Los Alamitos Backstretch Improvements On The Way

Over the next year, Los Alamitos Race Course will conduct a series of improvement projects throughout its backstretch facilities with the first set of upgrades set to begin immediately, the track said in a release late Thursday.

Work will start next Monday with modernizing the men's and women's restroom facilities on the backstretch and new concrete has already been poured into designated areas to help prevent standing water and avoid excess mud around the barns.

In June, Los Alamitos completed work on improvements to the receiving barn and testing areas prioritizing suggestions and recommendations from staff in those areas. The track also built a brand-new office at the main entrance of the barn area for more efficient traffic control.

Additional projects to the barn area for 2023-2024 will be announced in the months to come.

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Backstretch Dinners Draw a Crowd in Saratoga

Sunday evening dinners have always been a hit among the many backstretch appreciation events that go on throughout the Saratoga race meet, but this summer the affair has become an ever bigger attraction now that Morrissey's Lounge and Bistro at the Adelphi Hotel is catering the weekly celebration.

Every Sunday just before 6 p.m., upbeat music and savory smells reach Union Avenue as a crowd gathers at the Marylou Whitney Pavilion. With dozens of volunteers on hand, the vast smorgasbord of food remains open until 8:30 so that workers who were busy in the later races on the day's card have plenty of time to join the party and sit down for a warm meal.

The team at the Adelphi has planned a different cuisine for each week and attendees are always eager to find out what will be on the menu.

“We work with all fresh food and ingredients and we cook everything to order,” said the Adelphi's Director of Restaurants Patrick Toomey. “We picked different theme nights–like Mexican, Carribean, and Southern–so we have a lot of fun with it. I love the community that you see back here. I love to hear the chatter and see their faces enjoying good food.”

The Adelphi Hotel is owned by the Roth family of LNJ Foxwoods Stable and their partner, fellow horse owner and philanthropist Michael Dubb. Toomey said that when the Roth family was first presented with the opportunity to support this event, they were eager to participate.

“The Roths have been big backstretch contributors before in other ways at different tracks and this was an easy one,” he said. “We were definitely going to give it our all and provide great dinners here every Sunday night.”

After the passing of his wife Marylou Whitney in 2019, John Hendrickson has remained active in supporting a multitude of backstretch initiatives. In addition to the organization of the Sunday evening dinners, as a tribute to his late wife he funded construction for the Saratoga Backstretch Clinic, which is also new this year and is located across from the pavilion.

“We've been doing [dinners] for 16 years as part of the Backstretch Appreciation Program that Marylou and I started,” Hendrickson said. “Marylou always said that this should be the summer place for everyone. They should have the best food and now they have the best health care as well.”

This summer, the Sunday evening dinners have been attracting crowds upwards of 500 backstretch workers.

“This year, there's new energy,” said Hendrickson. “Everybody dresses up and everybody is happy. It's first-class food. The Roth family is very generous and they've really put on a great show.”

Every evening with the exception of Saturday night when racing runs late, an event is on the schedule for the backstretch workers. In addition to the Sunday evening dinners, Wednesday night bingo also draws a crowd. These events are made possible through the work of the Race Track Chaplaincy and the Backstretch Employee Services Team (BEST) in New York.

BEST'S Program Director Nancy Underwood said that events like the Sunday dinner allow their team to check in on members of the backstretch community and invite new workers to join their community.

“We really try to create a sense of community and we're able to do that because of John and his donors,” said BEST's Program Director Nancy Underwood. “Everything we do with this population is really about trust and relationship building. We believe that a connected person is a healthier person. We bring everybody together. We're able to serve them, celebrate what they do and really appreciate what they do for the industry.”

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NY Race Track Chaplaincy Seeks Support for Summer Enrichment Program

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy is seeking support for their Summer Enrichment Program for children of backstretch workers in order to help keep families together during the Saratoga season, and to give children an opportunity to experience something they may have never had before: a summer away from the city and from the track.

No child is turned away from the program, which meets critical needs for the families that the Chaplaincy serves. The program is solely supported by contributions from the public.

Those interested may click here to donate any amount, or click here to sponsor a child for one day, one week, one month, or the entire summer.

Humberto Chavez, Lead Chaplain and Executive Director of the NY Chaplaincy, said the program is very close to his heart.

“Thanks to the Saratoga Summer Enrichment Program, members of the backstretch community who are parents are able to keep their families together and know their children are well-cared-for while they are at work. The peace of mind this provides is something every parent can appreciate and support. We turn away no one and are very grateful to everyone who makes this program possible.”

Over 3,500 people make up the community of workers on the backstretches of the thoroughbred racing industry at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course.  The New York Race Track Chaplaincy ministers to that community with children's enrichment, social service, and recreational programs, educational opportunities, and non-denominational religious services. The Chaplaincy provides these extensive services with the intent of satisfying not only spiritual needs but also basic human necessities, and its unique population is served without regard to race, creed, religion, background, or social status.

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Andy Serling to be Honored by NY Chaplaincy

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy will honor Andy Serling for his work with the backstretch community at its 15th annual fundraising brunch, to be held Aug. 17 at Saratoga National Golf Club during the Saratoga meet. Serling is best known as a television analyst and handicapper for New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), where he has been a member of the broadcast team since 2008. He is also the senior racing analyst on America's Day at the Races, which presents coverage of NYRA racing on the networks of FOX Sports, and as the host of NYRA's daily handicapping show Talking Horses. Serling has also hosted the Across the Board podcast since 2017.

“I love this sport and with each passing day, I have a deeper appreciation for the commitment and dedication of backstretch workers,” Serling said. “The New York Race Track Chaplaincy does incredible work for our community and I'm humbled to be honored in this way.”

The NY Chaplaincy serves New York's backstretch community with children's enrichment, social service, recreational, and educational programming, as well as with non-denominational religious services.

“At every opportunity, Andy goes out of his way to recognize and advocate for the members of the backstretch community and he richly deserves this honor,” said Humberto Chavez, the lead chaplain and executive director of the NY Chaplaincy.

Previous honorees 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, and Irad Ortiz, Jr. The honoree is presented with a print by equine artist Tom Chapman at the brunch. For more information, visit rtcany.org.

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