SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Socialite Marylou Whitney made a
brief appearance at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday to present the
winner's trophy for the 79th running of the Whitney Handicap.
Arriving on the track in a silver Mercedes-Benz, the 80-year-old
Whitney made her first public appearance since suffering a mild
stroke on Memorial Day.
She was accompanied by her husband, John Hendrickson, and
received a warm ovation from racing fans.
Invasor, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Fernando
Jara, won the Whitney by a nose over Sun King.
Often referred to as the "Grand Dame" of horse racing, Whitney
is the owner of 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone.
The cancellation of her Whitney ball, held annually since 1960,
made national headlines earlier this year.