Humberto Chavez

Edited Press Release The 13th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy (NYRTC), will be played Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m. The game is one of the most popular events on the Saratoga social calendar and routinely attracts more than 300 fans. Admission is free. The jockey team will once again be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr., with trainer Todd Pletcher and agent Kiaran McLaughlin coaching the horsemen team....

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 13th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy and was scheduled to be played Wednesday, Sept. 1, has been canceled. "With COVID-19 infection rates climbing again, we just couldn't jeopardize the safety of the participants or the hundreds of fans who come to the game each year, so we decided it was best to cancel it once again," said NY Race Track Chaplaincy executive director and lead chaplain Humberto Chavez. "We are all disappointed but hopefully we can resume the...

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy is seeking support for its Summer Enrichment Program in Saratoga for the children of backstretch workers. For over a decade, the chaplaincy has provided the program to keep Saratoga families together during the racing season and give the children an opportunity to experience a summer that some have never had before; away from the city and the track. In 2020, the NY Chaplaincy commenced a Summer Enrichment Program in Belmont in order to fulfill the local need for a summer program due to the...

Editor's note: Last week, the TDN ran a video urging people to donate to the New York Race Track Chaplaincy food pantry, which helps to provide food for the roughly 3,500 people who work with racehorses in New York. It has been viewed over 10,000 times, and the response has been heartwarming. Chaplain Humberto Chavez asked for the opportunity to say thank you. He recorded this podcast with the TDN's Patty Wolfe. Excerpts appear below. Click the play button to hear this as a podcast.  [audio mp3="https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Humberto-Chavez-Thoroughbred-People-v1.mp3"][/audio] PW: This has...

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA) is asking for support to provide woman living and working on the Belmont Park backstretch and the surrounding community with 'Baskets of Blessings' this coming Mother's Day. A donation of $100 will fund a special basket which will be lovingly prepared and include an assortment of food, toiletries, and special gifts. Each basket will be hand-delivered by the NYRTCA ahead of Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10. "The mothers of our backstretch community have perhaps been most impacted by the current crisis,...

"There's still a lot of anxiety," says Chaplain Humberto Chavez, whose ministry helps thousands of backstretch workers every day. "But in the midst of that, I get to see men and women that love their jobs, and come in every day to take care of these beautiful horses."

West Point Thoroughbreds' Terry Finley and retired Hall of Fame jockey Ramon Dominguez have been named chairman and president, respectively, of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. Finley has been an active supporter of the Chaplaincy for several years and he and his wife Debbie were honored last August for their continued support of the backstretch community and the chaplaincy in particular. Dominguez has been on the Chaplaincy's Board of Directors since 2012. "Terry and Ramon both maintain a deep appreciation for the importance of our work," said Humberto Chavez,...