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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL
VOL. 31 NO. 04
www.saratogabusinessjournal.com
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JUNE 2026
Saratoga Looks To Build On Belmont Momentum During Summer Racing Season BY PAUL POST Golden Tempo’s dramatic come-frombehind Belmont Stakes victory set the stage for what promises to be an exciting summer season at Saratoga Race Course. Trainer Cherie DeVaux, a Saratoga Springs native, made history by becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby and the first to win multiple Triple Crown races. DeVaux has already mapped out a schedule targeting the $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Saturday, Aug. 29, which should no doubt bring huge throngs to the Spa. “I think the timing is perfect for Golden Tempo to run in the Travers,” said longtime fan Mike Campanile of Long Island. “He is only getting better and the two-plus months between races is perfect. Then it’s almost exactly two months to the Breeders’ Cup. I hope he stays sound.” Campanile, along with family and friends, is among the legions of visitors who help make Saratoga Race Course one of the Capital Region’s most significant economic engines. Each day of racing generates an estimated $9 million economic impact. So the benefit from this year’s 51-day schedule is almost half a billion dollars. Such activity includes direct spending and broader ripple effects, giving a huge boost to local businesses such as hotels, restaurants and retail stores. Local government revenue increased, too. “From 2023, before we hosted the Belmont festival, to 2024, we saw an increase in sales tax collections in Saratoga County,” said Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “They rose again in 2025. The same is true for revenue-per-available hotel room in the city and county. Where people stay is where they spend their money and more people stayed here so sales tax collections went up.”
Jockey Jose Ortiz crosses the finish line with Golden Tempo to win the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on June 6. Trainer Cherie DeVaux is expected to enter the champion 3-year-old in the $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Saturday, Aug. 29. Courtesy NYRA
The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will return to New York City next spring following its three-year run in Saratoga while Belmont Park underwent a major overhaul. But the benefit to the Saratoga area will be felt for years to come. Three-year attendance at the Belmont festival totaled 334,893 and accounted for almost $560 million in total wagering. But the worldwide publicity the event created is virtually priceless for the area’s tourism and hospitality industry. “The 2026 Belmont Stakes was a fitting conclusion to a memorable and historic three-year period at Saratoga Race Course,” said Patrick McKenna, New York Racing Association vice president of communications. “Thanks to the enthusiastic support
from fans and the collaborative efforts from city and county leadership, the Belmont was a celebration of what makes racing in Saratoga so special. While the Belmont Stakes will return to its Long Island home in 2027, the final jewel of the Triple Crown will always be a part of Saratoga’s rich history.” “Beyond the thrilling performances ontrack, the event drove important economic impact for Saratoga Springs and the Capital Region while highlighting Saratoga’s tourism attractions to a national television audience,” he said. In addition to five days of top-flight racing, the festival attracted thousands of people to the city with entertainment such as a free Belmont on Broadway concert.
“The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival definitely exceeded expectations both on and off the track,” Discover Saratoga President Darryl Leggieri said. “Over three years, we welcomed visitors from across the country and around the world, generated demand for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and retail businesses, and showcased Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County on an international stage. The event reinforced what we’ve long known locally, that Saratoga is capable of hosting world-class events while delivering an exceptional visitor experience.” “One of the most important long-term benefits of Belmont has been the exposure,” he said. “The worldwide media coverage introduced Saratoga to audiences who may have never previously considered visiting. While the immediate economic impact during race week was substantial, the lasting value comes from elevating Saratoga’s profile as a premier destination for tourism, meetings, events, cultural experiences, and future investment.” Saratoga Economic Development Corp. President Greg Connor said racing’s financial benefit extends far beyond hospitality and tourism. Capital investors who have come to Saratoga Springs and the region “follow up with us after the racing season is over for other economic opportunities,” he said. SEDC has executed four nondisclosure agreements on potential capital investments that officials hope will come to Saratoga County as a result of international, national and regional attention generated by the Belmont Stakes festival. “The work continues,” Connor said. Forty-six more days of racing are on tap this summer, starting with the July 4th Racing Festival from Friday, July 3, to Sunday, July 5. The Spa Oval will then host a series of four-day racing weeks, Thursday through Sunday, from Thursday, July 9, to Continued On Page 11
The Children’s Museum At Saratoga Advances Parillo’s Sausage In The Process Of Significant Expansion With Historic $750,000 Gift Growth Under Leadership Of Third Generation The Children’s Museum at Saratoga announced a $750,000 gift from the Esler Family, the largest gift in the organization’s history, for its $1.3 million capital campaign. The gift brings the campaign total to $1.05 million and will support the Esler Family Room and other changes intended to serve children, families, educators and community partners. The museum relocated to the Lincoln Baths in 2021 and has expanded exhibits and programs. Recent projects include an interactive train station in the lobby, a universally accessible playground and an outdoor learning space. The campaign will fund an Adirondackinspired Esler Family Room and allow the museum to reconfigure space for staff and operations. The museum said its staff has grown from five to 18 employees over the past five years as visitation, programming and community engagement increased. The Esler Family Room will be used for field trips, hands-on learning and museum programs. It also will provide a lunch area for visiting school groups. “This gift represents an investment in the future of the Museum and the families we serve,” said Sarah Smith, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. “As our programs and attendance continue to grow, so does the need for
spaces that support meaningful learning experiences. The Esler Family's generosity allows us to create an exciting new environment for children while ensuring we have the resources and infrastructure necessary to continue serving our community for years to come.” “The Children’s Museum at Saratoga represents everything we believe learning should be; joyful, curious, hands-on, and accessible,” said Matt Esler, CEO of Esler Companies, and more importantly “Grandpa.” “This commitment is about investing in a place that sparks imagination and confidence in children, not just for today, but for generations to come. We’re proud to support an organization that has such a meaningful and lasting impact on families throughout Saratoga County and far beyond.” The Esler Family has been museum members for three years. “As grandparents and members of the Saratoga Community, we’ve watched the Museum grow and evolve, and we’ve seen the way it brings families together across generations,” said Kristen Esler, Founder of the Thirty Year Farm and of course “Grandma.” “Whether it’s a child’s first visit, a school field trip, or a grandparent sharing a special day with their grandchild, Continued On Page 2
BY ROD BACON “Three generations of flavor, tradition, and heart.” For Marisa Parillo Rahman, this tagline encapsulates everything she loves about the family-owned Saratoga Springs company she has been running since November 2024, after her father, Marc Parillo, died. When Rahman assumed leadership of the business, she had plans to significantly expand its market and upgrade its facility to meet U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. “We’re one hundred percent at code with the city, state, and federal government,” she said. “The equipment required to make the sausage has been upgraded and we’re in the process of making improvements to the building.” Latham Roofing & Siding installed a new roof, the bathroom and office have been renovated, new appliances have been purchased, electrical service has been upgraded, and some interior painting has been done. Future plans call for the repair of a large walk-in freezer that will allow for the storage of large quantities of product. Ernie LaBounty, a longtime employee of Marc Parillo’s, has been named manager to oversee day-to-day operations. He is responsible for all aspects of making the sausage, as well as running the pop-up grills held in the company’s parking lot each Friday and Satur-
Marisa Parillo Rahman and Jack O’Callaghan stand at Parillo’s Sausages summer pop-up grill. Saratoga Business Journal
day through the summer. He also greets walkin customers when Rahman is not available. The business is cyclical, with high points occurring during the summer, as well as around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Continued On Page 10