SBJ 9 Broad Street, #7 Glens Falls, NY 12801
SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL
VOL. 29 NO. 12
HH The Business Newspaper of Saratoga County HH
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
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GLENS FALLS, NY 12801 PERMIT #600
FEBRUARY 2025
www.saratogabusinessjournal.com
Saratoga Casino Hotel Kicks Off 84th Harness 2025 Chowderfest Celebrates Record-Breaking Racing Season With $17 Million In Purses Event, Top Chowders, And Community Spirit
Exciting harness racing kicked off its 84th season on February 2 at Saratoga Casino Hotel, featuring 150 race days, $17 million in purses and the 16th Joe Gerrity Jr. Pace, on July 19. Saratoga Casino Hotel announced 84th season on Sunday, February 2. The 2025 schedule at the Spa oval will consist of 150 racing programs running through mid-December. This year, horsemen will compete for over $17 million in purses. The track will also host nine New York Sire Stakes programs featuring the best New York bred horses in the state racing for an additional $1.5 million in purses. The premier event of the season will be the 16th Annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace on Saturday, July 19. With a purse of $250,000 the Gerrity is expected to attract a field of top pacers. Father and son, Mark and Brett Beckwith, will be looking to defend their 2024 training and driver titles. Mark trained 182 winners
Courtesy Jessica Hallett
in 2024, a record number of wins for a trainer in a single season, and 21-year-old driver, Brett, crossed the finish line first 306 times last year. “We are looking forward to another great season of racing,” said Race Secretary, Peter Iovino. “The influx of young reinsmen is bringing a new level of excitement to harness racing at Saratoga Casino Hotel.” The winter, spring and fall schedule will include matinee racing on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and select Wednesdays, post time 12pm. The summer live racing schedule will be Mondays and Tuesdays, post time 12pm and Saturday evenings with a post time 6:45pm. Go to www.saratogacasino.com for Track Announcer Mike Sardella’s race picks, racing recaps and the full live race schedule.
Chowder being served at the 26th Annual Saratoga Chowderfest, where attendees consumed over 109,000 servings and enjoyed a variety of delicious chowders from over 90 local vendors. Discover Saratoga is proud to announce the winners of the 26th Annual Saratoga Chowderfest, held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attendees braved the winter chill to sample an incredible variety of chowders from participating vendors and voted for their favorites. Winners were recognized in eight categories during the Annual Award Ceremony at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m. The 2025 Chowderfest winners are as follows: • People’s Choice 500 bowls or less: Bentley’s Tavern • People’s Choice 501-750 bowls: Ribbon Cafe • People’s Choice 751-1,000 bowls: The Mill on Round Lake
Courtesy Discover Saratoga/IronGlass Productions
• People’s Choice 1,001-1,500 bowls: The Wild Horse • People’s Choice 1,501-2,000 bowls: Henry Street Taproom • People’s Choice 2,001-3,000 bowls: Wheatfields Restaurant & Bar • People’s Choice 3,001-4,000 bowls: Jacob & Anthony’s • People’s Choice 4,001+ bowls: Druthers Brewing Company 2025 Chowderfest Highlights: • 89 vendors, including 13 first-time participants • Over 109,000 bowls of chowder served • Attendance exceeded 30,000+ people “Another wonderful year for Chowderfest,” said Darryl Leggieri, President of DisContinued On Page 14
Leadership Transition Announced At Brookmere And Arbor Spa Host A Premiere GlobalFoundries To Drive Next Growth Phase Wedding Showcase Event March 2nd GlobalFoundries has announced in a recent press release, a major leadership transition set to drive its next phase of growth. Effective April 28, 2025, Dr. Thomas Caulfield will become Executive Chairman, while current Chief Operating Officer Tim Breen is named Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Niels Anderskouv has been appointed President and COO. Dr. Caulfield, who led GlobalFoundries as CEO since 2018—steering the company through a strategic portfolio repositioning and one of the largest semiconductor IPOs in history—will now focus on forging key industry, academic, and government partnerships. Tim Breen, a vital member of the team since 2018, is expected to leverage his extensive operational expertise to drive innovation and performance amid a competitive semiconductor market. The transition also marks the departure of outgoing Chairman Ahmed Yahia, whose over a decade of leadership helped shape GlobalFoundries into a global semiconductor powerhouse. With Breen and Anderskouv’s strong backgrounds in operations and commercial strategy, the company is well-positioned to meet evolving customer demands and enhance its worldwide manufacturing
Tim Breen to Take Helm as CEO and Dr. Thomas Caulfield Named Executive Chairman. Courtesy GlobalFoundries
footprint. This strategic change underscores GlobalFoundries’ commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving industry. For additional details see GlobalFoundries.com
Brookmere in Saratoga Springs, NY is hosting a premiere wedding event on Sunday, March 2 from 11am to 2pm. The new boutique-style hotel, located at 500 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, is opening its doors to engaged couples who are looking to explore Brookmere’s luxurious new venue and connect with a curated group of top industry wedding professionals who will offer exclusive planning resources. Brookmere celebrates their first showcase with tastings, a champagne toast, and an exciting variety of door prizes and giveaways. Entertainer Garland Nelson will be performing live at the event as the Master of Ceremonies. In combination with the Wedding Showcase, Brookmere is offering special room rates for engaged couples who pre-register for the event. These couples can take advantage of an overnight stay on 3/1 or 3/2 and enjoy a special discounted rate. Reservations can be made by calling 1-844-2766563 and using the code SHOW. Wedding professionals from the following categories will be present to provide their expertise to couples who are starting their planning journey or finalizing details: Beauty, Gowns/Formalwear, Cakes/Con-
Discover your dream wedding at the Brookmere Wedding Showcase on March 2nd. fections, DJ/Entertainment, Favors/Gifts, Florists/Flowers, Health and Fitness, Invitations, Live Music/Ceremony Music, Officiant, Photobooth, Photography, Rentals, Specialty, Transportation, and Venue. The Continued On Page 2