>> THE SARATOGA RACE COURSE WASN’T THE FIRST RACETRACK IN THE COUNTRY BUT IT IS CONSIDERED BY MANY TO BE THE FIRST ORGANIZED RACING VENUE IN THE U.S.
FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FLOCKING HERE FOR THE RACES.
BUT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY UNIQUE THING THAT MAKES SARATOGA SPECIAL.
WITH A QUAINT DOWNTOWN THAT BUZZES MUCH LOUDER THAN ITS YEAR-ROUND POPULATION OF NEARLY 30,000, SARATOGA SPRINGS, ABOUT 30 MINUTES NORTH OF ALBANY, HAS AN UPSCALE FEEL, RICH IN LARGE
AMOUNTS OF BUBBLY.
>> THIS IS ONE OF THE ONLY PLACES EAST OF THE ROCKIES THAT HAS COLD, NATURALLY CARBONATED MINERAL SPRINGS.
IT INFUSES THE WATER WITH CARBONATION.
>> THE MINERAL SPRINGS, AND UNDERGROUND MODEL THAT BRIMS OVER ON LAND.
THE SPRINGS LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR A CITY THAT WOULD DRAW WEALTHY BUSINESSMEN AND COMMON FOLK ALIKE FOR THEIR HEALING PROPERTIES.
>> PEOPLE CAME HERE TO HEAL IN THE WATERS.
THEY WERE TOLD THEY COULD SOLVE MEDICAL AILMENTS BY DRINKING THE WATERS.
>> 24 HUNDRED ACRES OF OPEN SPACE, MUSEUMS, MUSIC VENUES, AND A TASTE UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE.
>> WE HAVE LOTS OF MAGNESIUM, IRON, AND CALCIUM IN THE WATER, AS WELL AS SALT.
COMBINE THOSE TOGETHER AND IT IS HARD TO DESCRIBE.
>> THE FOUNTAINS DO NOT REALLY SLOW.
THEY SORT OF GURGLED.
PEOPLE START TO WONDER, SHOULD THEY DRINK IT?
>> THEY CAN.
>> THEY CAN AND THEY DO, MANY FILLING UP BEFORE HITTING THE 12 MILES OF TRAILS.
>> THIS IS ABOUT 300 FEET IN THE GROUND WHERE SOME OF THE SALT IS.
I THINK YOU ARE BRAVE IF YOU TRY IT.
>> IT KIND OF TASTES LIKE YOU ARE LICKING A PENNY.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT.
>> IF YOU ARE NOT INTO LICKING PENNIES, HOW ABOUT A DIP IN THIS?
IT OPENED IN 1930 FIVE, DEDICATED BY PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT, A PROPONENT OF CURATIVE MINERAL BATHS.
THE BADDEST FELL INTO DOES USE AND EVENTUALLY CLOSED IN THE 1980’S.
AFTER -- DISUSE AND EVENTUALLY CLOSED IN THE 1980’S.
AFTER EXTENSIVE RENOVATIONS, THEY REOPENED.
>> THE HALLS STILL SPEAK TO THE GEORGIAN REVIVAL STYLE, AND THE CUBS -- TUBS ARE ORIGINAL.
THE COLOR MIGHT THROW YOU OFF, BUT IT IS THE RESULT OF OXIDIZATION, WHICH MIGHT BE THE KEY.
>> PEOPLE COME IN TO GET RELIEF.
>> FROM HOT BATHS TO A SIZZLING SARATOGA SENSATION.
>> PATTIES IS A SARATOGA INSTITUTION.
IT WAS STARTED BY A WOMAN NAMED PATTY WHO WAS THE CARETAKER FOR A FAMILY.
>> JASPER ALEXANDER HAS BEEN THE CHEF AND OWNER OF PATTY’S RESTAURANT FOR JUST SHY OF -- PATTY’S RESTAURANT FOR JUST SHY OF TWO DECADES.
IT WAS THIS WOMAN, HATTIE, WHO FIRST OPENED THE DOORS AFTER PUTTING DOWN EVERY PENNY TO HER NAME, 33 DOLLARS.
>> SHE WOULD SLEEP IN THE PANTRY.
SHE DIDN’T LET ANYONE GO HUNDRED -- HUNGRY.
SHE WOULD BRING PEOPLE IN OFF THE STREET AND GIVE THEM JOBS.
FRIED PORK CHOPS, FRIED SHRIMP, CHICKEN, OF COURSE.
>> FRIED CHICKEN.
THE CRUNCH FACTOR GETS A 10.
>> STILL THE BEST SELLER IN THIS DOWN-HOME RESTAURANT.
>> IT HAS A NATURAL, HOMEY FEEL.
>> ALEXANDER SAYS THE SECRET TO LONGEVITY IS FINDING A BALANCE BETWEEN BEING STEWARDS OF HISTORY WHILE REMAINING CURRENT.
>> IT’S VERY SIMPLE.
THE PRESENTATION IS SIMPLE.
BUT THE QUALITY IS THERE.
>> CUISINE THAT NOW INCLUDES CHICKEN AND WAFFLES WITH A SPICY MAPLE SYRUP.
JAMBALAYA.
CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS.
DON’T FORGET THE BEIGNETS, AND TO WASH IT ALL DOWN, KEY LIME PIE.
YES, PLEASE.
YOU CANNOT VISIT SARATOGA WITHOUT CONSTANT AND FAIRLY UNSUBTLE REMINDERS OF THE CALL OF THE RACES.
THE TRACK WAS CLOSED DURING OUR VISIT, BUT JUST AROUND THE CORNER IS THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING AND HALL OF FAME.
DRAPED IN ALL THE PAGEANTRY THAT HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH THE SPORT.
>> WE STARTING COLONIAL TIMES, GO PRE-CIVIL WAR, POST-CIVIL WAR, 20TH CENTURY.
IT GIVES YOU A HISTORY OF THE SPORT IN AMERICA.
>> FROM THE EVOLUTION OF THE SADDLE TO THE WINNERS CIRCLE AND A CHANCE TO CAL A REAL RACE, IT’S A PLACE THAT LEAVES YOU ALMOST ABLE TO HEAR THE THRILLING TIERS OF RACE DAY.
THE MUSIC -- CHEERS OF RACE DAY.
THE MUSEUM ALSO SERVES AS A HALL OF FAME FOR JOCKEYS, TRAINERS, AND PILLARS OF THE SPORT.
>> WE HAVE 400 59 INDUCTEES IN THE ROOM COULD ONLY HOLD SO MUCH.
>> THE SOLUTION?
HIGH TECH, A TOUCHSCREEN.
AN INTERACTIVE PLAQUE WITH PICTURES AND VIDEOS, AND IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL, A THEATRICAL AND STUNNING DISPLAY OF WHAT IT TAKES TO REACH THESE HALLOWED WALLS OF