Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Designates Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs as 'Marylou Whitney Way'

Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul designated a portion of the state highway system in the city of Saratoga Springs as the 'Marylou Whitney Way.' This follows Governor Hochul previously signing legislation (S.6738-A/A.7625-A) dedicating Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs to Marylou Whitney.

VIDEO of the event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

AUDIO of the event is available here.

PHOTOS of the event will be available on the Governor's Flickr page.

A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:

Thank you, David, for your leadership of NYRA. It's an important institution that is responsible for an industry that we're extremely proud of here in the State of New York. And I'll say that again, we're proud of this industry because there are very few states that can lay claim to the excitement, the energy, and all the jobs that are created by this energy, which is so important to me, personally. So, thank you.

I also want to thank John Hendrickson. It's been a long journey for you, your partner, your life partner, Marylou. I just want to thank both of you for your countless contributions to what you've done to this industry and continue to do in her name. So, thank you, John.

And Heather, is Heather here? Heather? Heather, how are you? Heather, the daughter of Marylou and also the Chair of the Regional Parks Commission. A lot of responsibility there. Our parks are gorgeous, I check on them all the time. So, thank you, Heather. Also, the Commissioner of DOT, Commissioner Dominguez is here. I've seen her every day this week, I think. We were at the Syracuse Fair, we've been at so many events and I want to thank her for helping make this happen. She is everywhere, and I'm so proud of the work she does and all the great people at the DOT. So, thank you.

Robert Williams, our Executive Director of the Gaming Commission, thank you for all you do for us. Congressman Tonko, great champion of this industry and in this community too. I want to thank you for your friendship. And I served with you in Congress in Washington a long time ago, but also for everything you're doing for this community as well. And of course, our two leaders in the legislature who brought us here today with their vision of how we can make a contribution.

So, the name Marylou Whitney will be forever known by people who travel on our roads here. And I want to thank Carrie Woerner for her work and also, Daphne Jordan for her work in the Senate. So, thanks for getting the job done, ladies. Thank you.

I understand we're also joined by the Governor from the Virgin Islands. Governor Bryan is here too. Governor, thank you for being here. Add a little more prestige to our event here today up in Saratoga, having the Governor of the Virgin Islands. So, to all of you who joined us - also, we're joined by New York's first First Gentleman, my husband, Bill, who's right over there. Our daughter, Katie and her husband, Matt joined us. And I'll tell you a little bit about Katie and why I'm so passionate about this sport.

So first of all, I came here often as Lieutenant Governor. Jeff knows. He rode out the golf cart all around here because I really believe in this place. It's got a magical field tour, a sense of history, a sense of place, and a sense where people are just so proud to be associated with this. And that's not something everyone has always touted and spoken about. And I'm happy to do that. I literally was at an event at the Governor's residence with David Paterson. We talked about our shared passion for this industry.

He even told me that his grandfather had been the blacksmith for a horse named Upset that actually upset a Man o' War. I think it was in 1919 if I've got my history correct. So, we were sitting there chatting. I was honoring him by planting a tree in his name on the property. But also, we got into the conversation about what I'd be doing here today.

So, really happy to be here. I was actually here exactly one year ago. I had been on the job as Governor just I think a couple of days. And I had the privilege of presenting the Travers Cup, and I was so honored by that, and earlier this year, the Belmont. So, I just wanted you to note to all of you people love this business, who love this sport, that I will always be there to represent from the highest levels of our state government, our commitment to this industry as well.

Also, today is New York State Breeders' Day. So, it's all New York horses here.

And why I care about this, but also the fact that one of Marylou's legacies was how she took care of retired thoroughbreds. I'm the grandmother, a retired thoroughbred. At least I was. My daughter, Katie, when she was 13 years old, we went to the Fairgrounds in Western New York, Erie County. And she loved horses, absolutely loved horses, but we, you know, we couldn't really afford a horse, just let her ride horses when she could, took lessons.

And all of a sudden, we're at this auction and this retired thoroughbred comes out as a former racehorse who has some very good lineage. And for 700 bucks, I could own a horse. And it seemed like such a deal at the time. What was I thinking, Katie? But I had a 13-year-old daughter that they start heading to that age where you're not quite sure how a teenager's going out turn out. But I knew that the responsibility of caring for an animal named Max. We love Max, just lost him a couple of years ago. That's how she dedicated her life. And I could see in her a kindness and a sense at even a young age, a sense of responsibility to something else other than herself.

So, raising that horse, taking care of that horse, converting it from a former racehorse with a very rambunctious manner about him. Every time he heard a sound, he thought he should race. Even if he had my little girl on his back and he was 17, and I had a heart attack every time she competed. But, so I know at this sport can be, but also, I'm so grateful for what you and Marylou did to take care of these horses, you know, and to give them a new life, an afterlife, but also what even means more to me is how you've taken care of people, the people in the backstretch.

For a long time, people who just come every year, do their jobs and they leave, but not really getting the recognition they deserved or the treatment they deserved. And that all changed. That all changed because people with heart saw that they're the ones who make this all happen. And they come here, and they have children, and they need child care.

And the last couple of years I had a chance to tour the child care facility. Jeff and I talked about this and I was so touched by the fact that people care so deeply about the well-being of the children of the people who work here. That struck me. And also, even this pavilion, a place of gathering where families come on a Sunday afternoon and share food and the stories of the week. This is an incredible gathering place named in Marylou's honor as well.

So, she has an incredible story, a larger than life presence here. We all know that. I had a chance to meet her when I was in my first year or two being Lieutenant Governor. And everyone says, "Have you met Marylou?" I'm intimidated, like "Marylou? I better really dress up if I'm going to meet Marylou." She was the Grand Dame of everything here, but she was also a trailblazer. And that's why this means something to me, as well as I know a little bit about being the first, and there are a lot of challenges and pressures. So, the work that she did in the racing industry, and really paving the path for other women to ascend to significant positions, in what had always been a male-dominated sport. So, Marylou made profound differences there as well.

So her work is recognized by all of us today. It'll be recognized for decades to come, when people see her name, not just on this pavilion, but on our highways. And again, for seven decades, she's one of the most successful owners in thoroughbred racing and the first woman to breed and own a Kentucky Oaks winner. Very impressive, as well as Belmont Stakes and Travers. So we're proud of her, and I'll just quote, Nick Zeto, who trained Marylou's Belmont Travers winner, he said, "Racing needs more people like Marylou. There are a lot of people who are considered good people, but she's the real deal. She's a friend you can count on." And said that when you say she's the epitome, when you say she's a legend, the epitome of what that means, she is truly a legend and a friend to so many of us.

So, I was honored to sign the bill into law that created this way to recognize her, and to never forget her, which we never will. She's always in our hearts because when you come to this community, when you come to this track, you'll always be reminded that there was a woman, a strong, strong woman who made a difference in people's lives, changed this industry, and helped the people make this state so spectacular. So, as the Governor of the State of New York, I'm very honored to be able to unveil this presentation momentarily. But first, let's hear from John Hendrickson. So, you've been at her side, working to make a difference in people's lives. And to John, we honor you as well. Thank you.