Nancy Messineo

Grants totaling over $1 million were awarded by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) this year, the organization announced in a release. Eighty six organizations were approved for a grant, including 56 aftercare organizations, 21 backstretch and farm worker programs, five equine-assisted therapy organizations, three Thoroughbred incentive programs, and one research organization. Over the last 34 years, TCA has awarded more than $27 million in grants. TCA grants were bolstered this year by a bequest from late California Thoroughbred owner Nancy Messineo. Messineo was devoted to the well-being of animals, specifically horses....

Seven months after learning they were one of a handful of racehorse rehoming and animal rescue organizations bequeathed a large sum of money by owner Nancy Messineo, the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) have received the "significant gift" and are in the process of figuring out how to best use it. "We received this gift the end of last year right before Christmas," said Lucinda Lovitt, executive director of the non-profit founded 15 years ago to raise money for the state's fleet of retired racehorses. "It's timely in the sense...

Some wear their philanthropic largesse as visibly as the Great Wall of China from outer space. Others prefer a more discreet badge. "I only found out about this three days ago," said Lucinda Lovitt early Tuesday morning. Lovitt is the executive director of the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA), the non-profit founded 15 years ago to raise money for the state's fleet of retired racehorses. Lovitt's weekend discovery? That CARMA was one of a handful of racehorse rehoming and animal rescue organizations bequeathed--and bequeathed without their prior knowledge--a sizeable sum...