Walter Wlodarczyk Photo

New York Race Track Chaplaincy to honor Tracy and Todd Pletcher for continued dedication to backstretch community

by NYRA on behalf of the NY Race Track Chaplaincy

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy announced today that it will honor Tracy and Todd Pletcher for their generous and continued support of the New York backstretch community at its 16th annual fund-raising brunch scheduled to be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, NY. 

“The Pletchers have demonstrated a deep commitment to the backstretch community, and their support has come in many forms over the years,” said Ramón Dominguez, president of the board of the NY Chaplaincy.  “We are thrilled to honor them in this way for all they have done and all they continue to do.” 

“This honor means the world to Tracy and to me,” said Todd Pletcher. “Our record reflects a team effort and the members of the backstretch are key members of our team. The New York chaplaincy does great work serving those who care for our horses and we are humbled to join their list of honorees.” 

Previous honorees of the NY Chaplaincy have included Anne Campbell, Edgar Prado, Michael Dubb, Fay and David Donk, Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, Letty and Kiaran McLaughlin, Lisa and Kenny Troutt, Debbie and Terry Finley, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Irad Ortiz Jr. and, last year, Andy Serling. 

The honoree each year is presented with a print by equine artist Tom Chapman at the brunch, which last year drew close to 300 supporters of the NY Race Track Chaplaincy. 

A perennial leader among trainers nationally, Todd Pletcher has won seven Eclipse Awards as the nation’s leading trainer and he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 2021. According to Equibase, as of January 16, 2023, Pletcher has won more than 5,400 races and his horses have earned more than $450,000,000 in purses over the course of the past 26 years. 

The NY Race Track Chaplaincy serves the NY backstretch and farming communities of Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course with enrichment programs for children, teens, and women, social service, recreational, and educational programming as well as non-denominational religious services. 

Additional information, including tickets and sponsorships for the event, may be found at www.rtcany.org.