SARATOGA’S BEST
KEPT SECRET A Story of Thoroughbreds, Wealth, Relationships and The Black Men & Women Workers
At The Saratoga Reading Room AS TOLD BY STEWART WHITE
This is the true story of a little piece of American history. It is the story of a private, but exclusive, members-only club that was inspired by wealthy men and their love of horse racing. It is a true story about a club that is one of the least talked about, yet one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. So prestigious, not just anyone could walk through these gates. It’s a private dwelling that hosts some of the wealthiest people in the country, let alone the entire world. Last, but not least, it is a true story about a small group of black men and women thriving and surviving in a rich white man’s world. It’s a behind-the- scenes story of the workers who were the heart and soul of establishing the Saratoga Reading Room as one of the most historic and best kept secrets in Saratoga Race Course history.
Beginning of the End…
D
uring the summer of 1989, an abrupt and shocking change took place at the Reading Room. Another gentleman was brought in to run the club. Our new boss’ name was Whitney Travis. What is so important about this change was the fact that Fred, who was black was no longer in charge and that Mr. Travis, our new leader, was an elderly white man. We always had supervisors that were black men. Mr. Travis seemed like a nice man, but honestly, we were all a little leery of him. Right from the start, he started changing rules that had been in place for years.
sense that this was just the beginning and that more changes were yet to come. The new servers turned out to be really professional and very good at what they did. We even took a liking to them. They brought some new ideas that worked out pretty well. With the professionalism they brought to the table, it didn’t take long for life to be good once again at the Reading Room. We just had to give the new guys a chance and get to know them. We would even take them out on the town with us and they seemed to really enjoy themselves. It turned out to be a really good summer!
For example, there were members who would ask for me to sign their name on their service checks. I had been doing that for years. There was a particular couple, who regularly sat at my table; Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Aulisi. For years, I had signed Mr. Aulisi’s name to his check for his food and beverages. He would say, “Stewart, sign my name,” which I would do, and I would print my signature underneath. That summer, Mr. Aulisi said for me to sign his name as always. I responded that Mr. Travis had changed the rule and I wasn’t allowed to do it anymore. Mr. Aulisi proceeded to get very upset and next thing I knew, he was speaking with Mr. Travis. Before I knew it, I was told to continue signing Mr. Aulisi’ s name, just as we had done for years. Mr. Aulisi trusted me and that made me feel really good.
A lot of the staff didn’t trust Mr. Travis. During the summer of 1989, our intuitions came to a head. I was now entering my 17th year at the Reading Room.
Mr. Travis also made a couple more changes. He brought in three white waiters from the place he ran in Manhattan. Previously, the only white person on our staff had been JoAnn. As I said before, times were definitely changing, and right before our eyes. I could
108 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | SPRING 2020
Next came a move I never anticipated happening. Upon reporting to the Reading Room, I again was looking forward to another racing season of work at my summer job I had loved for the past sixteen years. I said, “Hello Mr. and Mrs. Travis.” He said “Hi,” and then strangely asked me “Where are you working this summer?” My reply was, “Right here.” Mr. Travis told me “Oh, no,” He had brought in his own crew. After seventeen years, this is how it’s going to end? He brought in an entire white staff, from the cooks, waiters, maître d, right down to the dishwashers. In a two-year period, the staff went from entirely black to almost entirely white. The lone black faces were Buster and Mike Settles, who stayed on as food preps. The two Frankies were still taking care of the ladies in the powder rooms and the rooms upstairs. He replaced all the other black employees. I understand things like
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