WINNERS CROWNED AT 21ST ANNUAL SARATOGA RACE COURSE HAT CONTEST

**Please see attached photos of the winners of the 21^st annual Hat Contest: Fashionably Saratoga first place winner Veronica Martin; Kreative Kids first place winner Camryn Dunn; and Uniquely Saratoga first place winner Julie Potter. Photo credit Adam Coglianese, NYRA**

 

 

Sunday, July 22, 2012

 

Contact: Dan Silver

dsilver@nyrainc.com

 

Mark Bardack

mbardack@edlewi.com

 

 

winners Crowned at 21^st annual Saratoga Race Course hat contest

 

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The fashionable festivities at Saratoga Race Course were filled with excitement as the Spa capped off its first weekend of the 144^th summer meet with the 21^st annual Hat Contest today.

 

The millinery mayhem unfolded on the track apron Sunday afternoon when more than 150 participants turned out to compete in the contest’s three distinct categories: Uniquely Saratoga, Fashionably Saratoga, and for younger patrons, Kreative Kids.

 

Following the day’s fourth race Julie Potter of Duanesburg, NY, was crowned the winner of the day’s most celebrated category, “Uniquely Saratoga,” which recognizes whimsical and creative hats. Potter received the grand prize of a $500 betting voucher, a $100 gift card to the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa and a silver trophy. Rounding out the category’s finalists was the second place winning duo Tena Bunnell of Greenwich, NY, and Christine Krenzer of East Greenbush, NY; followed by third place winner Darryl Rod of Cheshire, MA. Each finalist received a $50 gift card to the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa and a silver trophy.

 

The day’s most popular category, “Fashionably Saratoga,” brought 78 stylish contestants to the competition each donning their most beautiful hats. Following the third race, Veronica Martin of Great Barrington, MA, was named the day’s most fashionable contestant and awarded a $100 betting voucher, a $100 gift card to the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa and a silver trophy. Freya Smith of Fort Johnson, NY, came in second place and Casey Coyle of Saratoga Springs, NY, ranked third. Each took home a $50 gift card to the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa and a silver trophy. Kelly Honsaker of Schenectady, NY, received honorable mention and was awarded a $50 gift certificate to Bomber’s Burrito Bar.

 

Camryn Dunn of Clearwater, FL, who was in town to visit her grandparents from Latham, NY, claimed the title of most stylish youngster for the second year in a row during the first category of the afternoon, “Kreative Kids,” which is reserved for those 18 and under. Dunn received the prize of a $50 gift card to the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa and an oversized Saratoga Race Course chocolate bar. Isabella Potter of Duanesburg, NY, the daughter of “Uniquely Saratoga” first place winner Julie Potter, finished in second place followed by Mikayla Schaefer of Schenectady, NY, in third place, to each win Saratoga Race Course merchandise and a $20 gift card to the Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa.

 

The day’s winners were selected by a panel of judges, including Kristi Barlette, social media strategist and host of the Times Union lifestyle blog “On the Edge”; Matt Baumgartner, local restaurateur and host of the blog “Friday Puppy”; Mary Darcy, co-founder and editor of Capital Region website AllOverAlbany.com; as well as Kevin Rush and Randi Tyler, co-hosts of the Morning Crew Show on WRVE 99.5 The River.

 

The contest was emceed by NEWS 10 ABC meteorologist Kennie Berg.

 

The annual Hat Contest is the highlight of the three-day “Hats Off to Saratoga” festival which celebrates the arrival of the Saratoga racing season.

 

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