Saratoga County Chamber President: Many Unknowns As Racing Season Expands

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Ian Pickus

Published July 8, 2019 at 12:20 PM EDT

This week, an annual Saratoga Springs tradition is starting early: Saratoga Race Course opens Thursday. The meet is now more than a week longer, with off days on Monday and Tuesday instead of just Tuesday. Local residents and businesses are eager to see how the adjustment by the New York Racing Association will affect the area — as the one-time “August Place To Be” expands into mid-July. Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, spoke with WAMC’s Ian Pickus about the area’s new tourism calendar.

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Ian Pickus

A lifelong resident of the Capital Region, Ian joined WAMC in 2008 and became news director in 2013. He began working on Morning Edition and has produced The Capitol Connection, produced and hosted the Congressional Corner, and several other WAMC programs. Ian can also be heard as the host of the WAMC News Podcast and on The Roundtable and newscasts. Ian holds a BA in English and journalism and an MA in English, both from the University at Albany, where he has taught journalism since 2013.

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