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NYRA Cares: New York’s Racetrack Chaplaincy set to deliver a special time of year for backstretch families

by NYRA Press Office

With the holidays approaching, families start making travel plans, gift shopping, planning menus and putting up decorations. The same traditions apply to the New York chapter of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA), as it prepares for a jam-packed series of holiday events for backstretch families – with one notable exception.

Planning for the Chaplaincy’s holiday schedule didn’t start last month or even in September. It started in June.

“Come June, we should be done planning for the summer,” explained Chaplain Humberto Chavez, the NYRTCA Executive Director. “Every nut is tightened so that we walk into the Saratoga summer meet with all our pieces together. But that’s also when the backburner starts moving forward for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season.”

During the summer, the Chaplaincy contacts benefactors and other sources to ensure the funding is available for holiday events. That way, as Chaplain Chavez put it, “we begin tightening up the nuts in September when we get home to Belmont Park.”

And with enough planning, the Chaplaincy is able to squeeze in its ever-expanding number of fall and winter events, from the “Back-to-School” program in September and last month’s Fall Festival last month to the weekly food pantry and preparations to move into its new building this winter at Belmont Park. A full holiday schedule is once again planned, as in pre-pandemic years.

The holiday events:

·       10 a.m., Sat., Nov. 19: Packing for Thanksgiving Distribution (Belmont Clubhouse);

·       10 a.m., Mon., Nov. 21: Thanksgiving Distribution to Backstretch Families (Belmont Clubhouse);

·       11 a.m., Tue. Nov. 22: Backstretch Thanksgiving Luncheon (Rec Hall at Belmont); 

·       Tue., Dec. 6: Saratoga Christmas “Sponsor a Family” Dinner (Longfellows in Saratoga);

·       6 p.m., Wed., Dec. 14: Christmas Carnival (Belmont Clubhouse);

·       11 a.m., Tue., Dec. 20: Backstretch Christmas Luncheon (Rec Hall at Belmont); and,

·       TBA, Belmont/Aqueduct “Sponsor a Family” Christmas Event.

There are several ways to get involved. Visit https://www.rtcany.org/ to learn about volunteer opportunities from helping to distribute turkeys to contributing to a child or family. This holiday season’s Sponsor-a-Family program provides food and gifts to the neediest backstretch families; with sponsors supplying new winter clothing and new toys for the children and a gift card from the grocery for the family's Christmas dinner.

Sponsors may request to be assigned a specific family or may make a financial contribution.  

“For donors and volunteers, this is an opportunity to get involved and get to know some of the hard-working people of the backstretch,” said Letty McLaughlin, a member of the Chaplaincy’s Honorary Board and active in its year-end festivities. “Getting involved is so important and it also feels good. And if you volunteer year after year as our family does, you get to see some of the children grow up. I love being there.”

Another longtime Chaplaincy supporter, racehorse owner Mike Repole, called his annual sponsorship of the Christmas Carnival, “a way to make things better.”

“During the pandemic when racing was shut down, the backstretch community kept our sport going,” said Repole. “The people there are the heart and soul of horse racing and deserve our whole-hearted support. If I can help to make their holidays a little more special, I’m all in.”

Chaplaincy Program Director Nick Caras agreed, adding that all the work that goes into ensuring the backstretch community and their families get to enjoy the holidays is well worth it.

“We always make a point to look back at the previous year and see what we can do better this time around,” said Caras. “Usually, it’s a tweak here and there, but it makes us better. To be at the Christmas Carnival and see the kids’ faces light up when they’re presented with gifts … well, there’s else nothing like it.”

Chaplain Chavez echoes those sentiments. “Being able to bless people and enhance their lives just a bit a little better makes this season special,” he said. “We get hundreds of really positive comments every year from those who sponsored a family to moms and dads whose children had a blast at the carnival. We hope and pray this holiday season will be special to more people than ever before.”

Getting to know…Jonathan Estrada

This month’s edition of Getting to know…visits with Jonathan Estrada, a groom working with trainer David Donk, who was among the recent winners of the prestigious Godolphin Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA), which recognize and reward the outstanding talent, diligence and commitment of the farm and racing stable staff at the heart of our sport.

Estrada, 21, won the TIEA Newcomer Award in the 7^th annual competition, announced Oct.14 in a Winner’s Circle ceremony at Keeneland Race Course. The son of former grooms Juan Estrada and Tammy Edwards, Estrada grew up in Elmont, walking distance from Belmont Park, where he is now based. He is also the first graduate of Anna House at the Belmont Child Care Association, now celebrating its 20^th year.

The TIEA had winners in seven categories (see article) – and included NYRA Peace Officer Laura Scheer, who won the Support Services Award; and Leana Willaford, assistant trainer for Bill Mott, winner of the Leadership Award.

What’s the best thing about being honored with a TIEA?

It’s knowing there are awards like this one out there. This isn’t about me; it’s for all people working in the industry. I feel like I’m representing them.

Does this award validate your reason for getting into the industry?

It not only validates my decision to build a career in the industry, but it’s a real incentive to keep pushing forward. This is what I want to do for the rest for my life – and this award came at a good time. It really encourages me to continue what I’m doing and strive to do better every day.

Your parents are in the industry and you’re from Elmont. Have you always wanted to follow them into the horse world?

Surprisingly, no. I started working here in my senior year at Elmont Memorial High School, as a hotwalker with David, while volunteering with the (Racetrack) Chaplaincy. The more I got into it, I found a sense peace and tranquility from working with horses. They give you so much, a lot more than we give them. It’s unmatchable what horses give us. It’s then that I got “the bug.”

But it wasn’t until after high school and I spent some time in California that I decided to make horses my career. I was in a seminary program in the middle of Los Angeles and nowhere near horses when I called David and said, ‘I didn’t think I was going to say this, but I want to come home, I want to work with horses, and I want to be a trainer.’”

When I was out there, I couldn’t stop watching replays and I couldn’t stop watching races. racing. It took that experience to realize what I truly wanted to do.

It sounds like you’ve been fortunate to have role models.

I have many male figures who have guided me. David is a teacher and inspires me to work harder in the industry. (Chaplain) Humberto (Chavez of the Racetrack Chaplaincy) has been huge in my life and is there whenever I need him. And (Chaplaincy Program Manager) Nick (Caras) is an amazing person and a true role model.

What is your advice for someone looking to get into the industry?

The biggest thing for me – and I’m still working on it – is patience – and that applies to everyone in this field. You have to have a lot of patience; you can’t push it. Patience is key in learning and building understanding. Hard work is important too. I start work most days at 4:30 a.m. It’s early, but when you want this life, you get used to it.

In the community…

TAA graduates impress at annual Thoroughbred Makeover

Over 55 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) graduates competed in the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover October 12-15, 2022.

This year, the RRP special awards—including the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Graduate High Point Award—were presented Friday night, following the conclusion of preliminary competition. As such, Buckeye Warrior ridden by Holly Zecchin and Union Charm ridden by Alyssa Kelly tied for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Graduate High Point Award.

“It was wonderful to cheer on so many graduates of TAA-accredited aftercare organizations at the Makeover and in the Finale this year,” said TAA Office Manager, Catherine Flowers. “The success of TAA grads in the Makeover is a testament to the dedication of our accredited organizations in rehabbing, retraining, and rehoming off-track Thoroughbreds into new, well-matched homes. It is our pleasure to present the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Graduate High Point Award to not just one, but two deserving horses and trainers, and we congratulate all the TAA Graduates and their trainers for their impressive efforts in the 2022 Thoroughbred Makeover.”

To learn more, visit: https://www.thoroughbredaftercare.org/taa-grads-ma...

NYRA and its horsemen are committed supporters of the TAA, which accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations using industry-wide funding.

Every owner competing at NYRA racetracks donates $10 per start to the TAA, helping to fund aftercare organizations that provide homes for retired racehorses. New York’s horsemen also donate 1.5 percent of the purchase price of every horse claimed at a NYRA track to TAA and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association’s TAKE THE LEAD (TTL) program, which provides preliminary vet exams and treatment, as well as costs related to transportation and rehabilitation or retraining.

A helping hand….

Support the BCCA via the Americana Manhasset's Champions for Charity

Registration is now open for Americana Manhasset's Champions for Charity, providing a unique opportunity to support the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA).

The BCCA’s mission is to provide a safe, support and academically inspiring environment for the children of parents working in the racing backstretch community at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course.

Support the BCCA program when you shop from Thursday, December 1 - Saturday, December 3.

Sign-up today and designate Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. as your charity of choice!  http://Championsforcharity.org

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Hay Drive

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) cares for over 450 Thoroughbreds every day. Feeding 450 horses is not an easy task, but the TRF are unwavering in their effort to fill their barns with hay and grain for the coming winter. This year has been challenging and different, but the TRF’s national herd manager and their network of dedicated staff provide the TRF herd with the daily care they need and deserve.

The TRF herd is primarily made up of equine senior citizens with an average age of 21-years-old. Just like humans, horses require additional care and nutrition as they age - particularly in winter. As the TRF prepares for the colder months ahead, they are asking for your help to fill their barns with hay and grain.

To make a contribution, please visit: https://www.trfinc.org/haydrive/. And through the generosity of the Santulli Family Foundation, there will be a match for every donation up to $60,000.