The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), and New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) will host the third annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day on Thursday, August 17, at Saratoga Race Course.
Free with paid track admission, the celebration will include a variety of events and demonstrations to highlight the work of the New York State Thoroughbred aftercare community.
The featured race on Thursday's card will be the $125,000 Rick Violette Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf test for New York-bred sophomores named for the late trainer and NYTHA President who spearheaded the creation of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Retirement Program.
Representatives from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organizations will be on-site at Saratoga on August 17 to educate both racing fans and the general public about the importance of responsible aftercare efforts, including Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, ACTT Naturally, Lucky Orphans, New Vocations, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, ReRun, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga.
“Thoroughbred Aftercare Day reflects our ongoing commitment to protecting and re-training equine athletes when their racing days are done,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “New York is the national leader when it comes to supporting and investing in meaningful aftercare efforts, and we are thrilled to host the third annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course on August 17.”
Racing fans will be able to donate to TAKE THE LEAD by texting AFTERCARE2023 to 44321 to make a contribution, or by opting to make a donation to the TAA when cashing a winning ticket on an AmTote International self-service betting terminal. All donations are tax-deductible.
“We are so excited to present our third annual NY Aftercare Day,” said Rick Schosberg, the New York-based retired trainer who serves as Vice President of NYTHA and President of TAKE2/TAKE THE LEAD. “It is so important to be able to provide safe and purposeful retirements and second careers for these wonderful equine athletes, and to showcase all of the fine work to the public is so gratifying and rewarding. It's a massive combined effort of the horsemen, NYTHA, the TAA and the many accredited aftercare organizations, the NYTB, and the New York Racing Association. It's a full team effort! Enjoy the demonstrations and learn about the great work being done here in New York to provide safe and meaningful lives for our racehorses when their racing days are over.”
About TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program: Started in 2012, TAKE2 was created to provide second career opportunities for retired racehorses in the show ring and to increase the popularity of Thoroughbreds as Hunters and Jumpers. The program has grown from eight horse shows in three states and now partners with over 500 horse shows in 23 states. More than 2,500 Thoroughbreds have competed in the TAKE2 Hunter and Jumper divisions across the country.
TAKE THE LEAD works with owners and trainers to find placements for the horses retiring from the NYRA tracks with TAA-accredited aftercare organizations. TAKE THE LEAD is co-funded by members of the Thoroughbred industry around the country: New York Thoroughbred Breeders; New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund; Thoroughbred Horsemen's Associations in Maryland (through Beyond the Wire) and Pennsylvania (through Turning for Home); Ocala Breeders' Sales Company; and members of the racing and horse show communities across the country, For more information on TAKE2 and TAKE THE LEAD, go to www.take2tbreds.com.
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