Humberto Chavez Photo

Race Track Chaplaincy - New York Division to Host All-Star Charity Basketball Game: Jockeys vs. Horsemen in Saratoga Springs

by Chaplain Humberto Chavez

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America has served the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of those who work in the sport of horse racing for 45 years. Thousands of women and men across the United States strive every day in the barns, farms and tracks to care for the horses around whom the sport is built.  Without these sincere employees, horse racing would grind to a halt. They care for the horses-but who cares for them?

Enter the Chaplaincy. In 40 locations around the U.S., Chaplains, their staff and tireless volunteers have comforted, blessed, assisted, counseled and aided track workers in ways that most Americans cannot fathom.  Virtually every day of the year, needs are met with great grace and love, by someone who cares.  Everything from immigration work; bedding; clothing; housing; financial assistance; life counseling; and social needs-all fall under the umbrella of services offered by the Chaplaincy Program.

The New York Division of the Chaplaincy serves that which probably is the largest population of clients, as Chaplain Humberto Chavez and his team cover all three of the NYRA tracks:  Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct.  In order to achieve so much for so many, funding is necessary, of course. The majority of that funding comes through contributions of individuals who understand the depth of the NY Chaplaincy's work. 

While the NY Chaplaincy hosts several events during the year to raise funds for programs, on August 3^rd in Saratoga, the organization will present a free-to-the-public basketball game, pitting some of horse racing's most famous and beloved Jockeys and Trainers against each other.  There's no charge to see the racing professionals who grace major networks like NBC Sports and FOX Sports, duking it out on the court in a lively, fun and utterly entertaining game. The event offers race fans the opportunity to see their favorite pro athletes vs their favorite, not-necessarily-athletic racing pros, racing against the clock to win it all. Half-time raffles and other surprises are planned for attendees.

The New York All-Star Charity Basketball Game will take place at the Saratoga Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue (off Lincoln) in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, August 3, at 7 p.m.  For more information, or to sign up as a sponsor, please contact Chaplain Chavez. Of course, members of the media are encouraged to contact the Chaplain for interviews, and to attend the game.  

Thank you.

For more about the Racetrack Chaplaincy please visit: http://www.rtcany.org/