Senator Daphne Jordan’s bipartisan legislation designating “Marylou Whitney Way” in Saratoga Springs passes State Senate

Bipartisan legislation honors the incredible life and legacy of Marylou Whitney whose generosity, philanthropy, and spirit touched countless lives, improved the quality of life for so many, and helped establish Saratoga and the Saratoga Race Course as a premier designation for racing

Albany, NY – New York State Senator Daphne Jordan (R,C,I-Halfmoon), Ranking Member of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, today proudly announced that her bipartisan legislation designating a portion of the state highway system in the City of Saratoga Springs as the “Marylou Whitney Way” passed the State Senate during today’s session.

Senator Jordan’s bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill S.6738, amends the State Highway Law to rename a portion of Route 9P, also known as Union Avenue, in Saratoga Springs to “Marylou Whitney Way.” Senator Jordan’s measure successfully passed the Senate today by a vote of 62-1. The companion legislation, Assembly Bill A.7625, is sponsored by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake), is pending before the Assembly Transportation Committee, and needs to be passed by the Assembly.

For decades, Marylou Whitney was a monumental, highly respected, and genuinely beloved figure in Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, the Capital Region, and the horse racing community statewide and nationwide. In addition to her legendary philanthropic accomplishments on behalf of backstretch workers and retired thoroughbreds, Marylou Whitney played an important part in shaping Saratoga County’s future growth and success.

Marylou Whitney’s countless philanthropic, community-minded contributions include a key role in ensuring that the historic Saratoga Race Course remained open. Thanks to her dedicated efforts and principled advocacy, the Saratoga Meet typically draws more than a million attendees annually. Her horses were a regular fixture at both the Belmont and Travers Stakes, and she claimed victories in both throughout her long, accomplished, and distinguished career as an owner.

“Marylou had a lot of loves in her life, but Saratoga was her most important love. She loved Saratoga because of the people. She would be thrilled that a part of Saratoga is being named after her and I can’t thank Senator Daphne Jordan and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner enough,” said John Hendrickson. 

“The ‘Marylou Whitney way’ was all about helping others and making a genuine difference for her community. Marylou Whitney’s incredible life and legacy of selfless service and supporting Saratoga County will forever be remembered, recognized, and honored. Marylou Whitney’s tireless philanthropic works, her successful advocacy on behalf of backstretch workers, her championing of Saratoga racing and our Saratoga Race Course, her continued generosity toward countless local organizations including SPAC, Saratoga Hospital, and so many more, are enduring testaments to her character and endless spirit of community and compassion. All of the incredible good works advanced by Marylou Whitney helped make our Saratoga community the wonderful place that it is today. It is our privilege to name the Marylou Whitney Way to honor the memory, generosity, and compassion of this true public leader and incredible person who made a genuine difference, Saratoga’s Marylou Whitney,” Senator Daphne Jordan said.

The State Highway System to be designated as the Marylou Whitney Way constitutes a section of State Route 9P in the City of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, starting at the intersection with I-87, continuing in a generally westerly direction and terminating at the intersection with Nelson Avenue. Specifically, the portion of Route 9P being renamed through Senator Jordan’s bipartisan legislation is the segment of Route 9P running directly adjacent to the Saratoga Race Course, as well as the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which Marylou Whitney played a vital role in restoring. This portion of the City of Saratoga Springs will forever be associated with Marylou Whitney and the countless contributions she left to the region. It is wholly appropriate that the state recognize Marylou Whitney’s considerable and positive impact by naming that stretch of State Route 9P in her honor, as established under Senator Jordan’s bipartisan legislation enacted by the Senate today and requiring Assembly passage.

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