horses to the starting gate who then upset favored champions. The event will welcome many top jockeys and trainers. Guests will dance to music from the Electric City Horns until 11 p.m. under an open air tent. The evening includes a cocktail buffet and open bar. Siro’s Cup is held rain or shine.

The popular event is a benefit for the Center for Disability Services Foundation in support of Adult Services, Center Health Care & Assistive Technology, Clover Patch Camp, CloverPatch Pre-School, Langan School and St. Margaret’s Center. The Center is a resource for people of all ages who have disabilities or health related conditions. It has a 68 year history in the Capital Region and beyond, and is known as the place where people get better at life.

Tickets are $125 per person by July 21st or $1100 for a group of ten tickets if purchased by July 16th. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Walk ins are welcome and tickets at the door are $150. For reservations, call 518-944-2125 or email: pedreira@cfdsny.org

University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced today that New York Giants’ summer training camp all-session parking passes will be available to the public, beginning Tuesday, July 13, at the UAlbany Athletic Ticket Office.

An all-session parking pass is $15.00. The daily parking fee is $5.00. Dutch Quad Lot is the primary public parking facility. The UAlbany athletic ticket office, located in the Physical Education Building’s south lobby, will be open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. For more information, call 518-442-4683. The training camp schedule can be accessed through www.giants.com or www.ualbanysports.com.

The New York Giants and UAlbany recently announced an agreement to hold training camp this summer. The arrangement also includes a two-year option to have the Giants train on the UAlbany campus through 2012.

The Giants have trained on the UAlbany campus, just 2-1/2 hours north of the New Meadowlands Stadium, since 1996. In the 14 years that the Giants have trained at UAlbany, the preseason camp has averaged more than 33,000 fans per summer. The camp attendance mark of 46,960 was established last year.

2010 New York Giants Training Camp Schedule
August 1, Sunday Practice: 3:15-5:15 p.m.

August 2, Monday Practice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 3:15-5:15 p.m.

August 3, TuesdayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 3:15-5:15 p.m.

August 4, WednesdayNo Practice

August 5, ThursdayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 6, FridayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 7, SaturdayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 8, SundayNo Practice

August 9, MondayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 10, TuesdayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 11, WednesdayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 12, ThursdayPractice: 10:30-11:30 a.m. (Jog-Thru)

August 13, FridayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 14, SaturdayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 15, SundayPractice: 10:00-11:30 a.m. (Jog-Thru)

August 16, MondayNFL Preseason Game @ New York Jets, 8:00 p.m. (ESPN)

August 17, TuesdayNo Practice

August 18, WednesdayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 19, ThursdayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 20, FridayPractice: 10:30-11:45 a.m. (Jog-Thru)
Camp Ends

August 21, SaturdayNFL Preseason Game vs. Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.

University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced today that New York Giants’ summer training camp all-session parking passes will be available to the public, beginning Tuesday, July 13, at the UAlbany Athletic Ticket Office.

An all-session parking pass is $15.00. The daily parking fee is $5.00. Dutch Quad Lot is the primary public parking facility. The UAlbany athletic ticket office, located in the Physical Education Building’s south lobby, will be open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. For more information, call 518-442-4683. The training camp schedule can be accessed through www.giants.com or www.ualbanysports.com.

The New York Giants and UAlbany recently announced an agreement to hold training camp this summer. The arrangement also includes a two-year option to have the Giants train on the UAlbany campus through 2012.

The Giants have trained on the UAlbany campus, just 2-1/2 hours north of the New Meadowlands Stadium, since 1996. In the 14 years that the Giants have trained at UAlbany, the preseason camp has averaged more than 33,000 fans per summer. The camp attendance mark of 46,960 was established last year.

2010 New York Giants Training Camp Schedule
August 1, Sunday Practice: 3:15-5:15 p.m.

August 2, Monday Practice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 3:15-5:15 p.m.

August 3, TuesdayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 3:15-5:15 p.m.

August 4, WednesdayNo Practice

August 5, ThursdayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 6, FridayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 7, SaturdayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 8, SundayNo Practice

August 9, MondayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 10, TuesdayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 11, WednesdayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 12, ThursdayPractice: 10:30-11:30 a.m. (Jog-Thru)

August 13, FridayPractice No. 1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice No. 2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.

August 14, SaturdayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 15, SundayPractice: 10:00-11:30 a.m. (Jog-Thru)

August 16, MondayNFL Preseason Game @ New York Jets, 8:00 p.m. (ESPN)

August 17, TuesdayNo Practice

August 18, WednesdayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 19, ThursdayPractice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.

August 20, FridayPractice: 10:30-11:45 a.m. (Jog-Thru)
Camp Ends

August 21, SaturdayNFL Preseason Game vs. Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.

Hudson Crossing Park presents its 6th Annual Cardboard Boat Race on Saturday, August 14th (rain date Sunday, August 15th) at the Fort Hardy Beach on Route 29 in Schuylerville. Registration opens at 8:00am and boats launch at 1:00pm. Race entry fees are between $10 and $25 and all who pre-register by August 1 receive a free T-Shirt! This FREE event includes live music, great food and lots of prizes.

A list of rules, registration forms and hints to get started with your boat building is available at www.hudsonrivercrossing.org or by calling Marlene Bissell at: 518.859.1462.

Racing participants will construct a “human-powered” boat made of corrugated cardboard or 100% recycled materials, that will hold at least 1 crew member and be “seaworthy” enough to race a short distance on the river. Racers may construct their boats ahead of time or on the morning of the event, where materials will be available at the event site.

During racing preparations, there will be live music, great food, t-shirt sales and terrific photo opportunities in a fun-filled day for all. Individuals, families, or groups, business & school teams are all encouraged to race. Whether you come as a crew member, the captain, or an on-shore cheerleader, we promise you a day you’ll never forget! See you on the river!

Hudson Crossing is a new bi-county educational park centered on and near the Champlain Canal Lock 5 Island of the Hudson River. The park offers river and canal access, a floating dock, trails, picnic sites, fishing access, points of geologic and historical significance and the innovative Hudson Crossing Play Garden.

The public is always welcome to monthly Hudson Crossing meetings on the last Wednesday of every month from 3:30 - 5:00 at the Saratoga Town Hall on Route 29 / Spring Street in Schuylerville. Call Marlene Bissell 518.859.1462 for more information.

Plans are underway for The Inaugural Malta Business & Professional Association (MBPA) 5K on Saturday, September 11th. The 5K will begin at 8:30 am at the HVCC Tec Smart building in the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park and routes though Luther Forest Technology Campus. The event is open to the public with $20 advance registration online at www.areep.com. Runners can also register for $25 Day of event starting at 7:30 am.

The Malta BPA 5K will benefit local veterans and emergency responders. Proceeds are also being donated to: Saratoga County Rural Preservation Company, Malta Ambulance Corps, Round Lake Fire Department and Malta Ridge Fire Department.

For more information, visit maltabpa.com

Save the date, Friday, August 6 for some serious grapplin.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus at 50 Pine Road with bouts starting at 8 p.m.

Skidmore College has named Joe Burke as head men’s basketball coach, following a national search. Burke recently completed his sixth year as an assistant coach at the U.S. Naval Academy after four years on the Cornell University staff.

“We are thrilled to have Joe Burke join the Skidmore family and take the helm of our men’s basketball program,” said Gail Cummings-Danson, Skidmore athletics director. “Joe has proven himself as a tireless worker who has the ability to attract outstanding student-athletes. I look forward to watching the progress our program makes under his guidance.”

Burke was instrumental in the resurgence of the Navy program, serving as one of its top recruiters. He brought outstanding talent that immediately contributed to Navy’s improvement on the court. Five of Navy’s recruits earned Patriot League All-Rookie Team honors over the past six seasons.

In the 2008-09 season, one of Burke’s earliest recruits, Kaleo Kina, was a first-team All-Patriot League selection after leading the Midshipmen to a 19-11 record that equaled the most wins for Navy since the 1999-2000 season.

"I am thrilled to be at Skidmore,” Burke said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for me and my family. It will be a privilege to fulfill a life long dream of being a head coach at a great institution.

"I am anxious to get started," Burke said. "I have been fortunate to be an assistant to Steve Donahue when he took over at Cornell and Billy Lange when he took over the Naval Academy program, so I have a good feel for how much work there is to do. I am excited to start reaching out to the team, their families and the former players because this is truly their program. I am also excited to get on the road to recruit and represent Skidmore College."

A 1996 graduate of Ursinus College, Burke sees Skidmore as the prefect place for his first head coaching position. “I immediately reached out to Gail Cummings-Danson when the job became available and that interest only grew stronger as I went through the interview process and had the opportunity to meet Gail, her staff, the committee and members of the team.

“Everyone associated with the school and the community made me feel at home. Having been a student-athlete at Ursinus and having coached at such great academic/athletic institutions like Cornell and the Naval Academy really makes this a great transition.”

Prior to Navy, Burke coached at Cornell from 2001-04, serving as the team’s top assistant in the 2003-04 season. He was responsible for recruiting, practice planning, and game strategy. After leaving Cornell, his recruits helped the Big Red continue their upward trend toward their recent dominance of the Ivy League.

"I couldn’t be more excited about the future of this program," Burke said. "I think there are many pieces in place and I look forward to providing the leadership to take it to another level. As I told the kids when I met them, we will never settle. They want to achieve great things both on and off the court and it is my goal that as a team we do just that."

Burke was an assistant coach at Philadelphia University from 1998 to 2000. A 1992 graduate of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, N.J., he served as an assistant at his alma mater from 1996-1998.

Burke succeeds Luke Flockerzi, who recently took over the University of Rochester program. Skidmore returns four starters from last year’s team which went 16-10, tying a program varsity win record.

Burke and his wife, Victoria, are the parents of a son Alec (6) and two daughters, Elena (4), and Olivia Grace (2).

Suburban Council Baseball 2010 All-Star Team

There was a three-way tie for Coach of the Year: Paul Deluca/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, John Furey/Niskayuna and Peter Mravlja/Shaker.

Pitcher of the Year was Nick Cioffi/Averill Park and Player of the Year was Matt Zanotta/Guilderland

Suburban Council First TeamCatcher: Brian O` Keefe/Colonie
First base: Matt Zanotta/Guilderland
Middle infield: Bret Dennis/Burnt Hills and Branden Cogswell/Shen
Third base: Derek Gardella/Shaker
Designated hitter: John Craig/Shen
Utility: Brian Guilder/Ballston Spa
Outfielders: Kyle Willmott/Saratoga, Scott Buniak/Shen and Keaton Flint/Burnt Hills
Pitchers: Nick Cioffi/AP, Matt Coleman/Saratoga, Chris Kalica/Colonie and Jeff Hoffman/Shaker

Suburban Council Second TeamCatcher: Brandon Galluppi/Shen
First base: David Wixted/Shen
Middle infield: Sean Geisel/Guilderland and Christian Brown/Columbia
Third base: Andrew Kalish/Shen
Designated hitter: Dan Buff/Burnt Hills
Utility: Stephen Proper/Columbia
Outfielders: Nick Valletta/Niskayuna, Luke Fauler/Saratoga, Luke Stark/Guilderland
Pitchers: John Prendergast/Shen, Matt Dempsey/Shen, Mike Nowak/Shaker and Corey Parks/Burnt Hills

Legendary jockey Gary Stevens will be the keynote speaker at the National Museum of Racing’s 2010 Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, August 13. The ceremony will be held at the newly renovated Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion at 10:30 a.m. It is free to the public.

Stevens, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997, will be the fourth Hall of Fame member – following John Nerud in 1994, D. Wayne Lukas in 2004 and Chris McCarron in 2009 – to accept an invitation to speak at the ceremony.

Stevens, 47, won 5,005 races and had purse earnings of $237,644,302 in a career that spanned from 1979 to 2005. He won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes three times each and posted two victories in both the Preakness and Travers. Stevens also won a record nine runnings of the Santa Anita Derby and posted eight wins in Breeders’ Cup races.

One of the most popular athletes in the history of Thoroughbred racing, Stevens has enjoyed tremendous success in many endeavors. In 2003, he received critical acclaim for his role as jockey George Woolf in the Academy Award-nominated film “Seabiscuit.” Stevens has also been a popular racing analyst for NBC Sports and Horse Racing Television (HRTV), and recently signed on for a role in HBO’s upcoming racetrack series “Luck,” which will also star Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. He also has authored a book about his life, The Perfect Ride.

Stevens was born March 6, 1963 in Caldwell, Idaho. He began his riding career at age 16 in his home state at Les Bois Park in Boise. Stevens quickly became a top rider in Washington and then found success in California. In 1993, he became the youngest jockey to surpass $100 million in earnings. In 1996, Stevens won the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. He won the Mike Venezia Memorial Award in 1999. Stevens earned the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 1998, the year after his Hall of Fame induction.

Stevens won the Kentucky Derby with Winning Colors (1988), Thunder Gulch (1995) and Silver Charm (1997); the Preakness Stakes with Silver Charm (1997) and Point Given (2001); and the Belmont with Thunder Gulch (1995), Victory Gallop (1998) and Point Given (2001).

- Courtesy National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

The Saratoga Estudiantes '99 U11 soccer team recently went undefeated in capturing the Niskayuna U12 Soccer Tournament. The team went undefeated against Latham Circle, Henry Hudson, Niskayuna, and Clifton Park. The Estudiantes '99 team then traveled up to Syracuse where they won the Northstars Cup U11 Championship. The team went 6-0 going undefeated against Empire United Syracuse, Liverpool Soccer Academy, Soccer Central, and the Cicero Jr. Northstars.


Players on the team were: Colby Obrecht, Nick Cavotta, Menard Bibow, Zarin Tuten, Thomas Preece, Tommy Pendergrass, Seth Granger, Ryan Stites, Jack Beck, Colin Maruscsak, Gabe Olsen, Jesse Godine, and Max Schynoll.

The Saratoga Colo Colo '00 U10 soccer team recently went undefeated in capturing the Burnt Hills Father's Day Tournament. The team went undefeated against Williamstown, Chazy, Brunswick, and Clifton Park. Players on the team were: Nick Rosebrook, Jonathan Irons, Aidan O'Malley, Tommy Pendergrass, Alec Olsen, Daniel Varsames, Ryan Postlethwait, Aidan Rice, Jack Lena, and James Pouch.

The Saratoga Estudinates '99, Colo Colo '00, and Colo Colo '00 teams are coached by Jeff Geller and ended their spring soccer season with a combined record of 35-8-6.