SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — In honor of the upcoming Belmont Stakes, The Saratogian asked Five Questions to Michael Dubb. Dubb is a partner of The Adelphi Hotel and Residences; a board member of New York Racing Association (NYRA); founder and CEO of The Beechwood Organization; and chairman of Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA).
1. What do you enjoy most about horse racing?
“There are two very enjoyable dimensions of this sport for me. One is the camaraderie between the owners, the trainers, the jockeys and most importantly, the people on the back stretch who care for the horses. Then of course, there is the star attraction. The horses are majestic, beautiful and powerful animals. They can also be gentle. I’ve been known to sneak some peppermints to the horses whenever I visit the stables.”
2. Tell us a little about the Belmont Childcare Association and Faith’s House. Why is this subject important to you?
“As a horseman, I became aware that the children of the backstretch didn’t have a place for adequate care when their parents were hard at work taking care of the horses. Many of these parents start as early as dawn and some kids were sleeping in cars. It moved me to want to do something. First came the idea of Anna House, which was established 25 years ago at Belmont Park.
“As a home builder, I donated labor and materials to build the full-scale childcare and early childhood education facility. It is a safe haven for children ages six months to five years old. They come in wearing diapers, graduate in cap and gown and in between, learn computer skills, writing, reading, arts and crafts and gardening. The kids leave with a strong foundation, ready to take on the world as they enter elementary school.
“To accommodate the needs of backstretch workers and their families in Saratoga Springs, I built Faith’s House near the Oklahoma Training Track. It opened in 2021 and offers similar services as Anna House. Children are now able to receive quality day care 365 days a year, no matter where the horses are running.”
3. What are you most looking forward to during the Belmont Festival in June?
“It could not be more exciting for our beloved race course and city to host the Belmont Stakes. The timing is especially exciting for me. As a developer, I have seen an increase in inquiries to tour The Residences at The Adelphi Hotel during the festival, which coincides with the first owners moving in. Welcoming the new owners into their luxury homes, at the same time as the once in a lifetime spectacle of the Belmont being at Saratoga, makes it a doubly special occasion.”
4. Belmont coming to Saratoga will give racing fans a rare opportunity to attend a Triple Crown race. Do you have any advice for fans who are interested in going?
“With attendance capped at 50,000 people, the day itself should be no different than the Travers. Just wear comfortable clothing, leave a little extra time for parking and enjoy the day. I also recommend racing fans use this as an opportunity to take advantage of all Saratoga Springs has to offer, including its rich history, terrific restaurants and lively downtown. Even if you live in the area, it is an experience that further shows makes Saratoga so special.”
5. What sort of impact do you expect the Belmont Festival to have on NYRA’s operations?
“The Belmont Festival should have an overwhelmingly positive economic impact on the city of Saratoga, perhaps to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. I also believe the Belmont Stakes being in Saratoga will raise the profile of the third leg of the Triple Crown even higher than ever before.”
