Virtual Learning Allows Belmont Child Care Association To ‘Double Down’ On Its Mission

It has been a full day for school-age children headed home on a recent afternoon from Anna House, the childcare and early-childhood education facility at Belmont Park designed for the families of backstretch workers.

In normal times, these students would be attending class at their local grade schools. But with the help of several grants secured by the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA), which oversees the operation at Anna House, they're part of a new virtual learning program in which grade-school children of backstretch workers are attending school at Anna House by using a combination of remote learning and in-person teaching.

Welcome to one of the feel-good stories of early education in the pandemic era. At a time when many educational institutions continue to face a range of coronavirus-related challenges, Anna House has actually expanded its offerings for the children of backstretch workers like the remote learning class, since its June reopening.

“During this time of education and internet inequality, our virtual learning program allows us to 'double down' on our mission to give these children a great head start and to do so safely,” says Joanne K. Adams, BCCA Executive Director. “BCCA built out its toolkits to offer a state-of-the-art virtual learning program, balanced by in-person teaching, which allows us to support our students who are disproportionately impacted by remote learning.”

The BCCA program places Kindergarten through fifth graders into learning pods of up to 10 students each. Sitting at least six feet apart around the classroom, students use iPads and earphones for the virtual lessons for their core subjects. They receive a hot lunch, as well as in-person one-on-one, after-school tutoring.

The remote learning program was set up in coordination with local school districts. As with all the classes at Anna House, it also utilizes the most up-to-date health guidance and safety protocols established by the New York State Department of Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (C.D.C.) and BCCA's educational consultant, Bright Horizons, to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Anna House has expanded its offerings in other ways as well since reopening on June 22 after being closed for more than three months. Through another grant, pre-school children in daycare are now enrolled in a remote-learning music and arts program. BCCA's Women's Literacy English classes for the mothers of the children attending Anna House, formerly held in-person, are now featured via Zoom.

Since reopening, Anna House has been operating with safety top of mind. To combat the spread of COVID-19, all teachers and staff wear masks. There is strict adherence to social distancing, and rules for dropping off and picking up the children, who are walked in and out of the building each morning and afternoon by a staffer. Lunches come pre-packaged and the children sit apart while eating. The playground is disinfected after each use.

If a lot is different at the building just inside Gate 6 on the spacious grounds at Belmont Park, the look and atmosphere at Anna Hose endures. It remains a bright, airy place, where the children's artwork decorate the walls of the atrium. The school garden, where the children plant flowers, is again flourishing, while the classrooms, as always, offer a warm, welcoming feel.

“The families of these children, the backstretch workers, are the unsung heroes of this pandemic, people who kept working when COVID-19 was at its most extreme in New York,” says BCCA President Libby Imperio. “By innovating to give our best to their children, we're giving to a population that have really dealt with a lot this year. We owe them so much.”

While Anna House was closed because of the pandemic, BCCA staff remained active in helping families on the backstretch. They mounted a drive to collect supplies for the children. Adams also worked with United Way of Long Island through its United Together Response Fund for COVID-19 to distribute donated gift cards, totaling more than $30,000 in value, to all backstretch workers at Belmont Park.

Also, the BCCA hosted its annual fundraiser online during the week-long “Racing for the Children” virtual party in early August during the Saratoga summer meet. The virtual format, which served as a temporary substitute for BCCA's annual dinner, featured video messages from racing personalities, a premium auction and recipes from Saratoga Springs restaurants, among other interactive elements.

All proceeds from the “Racing for the Children” party support the BCCA's mission to care for the children and families of the backstretch as well as the forthcoming Saratoga Child Care Center, now under construction on the Saratoga backstretch near the Rec Center, which is set to debut in 2021.

Adams says the resumption of classes, the continued community programs, and particularly the remote learning program at Anna House, have served to strengthen the bonds with backstretch families during this challenging time.

BCCA Board Chairman and co-founder Michael Dubb said the reopening of Anna House along with its expanded educational offerings are important steps forward for backstretch workers, who kept fulfilling their duties, often at considerable personal risk, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We can't ever repay the backstretch workers for their contributions to our sport, especially during the pandemic,” says Dubb. “What we can continue to do is find new ways of attending to the well-being of their children. Helping their kids makes our industry and sport stronger.”

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‘Racing For The Children’: Virtual BCCA Fundraiser Begins Aug. 3

The Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) will host its annual fundraiser online this summer during the week-long “Racing for the Children” virtual party beginning on Monday, August 3 at 12 p.m. through Sunday, August 9.

The virtual format, which serves as a temporary substitute for the BCCA's annual dinner, will be hosted online at BelmontChildCare.org. Over the seven-day period, supporters are invited to visit the website to enjoy video messages from well-known racing personalities, a premium auction and recipes from Saratoga Springs restaurants, amongst other interactive elements.

All proceeds from the “Racing for the Children” virtual party will support the BCCA's mission to care for the children and families of the backstretch, including the operation of the Anna House at Belmont Park as well as the forthcoming Saratoga Child Care Center, which is set to debut in 2021.

“We invite you to join us and think big for BCCA,” said BCCA President Libby Imperio. “A gift of any size makes a difference in a child's life and when we come together, we can make a great impact.”

The premium auction will feature a number of unique items, including: a Clubhouse box for the 2021 Runhappy Travers at Saratoga Race Course; a Clubhouse box for the 2021 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park; a customized jockey statue and quarter mile post; equine care from Rood and Riddle; and services from Brook Ledge Horse Transportation.

Sponsorships and matching grants for the “Racing for the Children” virtual party are currently available. For more information, contact BCCA Executive Director Joanne K. Adams at jadams@belmontchildcare.org.

The Belmont Child Care Association works to provide a safe, supportive, and academically inspiring environment for the children of parents working in the thoroughbred racing backstretch area located at New York's historic Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course. For more information, visit BelmontChildCare.org.

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BCCA’s ‘Racing for Children’ Virtual Party Week Begins Aug. 3

The Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. will host its online fundraiser–the week-long “Racing for the Children” virtual party–beginning Monday, Aug. 3 at 12 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 9. The virtual format, which serves as a temporary substitute for the BCCA’s annual dinner, will be hosted online at www.BelmontChildCare.org. Through the week, the website will host a series of features, including video messages from well-known racing personalities, a premium auction and recipes from Saratoga Springs restaurants. All proceeds will support the BCCA’s mission to care for the children and families of the backstretch, including the operation of the Anna House at Belmont Park as well as the forthcoming Saratoga Child Care Center, which is set to debut in 2021.

“We invite you to join us and think big for BCCA,” said BCCA President Libby Imperio. “A gift of any size makes a difference in a child’s life and when we come together, we can make a great impact.”

The event’s auction will include: a Clubhouse box for the 2021 GI Runhappy Travers at Saratoga Race Course; a Clubhouse box for the 2021 GI Belmont S. at Belmont Park; a customized jockey statue and quarter mile post; equine care from Rood and Riddle; and services from Brook Ledge Horse Transportation.

For more information, visit www.BelmontChildCare.org.

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Belmont Prop Contest: $1,000 Donated To BCCA In Name Of Winner Len Dodson

Len Dodson of California and Kenneth Badaway of Ohio each correctly selected 15 of 18 props in the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation Belmont Day Prop Contest, the best of 128 participants. Dodson's tiebreaker was closer to the actual total of the combined win, place and show pool, earning the win. A $1,000 contribution to the Belmont Child Care Association will be made in Dodson's name.

Dodson was a regular player in the 2019 TIF Summer Prop Contest, finishing in a 12th place tie in the overall standings. Rick Hammerle was the overall winner of that contest. The TIF Summer Prop Contest will return in 2020 with another big sum on the line for racing charities. More information will be shared with former players and those interested in joining in the coming weeks.

Anthony Stabile, of the Horse Racing Radio Network and part of the NYRA broadcast team, finished in a six-way tie for third in this weekend's contest, all players with 13 correct props. Another eight players recorded 12 correct props.

Below are the results of the props and the degree of support each selection received by the participants. Numbers can vary in case a prop was skipped by a participant. (Correct answer in BOLD)

1. HEAD TO HEAD: Who will have the better finishing position in the Belmont Stakes?

#3 MAX PLAYER (Actual – 3rd) (46.4%)
#4 MODERNIST (Actual – 7th) (53.6%)

2. HEAD TO HEAD: Who will have the better finishing position in the Belmont Stakes?

#1 TAP IT TO WIN (Actual – 5th) (62.1%)
#9 DR POST (Actual – 2nd) (37.9%)

3. HEAD TO HEAD: Who will have the better finishing position in the Belmont Stakes?

#2 SOLE VOLANTE (Actual – 6th) (66.4%)
#10 PNEUMATIC (Actual – 4th) (33.6%)

4. According to the published Equibase chart of the race, what horse will be last after the first half-mile of the Belmont Stakes?

#2 SOLE VOLANTE (17.6%)
#5 FARMINGTON ROAD (40.0%)
#7 JUNGLE RUNNER (27.2%)
Any other horse (15.2%)

5. According to the published Equibase chart of the race, the time for the first half-mile of the Belmont Stakes will be…

A – 46.40 seconds or faster (Actual – 46.16 seconds) (49.6%)
B – 46.41 seconds or slower – (50.4%)

6. The winner of the Belmont Stakes will be…

A – #8 TIZ THE LAW (69.6%)
B – Either #1 TAP IT TO WIN, #2 SOLE VOLANTE, or #9 DR POST (21.6%)
C – Any other horse (8.8%)

7. According to the published Equibase chart of the race, the winning margin of victory for the Belmont Stakes will be…

A – 1 ½ lengths or shorter (23.2%)
B – Between 1 3/4 lengths and 3 ¼ lengths (57.6%)
C – 3 1/2 lengths or longer (Actual – 3 ¾ lengths) (19.2%)

8. The final win odds of #8 TIZ THE LAW will be…

A – At his morning line price of 6-5 or higher (11.3%)
B – Lower than his morning line price (Actual 4-5) (88.7%)

9. Which horse will the second choice in the Belmont Stakes, according to the final chart published by Equibase?

#1 TAP IT TO WIN (5.2-1) (40.0%)
#2 SOLE VOLANTE (11.2) (37.6%)
#9 DR POST (7.9-1) (19.2%)
#10 PNEUMATIC (17.8-1) (3.2%)

10. Which number will be greater?

A – Jungle Runner's final win odds in the Belmont Stakes (29.5-1) (65.6%)

B – The total of all runs scored in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) games played on Sunday, June 21 (51 runs scored) (34.4%)

11. Which will be larger?

A – The sum of the finishing positions of Belmont Stakes horses ridden by jockeys having their first ride in the race PLUS 8.5 (#2 SOLE VOLANTE – Luca Panici, #7 JUNGLE RUNNER – Reylu Gutierrez, #8 TIZ THE LAW – Manuel Franco) TOTAL 25.5 (41.6%)

B – The sum of the finishing positions of Belmont Stakes horses ridden by jockeys to have won a Belmont Stakes previously (#1 TAP IT TO WIN – John Velazquez, #3 MAX PLAYER – Joel Rosario, #6 FORE LEFT – Jose Ortiz, #9 DR POST – Irad Ortiz) TOTAL 20 (58.4%)

12. Which one-mile graded stakes race on the turf at Belmont will have the faster final time, according to the Equibase chart of the race?

A – Race 4 – The Pennine Ridge (1:33.66) (71.2%)
B – Race 6 – The Wonder Again (1:34.23) (28.8%)

13. Which race will have the shorter winning margin, according to the post-race Equibase charts?

A – The Woody Stephens (3 ¾ Lengths) TIE (80.0%)
B – The Belmont Stakes (3 ¾ lengths) TIE (20.0%)

14. Which of the following results will occur in the Woody Stephens and Acorn?

A – Progeny of Into Mischief will win both the Woody Stephens (MISCHIEVOUS ALEX or SHOPLIFTED) AND the Acorn (GAMINE or LUCREZIA)? (22.6%)

B – Progeny of Into Mischief will win either the Woody Stephens or Acorn, but not both (58.4%)

C – Progeny of Into Mischief will not win the Woody Stephens and Acorn (15.2%)

15. The winner of the Jaipur will come from a trainer with a stable in…

A – New York (#4 PURE SENSATION, #6 HIDDEN SCROLL, #7 WHITE FLAG, #8 LONHTWIST) (38.4%)

B – Any other state (#1 KANTHAKA, #2 OLEKSANDRA, #3 TEXAS WEDGE, #5 STUBBINS) (61.6%)

16. How many favorites (according to the final Equibase charts) will win over the 12 races at Belmont Park?

A – Over 5.5 (TOTAL 7 Favorites) (44.8%)
B – Under 5.5 (55.2%)

17. What combination of jockeys will have the most wins on Saturday at Belmont Park?

A – Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz (4 wins) (43.2%)
B – Manuel Franco, Joel Rosario, John Velazquez (5 wins) (56.8%)

18. Which will occur over the course of the race day at Belmont Park?

A – No demotions by the stewards (72.0%)
B – At least one demotion as a result of a stewards' inquiry or objection (28.0%)

TIEBREAKER: What will be the total of the combined win, place and show pools of the 2020 Belmont Stakes? Total was $12,033,521

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