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NYRA Cares: Floral Blankets and the making of a Saratoga tradition

by NYRA Press Office

Susan Garrett remembers the exact moment that she set in motion what has become one of the most striking traditions of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course.

The Wilton, New York resident had just watched Sea Hero triumph in the 1993 Travers, when during winner’s circle ceremony, she wondered why no floral blanket was draped over the winning horse’s back.

“It struck me that there was no floral blanket for the Travers, a race that certainly deserved one,” recalled Garrett, who owned a flower shop at the time. “I was looking at all the major stakes races in the country from the Kentucky Derby to the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. They all had commemorative blankets. So, why didn’t we have one for a race as prestigious as the Travers?”

Garrett called officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to ask why – and got an equally compelling question in return. “They asked, ‘Why don’t you make one?’” she recalled. So starting in 1994, Garrett did – kicking off a new tradition at Saratoga –which this summer, more than a quarter century later, will continue for the winner of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers [on August 28], as well as those of 10 other graded stakes races at the Spa.

Those races are almost exclusively Grade 1 races, starting with the Diana – the meet’s first Grade 1 – and will include the Coaching Club American Oaks, Whitney, Longines Test, Saratoga Derby Invitational, Alabama, Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer, Flower Bowl and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Also earning a floral blanket will be the winner of the Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational on August 8.

For Justify’s 2018 Triple Crown triumph, Garrett, now the proprietor of “Champion Floral Blankets by Susan,” expanded her business to Belmont Stakes Day. That year, she and a group of volunteer friends began putting together the commemorative blanket for the winner of the Belmont Stakes and another for the Secretariat statue in the Belmont Park paddock.

The blankets are works of art. Intricately designed and tightly packing anywhere from 400 to 800 flowers each, they add a dash of color and dose of glamor to the Saratoga summer. At America’s most iconic racetrack, Garrett’s floral blankets are worthy additions to venerable Spa-centric traditions such as the Travers canoe and winner’s circle bell.

To make the blanket for the winner of the 153rd edition of the Runhappy Travers, Garrett and her team will use mostly red carnations with white ones for the border — Saratoga colors. Carnations, Garrett said, are good flowers to use for the blankets because they’re hearty and able to withstand the summer heat.

For the $600,000 Alabama on August 21, the flower makers will use red and white carnations as well – but with a base of white carnations and a red border to resemble the design of the Alabama State Flag. Garrett has been creating the Alabama blanket since 2016 when Hall of Famer Mike Smith – also the jockey aboard Justify for his Triple Crown run – won the Grade 1 race for the nation’s top 3-year-old fillies on Songbird, whose silks were red and white as well.

“All that red and white made quite a picture,” said Garrett.

For the $1 million Whitney on August 7, Garrett and her team of volunteers will create a design using about 450 of the pink Mary Lou Whitney Roses – and follow the tried-and-true process they have to come to use in putting together all their blankets.

Each design begins several weeks out when Garrett designs and sews a lightweight blanket to which the flowers will be attached and adds an emblem embroidered by Walton’s Sports in Wilton. Dehn’s Flowers in Saratoga orders the flowers, which arrive at the Beekman Street shop two days before the team gathers to assemble the blanket.

The flowers are cut and placed in buckets of water until they open to the desired fullness and are then stored in coolers. The night prior to race day, the blanket team hand-sews each flower to the pre-made quilt. By the early morning of race day, they add the final touches and deliver the blankets to Saratoga Race Course, where it goes directly into refrigeration units behind the Shake Shack stand until post time. Timing for Belmont Stakes Day is a little different; the team finishes the night before and the blankets are driven in a refrigerated truck south to Belmont Park.

“We have the process down,” said Garrett.

Garrett said she takes pride in creating and building her unusual business and relishes the comradery of her friends who come together to help put together the blankets. That’s especially true this year with Saratoga Race Course set to return to full capacity.

“Like a lot of people in Saratoga, I can’t wait,” Garrett said. “We’re really looking to a great year.”

Garrett is part of what she called the “entrepreneurial spirit” of people who build businesses connected to the track. Garrett’s own family owns the Wishing Well restaurant, a longtime favorite of the racing crowd, which her parents, Bob and Brenda Lee, once ran; and Bob and Mary Alice Lee, Garrett’s brother and sister-in-law, now own. The family also owns the Brook Tavern, across Union Avenue from Saratoga Race Course.

What happens to the blankets that go home with the winners? The first Travers blanket, from Holy Bull’s win in 1994, went to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Otherwise, they are usually hung in the winning stable’s shed row so the whole team can share the victory. Some blankets are even auctioned for charity, and from Garrett occasionally sees on social media, “people sometimes end up dancing with the blankets, all in good fun.” Still, others ask for silk replicas of their winning floral blankets.

“Those blankets take on a life of their own,” said Garrett. “As for me, making those blankets has become my little niche, my ‘15 minutes of fame." “After all, there’s nothing better than seeing your handiwork on the back of a Champion,” she added. “It’s a really fun part of the Saratoga summer. I really enjoy it.”

Five furlongs with…Vanessa Rodriguez Payne, the New York Racing Association community relations manager

The Community Outreach Booth at Saratoga Race Course will return for the 2021 summer meet, highlighting a total of 40 non-profits throughout each live race day at the historic race track. The booth allows community groups to share information about their work and fundraising initiatives. NYRA will also prominently feature its Community Partner of the Day in the Post Parade racing program which will be available for purchase at select retail locations across the Capital Region as well as throughout the New York City metropolitan area.

This month’s edition of five furlongs discusses the Community Outreach Booth initiative with Vanessa Rodriguez Payne, the community relations manager for the New York Racing Association, on the importance of the booth and how organizations can get involved in the meet that starts Thursday, July 15 and concludes Labor Day, September 6.

Another summer meet at Saratoga Race Course means the return of the community booth on site. After not having spectators on site last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, how important is it to have the community booth back on track to help support non-profits in the area? 

“It’s exciting to be able to come back and host community groups at the track again. I believe this is a great way to slowly go back to some normalcy. It’s very important to NYRA to be able to uplift and bring awareness to our community surrounding our tracks.” 

What are some examples of non-profits in the past using the community booth to help raise awareness for their mission? 

“As in years past, the program will highlight dozens of non-profits, service providers and local organizations by sharing information about their work and fundraising initiatives with fans. For each of the 40 live racing days of the meet, a different non-profit will spend a day in the Community Outreach Booth to fund raise and share information about their organization with thousands of racing fans. Participating non-profits this season include thoroughbred aftercare organizations such as the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation; and industry partners such as the Backstretch Employee Service Team and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.”

Where is the community booth located and what can an organization expect when utilizing the booth for their assigned day? 

“The Community Outreach Booth will once again be in its on-track location, alongside the Jockey Silks Room near the Union Avenue main entrance. We expect all types of different organization from aftercare groups to health awareness groups. We’re excited to host everyone on track.”

For non-profits interested in participating in the community booth, what is the best way to get involved? 

“All you have to do is reach out via email at [email protected], complete the Community Booth form and we try to accommodate the best way we can. It’s an easy process.” 

How important is the community booth in helping NYRA develop a stronger relationship with non-profits in the Capital Region? 

“It’s very important to us to be able to connect with our audience and the community surrounding our tracks. While also encouraging our fans to support their each mission.”

In the community...

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America will again be offering a Summer Enrichment Program at Belmont after the program was well-received when implemented in 2020 to fulfill the local need for a summer program due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  With many backstretch families reaming at Belmont during the summer, the program will continue even when racing commences at Saratoga, with programs going on at both tracks. For more information on the program and to contribute to it mission and sponsor a child, visit https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MT... 

A helping hand

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Belmont Child Care Association's Saratoga-based Faith's House on Wednesday, July 14 at 1 p.m. The ceremony will commemorate the opening of the new childcare center serving families and children of the backstretch community at Saratoga Race Course. Faith's House is located at 267 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Please RSVP to [email protected] by July 9.

About NYRA Cares

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), which holds the exclusive franchise to conduct thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, sponsors its NYRA Cares initiative to support the charitable endeavors of industry-related non-profits, service providers and community groups.

In New York, NYRA has long provided sustaining financial contributions to deepen the impact of the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST), the Racetrack Chaplaincy of New York and the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA). 

NYRA Cares partners with national organizations such as the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program among others. 

The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is marked by a number of special events and community partnerships sponsored and supported by NYRA. These include the annual Belmont/Elmont Parade, the jockey visit to the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island and the Belmont Stakes Blue Ribbon Run for Prostate Cancer. 

Day 1 of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is highlighted by NYRA 's annual "Community Day", which will take place in 2021 on June 3. Community Day shines a light on the mission and goals of regional non-profits and service providers who set up informational booths and participate in various activities designed to raise awareness and funding for their efforts.

At historic Saratoga Race Course, NYRA Cares’ signature initiative is the Community Outreach Booth, which each season highlights a total of 40 local and industry non-profit organizations by providing them with a unique platform to share information about their work and fundraising initiatives. One non-profit per day of the summer racing season receives the exclusive opportunity to interact with the thousands of guests who visit Saratoga Race Course. The Community Partner of the Day is also featured in the Post Parade racing program and on televisions throughout the venue. 

To learn more about NYRA Cares, visit: https://www.nyrainc.com/community.