Twenty-five students, including five added fresh for the 2022-23 school year, were awarded scholarships from the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation following the organization's annual board meeting Dec. 2, at which long-time owner Bill Strauss was added to the Foundation's board.
The five new students, who attend such prestigious schools as the University of California at Davis, were awarded a total of $23,000 for the current school year.
They join 20 students who were already in the program and who were given continuing grants for the current year. Those students, who are studying at universities including Cornell, Iowa State, the University of Oklahoma, Stanford, Tulane, and UCLA, were given a total of $164,000.
All Gregson Foundation scholarship recipients are children of backstretch workers at California racetracks. The parents are employed as hot walkers, exercise riders, grooms, foremen, and assistant trainers.
Strauss, the newest board member, is a long-time owner best known recently for his top-class runner Hot Rod Charlie, whom he owns in partnership. Hot Rod Charlie has won $5.6 million during a career that has seen him win the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at 3 and Grade 2 Lukas Classic at 4. He also was runner-up at 2 in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and at 3 was second in races as the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes and Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes and third in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.
Strauss was also co-owner of the multiple Grade 1-winning filly Turbulent Descent, who won the Hollywood Starlet at 2 and the Santa Anita Oaks and Test at 3. In addition, he campaigned two-time Breeders' Cup winner Mizdirection, who successfully took down the boys in the Turf Sprint.
Strauss is a serial entrepreneur whose businesses have included the wildly successful Shari's Berries and Pro Flowers. He and his brother, Jeffrey, own the highly acclaimed Pamplemousse Grille in Solana Beach, across the street from Del Mar racetrack.
About Edwin J. Gregson Foundation
The Edwin J. Gregson Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to develop programs to benefit and enhance the quality of life of California thoroughbred horse racing's backstretch workers and their family members. Named in memory of veteran trainer Edwin J. Gregson, who was the initial driving force in its establishment, the Foundation has been in existence since 2000. The major focus of the Foundation is to provide scholarship grants to college-bound individuals, as well as supports other important programs for backstretch workers, such as English as a Second Language and literacy classes, and recreation, sports, and social activities. For more information please visit: www.gregsonfoundation.com or follow us on twitter @calgregson
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