News & notes

 When the Saratoga thoroughbred meet opens Thursday, it'll be a homecoming not only for trainer Chad Brown, a native of Mechanicville, but also for jockey Dylan Davis.

The son of retired jockey Robbie Davis, Dylan is a 2011 graduate of Schenectady High (who knew?) who was the leading rider at Aqueduct this winter, and finished 2nd for the Belmont title behind Irad Ortiz, Jr. as that meet ending on Sunday. Something tells me that, armed with this knowledge, local bettors will be watching anyone Dylan rides.

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Three days after missing the cut at the Twin Bridges Championship, Kennedy Swedick was back in the winner's circle on Tuesday.

Swedick captured the NYS Gold Association's Women's Amateur title, carding a 9 under par for the tournament at McGregor Links in Wilton, the same course where she won the state title in late May. Ohip State's Lauren Peter finished 2nd by 1 stroke.

Next up for the teen sensation is the US Junior Girls Amateur tournament at Brandon Dunes in Oregon at the end of the month.

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The NBA has promoted its off-season summer leagues the last few years, even getting cable contracts.

Here in town, some high schools are holding summer scrimmages.

Troy High coach John Keenan opened the doors of Zotto Gym Tuesday, hosting scrimmages vs. Niskayuna and Schalmont. The scrimmages were initially streamed on the school district's YouTube channel, then taken down after the Schalmont scrimmage ended. This is something new at Troy, and might be the start of a trend in Section II to compete with the summer travel leagues. We don't know if they're doing the same for the women.

Update, 9:33 am. The videos have been reposted to YouTube as one entity.

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After scoring 8 runs in the first 4 innings Tuesday, the Tri-City Valleycats thought they were in position to beat the NY Boulders.

Then, the rockslide got them.

Down 8-5 entering the home 4th inning, the Boulders took the lead with 4 runs against Tom Kretzler (Colonie/Herkimer), and never looked back. Their bullpen shut down the 'Cats the rest of the way, while the Boulders piled on. Ex-Valleycat Chris Kwitzer burned his former team again with 2 homers, as NY beat Tri-City, 23-8. Ouch!

The series resumes tonight at Bruno Stadium at 6:30 pm, followed by the 'Cats' Camp Day matinee tomorrow.