Description
We honor Mrs. Marylou Whitney with this year’s ornament to highlight the depth and breadth of how she touched our community. From the instrumental roles she played in the inception of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, National Museum of Dance, Saratoga Backstretch Appreciation Program and Centennial Park (now renamed Marylou Whitney Park) to her philanthropy supporting our Hospital and so many other community charitable causes, she became a beloved citizen of Saratoga Springs. With her love and revitalization of racing, the Saratoga Race Track and the National Museum of Racing, it seems natural to name the clubhouse entrance to the racecourse in her honor (depicted here). Also at the entrance will be two jockey statues in Whitney stable colors in recognition of her famous colt, Birdstone, and his two wins at the Belmont and Travers stakes races in 2004. They will be welcoming racing devotees for years to come. Her life and the incredible way she lived with grace and generosity leaves an enduring legacy for all. Her dedication to our city led to her nickname the “Queen of Saratoga”. It could have easily been the ‘Heart’ or ‘Soul’ of Saratoga. With her passing, our lives will never be the same.
