Signalling the end of Sumner for Toronto since 1879, the historic CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION returns from August 16 to September 2, 2019.

The Ex as it is known affectionately by Torontonians, brings 1.4 million people to the City and for the first time ever features a Comedy Festival. Diversity is at the forefront this year with a diverse roster of talent including dancing troupe ILL-Abilities slated to perform.

A lantern exhibit titled SILK ROAD COMES TO LIGHT inspired by fables from Marco Polo’s travels along the Silk Road, celebrates cultures as they were and are. You can even download an App: CNE Night 2019 to learn about the installations.

The affair is a haven for gaming geeks as well! The AMD Gaming Garage and nostalgic Pinball Alley provide tons of cutting edge and retro fun.

For those athlete’s out there, The Ex Race gives one winner a $10k prize, but these contestants must go through a grueling and demanding obstacle course first!

Some of the exciting food offerings at The Ex this year which we got to try. The ones with asterisks we loved:

•The Cheesecake Factory‘s General Custard*
•Pickle Lemonade
•Fried Avocado from Bacon Nation*
•Calamari Fries*
•Flamin’ Cheetos Corndog*
•Red Licorice/Pink Lemonade Donuts and Timbits from Tim Hortons
•Rainbow Grilled Cheese from Pancho’s
•Maple Bacon Churros from Pancho’s
•Cotton Candy Tacos
•Spicy Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bacon Burger from Bacon Nation
•Rainbow Funnel Cake
•Cherry Fried Cheese Curds from The King of Curds*
•Beyond Guac Burger*
•Strawberry Dream Waffle Stick from Fudge Puppy
•Pickle Pizza from R&J Concessions*
•Super Snacker (Eight Beaver Tails stacked)
•Oreo Chocolate Cheesecake Chimneys from Eva’s
•Oh Hungry Dessert Dog (Sweet Jesus)

Bandshell Park also will feature a new value food experience, UNDER $6 in the 6 including Jerk Chicken Skewers, Tacos and more!

Some visuals. Hover cursor right to navigate each gallery:

To learn more about The Ex, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It’s never too early for Christmas, is it? Check-out the new Trailer for LAST CHRISTMAS starring Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding!

Synopsis:

Kate (Emilia Clarke) harumphs around London, a bundle of bad decisions accompanied by the jangle of bells on her shoes, another irritating consequence from her job as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. Tom (Henry Golding) seems too good to be true when he walks into her life and starts to see through so many of Kate’s barriers. As London transforms into the most wonderful time of the year, nothing should work for these two. But sometimes, you gotta let the snow fall where it may, you gotta listen to your heart … and you gotta have faith.

Last Christmas is directed by Paul Feig, with the Music of George Michael.

See the Trailer:

Universal Pictures release LAST CHRISTMAS is in theatres Friday, November 8, 2019.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of YESTERDAY on Blu-ray!

See the Trailer:

Features:

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY™, DVD AND DIGITAL:
Alternate Opening*
Alternate Ending

Deleted Scenes:
Corden & Roxanne – Includes deleted performance by Himesh Patel of “Something”
Late for School
Nutters Italian Ice Cream
Sortisimus
Moscow Audience
Alexa
A Gonk
W Hotel
Jack Calls Ellie
Hilary in the Mirror
Nick and Carol
Hazel’s Selfie
Gag Reel*

Live at Abbey Road Studios – Watch Himesh Patel perform “Yesterday”, “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, and “Let it Be” at Abbey Road Studios.

Ed Sheeran: From Stadium to Screen* – Acting in his first major role, Ed Sheeran reflects on his experiences making the movie.

Agent of Comedy: Kate McKinnon*- Kate McKinnon shares how eager she was to play the role of “Debra Hammer” while the cast and crew reflect on the fun and energy that the queen of improvisational comedy brought to the set.

A Talented Duo* –Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle, two of the most successful British filmmakers, team up for the first time.

Playing for Real*- The re-interpreting of the Beatles songs was a huge undertaking for newcomer Himesh Patel. Learn how he spent months learning to play the songs perfectly as the production decided to take the more challenging route of recording the musical numbers live on set.

Soul Mates* – Beyond the music and the laughs, the film is, of course, a love story. This piece looks at the relationship between Jack & Ellie and the actors playing them.

A Conversation with Richard & Ed*- Long-term friends Richard Curtis and Ed Sheeran have a funny and informal chat about the making of YESTERDAY.

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance! Open to Canadian Readers only.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment release YESTERDAY Tuesday, September 26, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

While we’re sad it isn’t announced for TIFF ’19, we are happy about getting to see its Trailer finally for Greta Gerwig’s reimagining of LITTLE WOMEN.

Synopsis:
Writer-Director Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) has crafted a Little Women that draws on both the classic novel and the writings of Louisa May Alcott, and unfolds as the author’s alter ego, Jo March, reflects back and forth on her fictional life. In Gerwig’s take, the beloved story of the March sisters – four young women each determined to live life on her own terms — is both timeless and timely. Portraying Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth March, the Film stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, with Timothée Chalamet as their neighbor Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee, and Meryl Streep as Aunt March.

See the Trailer:

Sony Pictures Canada release LITTLE WOMEN this Christmas.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

It’s definitely Toronto’s year! Local Tennis sensation Bianca Andreescu has propelled herself into stardom with at the Rogers Cup this weekend. In addition to the 19-year-old Mississauga native, the first Canadian woman in 50 years to the feat, she also now ranks number #14 on the WTA poll standings.

Andreescu made an appearance on BREAKFAST TELEVISION and with her were her parents and toy poodle Coco! I was lucky enough even to get a peck. What a cutie!

See our Snaps. Hover cursor right to navigate gallery:

With just a few weeks left of Summer, we needed an adventure and we found it so odd that another Summer was about to pass why where were weren’t invited not to even one Barbeque! I mean, I’m fun right? I just never seem to make the cut to these cozy summer house parties which I imagine my friends having secretly without me!

Set on making this happen, we made it a priority to catch-up with friends we don’t get to see enough. This of course was all made possible by a test drive of the 2019 Acura RDX Elite. The luxurious SUV in Platinum White Pearl combines sophistication, style and utility in one spacious package, giving its driver a lift in status.

The RDX Elite’s 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine operating at 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque is packed with power and we imagine this doing quite well in these frigid and snowy winters, yet still posessing versatility as a flashy summer ride with its sizy monroof and state-of-the-art climate control. The SUV is ready for the summer with high-powered vents, back-row climate control for passengers and both seat coolers and heaters. This is tailored to our unpredictable Canadian weather.

While Acura hasn’t caught-on yet to its sister company Honda yet in spoiling us with a charging plate for your smartphone, the ride comes with an abundance of charging ports. Its 12-speaker stereo system sounds glorious with great acoustics and we can prove it:

Connecting to our phone playlists was a breeze as was taking phone calls via Bluetooth. We love that the RDX Elite was SiriusXM-ready as our morning drive to work isn’t complete without Hits 1 Morning Mashup! Its console features a 10.2 inch LED display which has a laptop mouse-like touchpad located under its push-button gears on which you navigate its menu. Did we mention our perforated leather-trimmed seats were adjustable 16-ways with settable position memories?

The RDX Elite is crammed with meticulous safety features giving you ease of mind. Automatic High Beam makes driving that simpler whether you’re in the City or the Country like us. Automatic Emergency Braking with Forward Collision Warning is a life saver especially in unpredictable Toronto traffic which can seeing you cruising along the 401 one second and braking in a heartbeart. You all know what I’m talking about! Lane Departure Warning with Road Departure Mitigation are intuitive, as is its Lane Keeping Assist. The rear-view camera was invaluable helping us parallel park downtown and back-into tight underground garage parking.

One defining feature is the RDX Elite‘s power-folding, auto-dimming side mirrors. You need to see them to believe how cool they are. And we will never complain about having a roomy trunk with an self-opening and closing hatchback! We’re obsessed.

We truly have been spoiled by Honda‘s game-changing Fuel Economy and environmental consciousness and wish that Acura took some inspiration too in this. The RDX Elite operates at a Fuel Enconomy of 11.0 L/100km in the City and 8.7 L/100km on the Highway. This can be a bit of a challenge on the wallet, especially when commuting long distances. We went through a third of a tank of gas overnight driving to work and back and doing a one way drive from our Barbeque home Caledon to Markham.

In the end we were able to spend time with our friends and loved ones, and won’t forget what joy we had celebrating the Summer with our dear Princess, roasting marshmallows and making Smores on the bonfire!

See the wonderful time we had and the Bonfire we made! We’ve now met our BBQuota for the Summer! Hover cursor right to navigate gallery.

We even got to catch-up with our Contributor Dave over doughnuts at my fave, The Sunshine Doughnut Co. out his way and we’re thrilled he got to meet Mr Will finally!

One of the joys to summer driving into the weekend as quieter and quicker morning commutes and we savoured it greatly in our luxurious sidekick!

See some Snaps:

The 2020 Acura RDX Elite is out now. Learn more about it here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Premiering at TIFF ’19, check-out the new Trailer for DOLEMITE IS MY NAME with an all-star Cast including Eddie Murphy, Wesley Snipes and Keegan-Michael Key.

Synopsis:
Stung by a string of showbiz failures, floundering comedian Rudy Ray Moore (Academy Award nominee Eddie Murphy) has an epiphany that turns him into a word-of-mouth sensation: step onstage as someone else. Borrowing from the street mythology of 1970s Los Angeles, Moore assumes the persona of Dolemite, a pimp with a cane and an arsenal of obscene fables. However, his ambitions exceed selling bootleg records deemed too racy for mainstream radio stations to play. Moore convinces a social justice-minded dramatist (Keegan-Michael Key) to write his alter ego a film, incorporating kung fu, car chases, and Lady Reed (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), an ex-backup singer who becomes his unexpected comedic foil. Despite clashing with his pretentious director, D’Urville Martin (Wesley Snipes), and countless production hurdles at their studio in the dilapidated Dunbar Hotel, Moore’s Dolemite becomes a runaway box office smash and a defining movie of the Blaxploitation era.

See the Trailer:

DOLEMITE IS MY NAME streams this Fall on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Fox Searchlight x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see READY OR NOT! Screenings take place as follows on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 7:00 PM:

TORONTO // Cineplex Yonge & Dundas
MONTREAL // Scotiabank Theatre Montreal
VANCOUVER // Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver

Synopsis:
READY OR NOT follows a young bride (Samara Weaving) as she joins her new husband’s (Mark O’Brien) rich, eccentric family (Adam Brody, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell) in a time-honored tradition that turns into a lethal game with everyone fighting for their survival.

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for an extra chance!

Fox Searchlight release READY OR NOT Friday, August 21, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Fox Searchlight)

FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW takes its lead to two weeks, nabbing top spot at the Box Office once again with $28 million from 4,344 theatres for Universal Pictures. Over two weeks, it has grossed $108.1 million domestically.

In second is a debuting SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK, with $20.8 million for CBS Films/eOne Films from 3,135 theatres. It gets 80% on the Tomatometer and a C CinemaScore.

DISNEY’S THE LION KING lands in third spot this weekend with $20 million, a total $473 million over four weeks in North America.

DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD has a credible debut in fourth with $17.1 million for Paramount Pictures. It gets 81% on the Tomatometer and an A CinemaScore.

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN is in sixth in its debut for 20th Century Fox with $8.1 million from 2,765 theatres. It gets 48% on the Tomatometer and an A- CinemaScore.

THE KITCHEN opens in seventh with $5.3 million from 2,745 theatres for Warner Bros. It gets 21% on the Tomatometer and a B- CinemaScore.

BRIAN BANKS rounds-out the Top Ten with $2.2 million for Bleecker Street Films from 1,240 theatres. It gets 54% on the Tomatometer. No Canadian release date set yet for this title

Visiting Saratoga Race Course has been a dream of mine for quite some time now. The picturesque racetrack in Saratoga Springs, New York, just about a six-hour drive from Toronto, boasts tons of history dating back to 1863. Every Summer, New York’s Horse Racing fans see the thrills migrate from a spring meet at Belmont Park in Elmont, to a 40-day meet at Saratoga. Here some of the sport’s finest athletes, equine and human, convene for some lucrative purses and prestige with cards jam-packed with stakes action.

While Saratoga Springs and its treasured race course possess time-honoured traditions and charms, there is an undeniable energy that keeps it feeling young and alive. The downtown strip along Broadway is filled with cute shops, restaurants, cafés, museums and theatres which while old school, very much cater to trends and tastes of today. The City’s two colleges, Skidmore and Empire State keep its spirit young. Horse Racing-inspired art and memorabilia can be seen front and center on-display at several galleries and shops, while more than a few on-trend restaurants advertise Wagyu beef in their burgers. Local artists can be heard singing and playing, a different act as you pass along a litany of watering holes, one advertising an upcoming appearance by The Hills’ Audrina Patridge. Audiences cheer and sing along, while the races from Del Mar are broadcast on  installed TVs. This is a place that nurtures Artists and their craft. Couples can be heard discussing the day’s races in-line getting Ice Cream and I wonder if this all is a dream! Horse Racing certainly is in the blood and veins of Saratogians, native and honourary even if there for just a quick visit.

My buddy Julie and I had talked about visiting Saratoga for quite some time. With my beloved dog Billy being ill for the past couple years, venturing away on long weekends became a daunting task and only after he passed away this winter, I realized that this finally might be the Summer I could make it out. It was the right time to visit.

Saratoga‘s Socialite Queen Marylou Whitney sadly had just passed away late July and much was being done to celebrate her including a Saturday that was pink-themed (her favourite colour) the re-branding of an entrance at the racetrack in her memory and also a scheduled induction to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which she never got to enjoy while here.  Above that, the Grade I Whitney Handicap was to be run this past weekend as part of the Fasig-Tipton Racing Festival, culminating in The Saratoga Sale, a high-end yearling auction Monday and Tuesday. Morale was down a bit and Saratoga Race Course had the remedy to lift it.

Saratoga‘s famed Congress Park Carousel 

Upon arriving downtown, I’m told by Julie how incredible the breakfast is at UNCOMMON GROUNDS and we spot right away going in, Horse Racing’s favourite couple, Julien & Shea Leparoux. The Café already had run-out of her favourite Blueberry Scones, but we chat with Mrs. Leparoux about the time they came to Toronto for Tepin‘s smashing win in the Woodbine Mile and all the amazing memories she has of our City where she trained once as a Disney performer. We also chat about their performing a Karaoke rendition of Shallow from A Star is Born earlier in the week at a fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. I could tell already this visit was going to be amazing and the Avocado Bagel and Green Smoothie sealed the deal.

The Leparouxs and Breakfast at Uncommon Grounds

Another sign of good things to come was Julie and I walking-up Broadway where we spotted a dog who looked exactly like her Westie, Wyatt. A few steps behind, I see a carbon copy of my Billy and we both wondered if this was a sign of some sort. I couldn’t process how much a doppelganger the Shih Tzu was, it was as if Billy had been reborn. I asked the owner if I could hold him, Milo, whom I learned was a year old, which messes-up the reincarnation theory I had in my head. Holding him filled my heart with happiness, yet also an incredible sense of longing as I miss Billy so much. I WhatsApped my mom and she couldn’t believe her eyes. See for yourself!

If anything, all of this made me realize again that I do want another dog sooner than later!

We check-in to our amazing Airbnb, which literally is five minutes from Saratoga Race Course and the downtown strip on Broadway. It had a rain shower head. It was heaven. Sorry for all the Saratoga Springs water I wasted, loitering in the shower.

Finally arriving at the track late morning, I am in awe of what I see. Row upon row of picnic tables and lawn chairs for couples, families and friends to set-up shop for an afternoon under the sun. We hear that grandstand seats and securing a table to sit at the Track is quite pricey and done by reservation – although many did pay for the luxury. As a result of this, many just camp-out, which also is great if you can find a spot in the shade. TVs displaying the races and betting stations are abundant, hence regardless, you can be part of the festivities even if you’re not trackside.

Then finally we witness the magic with our own eyes. The track is even more beautiful than imagined…

Above this, the options for food and drink are the best I’ve ever seen at the races. Shake Shack (with a limited edition Sloppy Track milkshake available at Saratoga only), Hattie’s Fried Chicken (incredible!), Fourstardave (a bar named after the race course hero – order The Sunrise!), Dunkin’ Donuts, Lobster Rolls, Tacos, Lemonade stands, Fried Dough and so many more temptations!

You also must try the Trackside Breakfast where you can enjoy a buffet up till 9:30 AM for about $20, while watching the horses jog across the Main Track.

And off they went!

We were thrilled to see veteran Macagone (pronounced Mah-kay-gen), an eight-year-old grinder whom under Jose Lezcano, set a new course record for Trainer Jason Servis, upping his bankroll to $636k from 41 starts… and winning me $100!

Bill Mott trainee Casa Creed (by Jimmy Creed) would then go on to win the Grade II National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, under Junior Alvarado, his kids cheering him on.

We were thrilled to see our friend Melanie Giddings (she worked many years for Mark Casse at Woodbine) in the Winner’s Circle as Tom’s d’Etat took the Alydar Stakes with Joel Rosario aboard, for Trainer Albert Stall Jr. Love the passion she shows for her horses!

There was never a doubt that Concrete Rose would take the $750k Saratoga Oaks and she made it look so effortless  going wire to wire with Julien Leparoux in the saddle! The George Arnold II trainee has been unstoppable this year and we caught one of her proud owners, Bo Bromagen discreetly snapping pics of her in the walking ring.

___________________________________________

We were up and at ’em early the next day, vowing to visit our friends on the backstretch and also beautiful Oklahoma Training Track.

Trainer Rodolphe Brisset refined his craft under the guidance of Bill Mott and he is a force to be reckoned with. We got to meet some of his well-bred stable stars.

The Black Album (FR) who just won the Toronto Cup at Woodbine. His Groom Lesley Howes also is from Canada.

Violencia won at first asking earlier this year in Florida with a huge speed figure. Assistant Trainer Austin Motley is to her left.

New Day Dawning is a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro and Ready to Act. You might remember Ready to Act competing in the Natalma Stakes at Woodbine in 2013, leading all the way only to veer-in and unseat her rider Rajiv Maragh right before the finish.

We’ve always been a fan of Norm Casse and are thrilled his own stable is taking-off, winning his first stake this Summer.  Assistant Trainer Sarah Campion is a gem and has been with him since their time under Norm‘s father, Mark and she was so nice to introduce us to some very special two-year-olds, who happen to be owned by the late Marylou Whitney including Pow Wow Prince (by Cairo Prince), Bird Map (by Liam’s Map) and Tuff Bird (by Congrats).

We have so much respect for our friend Cherie Devaux whom also is seeing the returns of her hard work since branching on her own as a Conditioner. We first met her when she was an Assistant to the world’s number one-ranked Trainer Chad Brown. She’s been in-the-money 14 out of 36 races this year with her own trainees, which is impressive. We spotted her out at the Oklahoma Training Centre with husband David Ingordo, a respected Bloodstock Agent, both fully-focused. Below that is her with one of her winners, filly Heartstrings who won first try at 39-1 odds.

Top Trainer Chad Brown’s operation is a well-oiled machine. We’re so delighted to have an opportunity to hang-out for a quick minute at his barn, which houses megastars like Bricks and Mortar, Guarana, Rushing Fall, Wow Cat (CHI), Sistercharlie (IRE), Woodbine‘s Summer Stakes winner Fog of War, and several more. Office Manager Asia Savasta kindly showed us around and it is almost impossible not to be starstruck by the caliber of talent.

The undefeated Guarana, Savasta and I

We love seeing our friends at the barn of Mark Casse as always and we’re so proud of Assistant Trainer Jamie Begg, who used to work at Woodbine under Roger Attfield. His parents Jeff & Annabel of Windways Farm, also happen to have co-owned Breeders’ Cup victress and Canadian Horse of the Year, Catch a Glimpse.

Team Casse notched two stakes scores this past weekend at Saratoga including the Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes with Got Stormy and also the Grade II Adirondack Stakes with two-year-old filly Perfect Alibi (by Sky Mesa). Got Stormy faces Chad Brown‘s Uni and male opposition in this weekend’s Fourstardave.

How about this adorable photo of Got Stormy and Preakness Stakes winner War of Will showing each other some love?

___________________________________________

George Arnold II had a great weekend winning the Troy Stakes above the Saratoga Oaks, with Leinster. Tyler Gaffalione was aboard the win.

We are in love with Christophe Clement stablemates Disco Partner and Pure Sensation and couldn’t resist Selfies, which they happen to be really good at!

Godolphin‘s Lucullan prevailed in the Fasig-Tipton Lure Stakes under Luis Saez, for Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Super-cool seeing local outfit Sam-Son Farm represented too this past weekend with Say the Word and Zadracarta Stakes winner Desert Isle. Trainer Graham Motion and his beautiful family also graced us with their presence!

I’ll admit, one of the reasons I came to Saratoga was to see striking filly Covfefe run in the Grade I Test Stakes. Owned by LNJ Foxwoods, the super-fast daughter of Into Mischief, fought gamely to win the race over Kentucky Oaks champion Serengeti Empress. Named after a cryptic and non-sensical Tweet by Donald Trump, the Brad Cox-trainee is the gift that keeps on giving. Loved meeting her overjoyed and teary-eyed Co-Owner, the magnetic Jaime Roth en route to the Winner’s Circle!  Only in Saratoga would you run into Cox having Fish & Chips at a pub the night after!

The big winner of the day was Bob Baffert charge McKinzie, taking the $1.2 million Whitney Handicap under legendary Mike Smith in a hand ride over Bill Mott-trained Yoshida (JPN). Going-off as the choice, the four-year-old son of Street Sense defied Saratoga‘s reputation as being the Graveyard of Favourites.

___________________________________________

While a little bit drained from the heat and being on our feet all weekend, we had just enough left for our last day in Saratoga, the Sunday. We couldn’t leave without seeing the scenic Clare Court Jogging Track.

And also we couldn’t help but admire the track’s new building extension and its gorgeous copper roof!

In addition to it being Legends Day, where several iconic jockeys came out to sign autographs in support of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance also came out to present the first race, won by Daphne Moon (by Cairo Prince), trained by Jeremiah Englehart.

Some legends we spotted this weekend:

D. Wayne Lukas
 
Laffit Pincay
 
NYRA Announcer Larry Collmus
 
Jerry Bailey
 
Angel Cordero Jr… it took literally three asks before he did it, over two days!!
 
Richard Migliore
 

Our own Sandy Hawley and his partner Kaoru Tsuchiya-Hawley, also came out for an appearance Legends Day!

 

Some future legends:

Manny Franco
 
Chris Landeros
 
Kendrick Carmouche
 
Jamaica‘s Georgina Stergeon
 

Fools Gold took the Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes on the turf for Team Chad Brown, under Javier Castellano. She is by Medaglia d’Oro out of Woodbine-based mare Moment of Majesty. 

 

Woodbine-based filly Get Explicit, trained by Barb Minshall, ran a huge race to get second under Ricardo Santana Jr. Minshall‘s Assistant Chad Elder and Sovereign Award-winning Groom Dexter Brathwaite were present. We hear she’s being pointed for the Grade I E.P. Taylor Stakes this October at Woodbine.

 

The inaugural Saratoga Derby was taken by longshot A Thread of Blue, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Luis Saez.

 

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And lastly, this trip wouldn’t have been amazing without the amazing people! So lucky to have an awesome travel buddy in Julie who knew all the spots to hit-up and how to navigate Saratoga. And it was a blessing I went at a time so many of friends were around. Loved seeing so many smiling faces, familiar and new, who made this feel like home away from home! Thank you also to the NYRA for the warm welcome!

 

Gallop

 

Snickers

 

Ren Hakim Carothers

 

Jude Feld, Mike & Michelle Penna

 

George Hills

 

Julie, Keith McCalmont (formerly of Woodbine), Bailey Gallison and I

 

Kim, Sherrie Courtney, Acacia Courtney and I 

Alysse Jacobs & Carmen Barrera, whom we are saddened to hear had passed away yesterday – our condolences to all who were touched by her bright spirit 

Bri Mott 

Jenna Bray, Lakin and Braelyn 

Sarah Volpe & Juan Bernardini Calderon – please remember to support our GoFundMe for Conquest Daddyo right here.  

Julie, Sheri Riddoch, Sienna and I 

Barb Livingston

 

Sean Patrick Nolan 

Nicole Russo

 

Nick Bush

 

Wesley Lawrence, Liz Kruska, Dan Tordjman

 

Penelope Miller

 

I don’t believe our friend Penelope Miller of America’s Best Racing, convinced us to do this. And no it didn’t so great. Nope. I should’ve seen the warning signs when others told me to drink this mineral-rich Saratoga Springs water, yet I didn’t see them drinking it!

 

 

We did a little something for America’s Best Racing. We can’t say what, but look out for it!

 

Looks like @mrwillw is keeping busy at Saratoga! Here he is filming with @ABRLive 😊 pic.twitter.com/dbrR3WYHuC

— Julie Wright (@reddogcw) August 3, 2019

 

Complete Facebook Album can be found here. 
 
See you at The Spa! 

 

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Julie Wright)

Saratoga