backstretch

For the most part, Tampa Bay Downs survived Hurricane Milton relatively unscathed. According to Margo Flynn, the track's vice president of marketing, the grandstand suffered only minimal damage. Milton hit the west coast of Florida just a few weeks after the area was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Milton made land fall at 8:30 p.m. in Siesta Key, Florida about 77 miles south of the track. The storm did not begin to subside until around 11:15. Flynn also reported that the main track and the turf course came through the...

The Gulfstream-based Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (FTHA) awarded 16 college scholarships to children of qualified Florida-licensed backstretch employees and trainers Tuesday, the organization announced. To date, the FTHA, which aims to "foster, promote and improve business conditions in the racing industry", has given more than $400,000 in scholarships through the Kent Stirling Scholarship Program. "This is a fitting tribute to Kent, who devoted his life to our industry and to its people," said FTHA President Joe Orseno. "He was diligent in his efforts on behalf of the owners and trainers,...

Over the next year, Los Alamitos Race Course will conduct a series of improvement projects throughout its backstretch facilities with the first set of upgrades set to begin immediately, the track said in a release late Thursday. Work will start next Monday with modernizing the men's and women's restroom facilities on the backstretch and new concrete has already been poured into designated areas to help prevent standing water and avoid excess mud around the barns. In June, Los Alamitos completed work on improvements to the receiving barn and testing areas...

Sunday evening dinners have always been a hit among the many backstretch appreciation events that go on throughout the Saratoga race meet, but this summer the affair has become an ever bigger attraction now that Morrissey's Lounge and Bistro at the Adelphi Hotel is catering the weekly celebration. Every Sunday just before 6 p.m., upbeat music and savory smells reach Union Avenue as a crowd gathers at the Marylou Whitney Pavilion. With dozens of volunteers on hand, the vast smorgasbord of food remains open until 8:30 so that workers who...

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy is seeking support for their Summer Enrichment Program for children of backstretch workers in order to help keep families together during the Saratoga season, and to give children an opportunity to experience something they may have never had before: a summer away from the city and from the track. No child is turned away from the program, which meets critical needs for the families that the Chaplaincy serves. The program is solely supported by contributions from the public. Those interested may click here to...

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy will honor Andy Serling for his work with the backstretch community at its 15th annual fundraising brunch, to be held Aug. 17 at Saratoga National Golf Club during the Saratoga meet. Serling is best known as a television analyst and handicapper for New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), where he has been a member of the broadcast team since 2008. He is also the senior racing analyst on America's Day at the Races, which presents coverage of NYRA racing on the networks of FOX...

The Backside Learning Center (BLC), an organization dedicated to building community and enriching the lives of equine workers and families at Churchill Downs, will hold its largest annual fundraiser, Benefit for the Backside: A Day at the Races, Friday, Nov. 19 at Churchill Downs. This is a sold-out event. However, the BLC is hosting an online, silent auction consisting of many unique horseracing and other hard to find items and experiences including a year-long membership to Louisville Thoroughbred Society, a private tour of Spendthrift Farm, AirBnB experiences, top-shelf bourbon packages...

Despite paying more than $20,000 monthly to exterminators to try and quell an ongoing rat problem on the Laurel Park backstretch, the infestation has persisted, leading track management to seek additional professional help by soliciting new bids from additional companies. Sal Sinatra, the president of the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC), which owns both Laurel and Pimlico Race Course, disclosed the plan of action during the Jan. 28 Maryland Racing Commission (MRC) meeting. Sinatra has mentioned the track's efforts to control the rats at previous MJC meetings. But when he didn't...

The Backside Learning Center (BLC) will be hosting a Bourbon Bonanza Raffle on February 11. All proceeds will help fund efforts toward COVID-19 vaccine education, access and promotion for backside workers and their families at Churchill Downs. The drawing will take place at 4 p.m. on February 11 and the deadline for entry is February 10 at 10:59 p.m. Participants will enter to win one of two, eight-bottle baskets with values ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. The first basket, called Cupid's Collection, features Pappy Van Winkle 12-year-old Lot B, Kentucky...

The Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York, which operates the B.E.S.T. Health Center located on the Belmont Park backstretch, is seeking additional donations in support of its efforts to assist the local racing community during the coronavirus pandemic. Donations can be made here. B.E.S.T. is tasked with providing backstretch workers free health care, life insurance, drug and mental health counselling, as well as food and clothing. It is funded by the New York Racing Association, Inc. and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, along with public donations and grants...