New Saratoga street sign honors late-philanthropist Marylou Whitney

Gov. Hochul celebrated part of Travers weekend Friday by honoring a woman well-known to the world of horseracing and the Saratoga Race Course.

Hochul was joined by backstretch workers to unveil the new highway sign marking the portion of Union Avenue, now renamed Marylou Whitney Way.

Passing the track will now mean riding on the road named in her honor.

Whitney was an icon – a philanthropist dedicated to improving the lives of children, backstretch workers and horses.

Her horses were fixtures at the Travers Stakes, so it’s only fitting to honor her this Travers Weekend.

Before Whitney passed away in 2019, she donated millions of dollars to improve the lives of the backstretch workers at the track, and to other charities in the area.

The governor called her a strong woman, who changed people’s lives.

Hear what she had to say about Whitney by watching the video of Stella Porter’s story.