Weather,tradition draw fans to Saratoga Race Course Thursday

The Bloomingdales have made attending opening day at the track a multi-generational tradition, even as Scott Bloomingdale has lived in Florida for around a decade.

His son Nick said he always comes up to keep up the tradition. It’s also tradition that has included Nick’s son Connor for the last three years.

“I used to come up with my mother,” said Scott Bloomingdale.

Nick Bloomingdale said he loves getting to spend the time together and Connor is always happy.

Connor spent the day trying to help his dad and grandpa pick winning horses while playing with his own stuffed horse, who he named Mr. Fred.

From Stillwater, the family said a lot of people come up from that area, including Scott Daigle Sr., someone they knew nearby Thursday, who happened to be celebrating turning 63.

He, his brothers, other family and friends had gone golfing in the morning but were watching the races in the afternoon, enjoying drinks and, of course, the day wasn’t complete without the family singing ‘Happy Birthday.’

Diagle, who was a bit shy, said he didn’t mind enjoying the day with everyone.

Jessica Martino said her family decided to come up from Rockland County as part of their vacation. She said they had planned to go to Florida but with beautiful weather decided it was time to visit a place that has so many fond moments for her husband Phil.

Phil Martino started coming to the races when he was his daughter Jess Marie’s age — 10.

“This is the first time in like five or six years since I’ve been back,” Phil Martino said.

Growing up, Phil Martino would go to the track with his grandfather, who died around five years ago.

“I want to start new traditions with my family,” he said.

The family came decked out for the day with the women wearing dresses, down to 6-month-old Lilliana Martino who also sported a headband with a little bow.

Texas couple Jordan and Kelsey O’Hara were visiting the track for the first time, even though Kelsey grew up near the Charles Town Races Town Slots in West Virginia and Jordan always heard about Saratoga from his grandma.

“My grandma is always talking this up,” Jordan O’Hara said.

The couple is staying at their family camp on Great Sacandaga Lake and decided they would regret not coming to the track while on vacation because it was such a nice day.

Jordan O’Hara said they called his grandma to tell them they were heading to the track for the day.

“She was so excited,” he said.