Letter to the Editor: The Importance of the Race Track Chaplaincy

Last week, I attended the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) national conference at the Falls Creek Conference Center in Davis, Oklahoma. There were more than 100 participants including track chaplains, local council leaders, national board and staff. I am here to share a good news story about a group that is serving God, serving people and making a difference in horse racing.

At its core, our sport showcases the Thoroughbred, one of the greatest creatures on this earth, and the dedicated group of people who love and work with those animals. Millions enjoy our sport on all levels, including casual fans, horseplayers, industry workers, breeders, trainers and owners.

I groomed horses prior to my senior year of college, and I learned many things that have stuck with me my entire professional career. Of course, I loved working with the majestic Thoroughbred. I also gained an appreciation for the dedication of the many individuals who are involved in the care of our horses.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of people who make up our industry. Most have demanding, non-traditional work schedules, and many have to travel on a racing circuit. It is difficult for them to develop a relationship with a church and attend traditional services. Also, the work can be physical and demanding. Especially in the past, there was nowhere to turn when life's challenges caused a “bump in the road.”

In a traditional setting, many people can access their church or family and friends to help them through tough times.

In the 1970's, RTCA founder Salty Roberts recognized this situation, and the need for a ministry within the racing industry.  The RTCA was formed as an evangelical, interdenominational, 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian organization whose purpose is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational needs of workers within the horse racing industry.

In its simplest terms, the primary mission of any Christian is to “Love God, love others.” The Chaplains, council members and volunteers of the RTCA carry out this mission every day. As the Vice President of the RTCA Board, it is a pleasure and honor to spend time with this group of humble servants who make such a difference in our industry.

The most visible part of a chaplain's duties may be worship services and Bible studies. Those important efforts just scratch the surface of the chaplain's job. It is a ministry of presence with Biblically based counsel, as well as offering resources like food and clothing banks, recreational activities and educational workshops. Chaplains perform weddings, handle funerals, do baptisms and make numerous trips to the hospital. When workers need a ride to the grocery store or a doctor's appointment, many times it is the chaplain or a volunteer ready to provide transportation. Like many other jobs in the horse racing, industry it is seven days a week.

At the national conference there was an exchange of experiences and ideas. The chaplains described it as a ministry of presence. It is important to get to know the people. Ask questions. One chaplain called it loitering with intent. If someone is going through a tough time, pray with them. In 2023, every RTCA chaplain went through QPR training (Question, Persuade and Refer) to help educate them about the mental health issues facing many of our workers.

As you might guess, there is not one chaplain that does their job for the financial reward. As a matter of fact, I heard about a chaplain that was ministering on a small circuit which raced only on weekends. This person was dedicated to filling a need each weekend at the track, and then would drive home and get up early Monday morning to drive a garbage truck to pay the bills. There are many stories of volunteers who provide important assistance to serve the workers at the track.

Mindy Coleman, representing the Jockeys' Guild, was in attendance. That organization has worked with the RTCA for many years to make a difference in the very difficult lives of jockeys. A track chaplain brings together the jockeys and leads a prayer prior to the races at virtually every racetrack served by the RTCA. The chaplain is there to counsel and pray with the riders in times of need. And, when a rider is injured, the chaplain is always one of the first ones at the hospital. During my career in track management, I have witnessed the difference in the environment in the jockeys' room before the RTCA, and after. In a very competitive and demanding profession, the presence of the chaplain has made a major positive impact which is summed up by the RTCA theme of “Bringing God's Grace to the Race.”

The conference was about God's Love, and unity and focus for the RTCA. It was obvious that every chaplain present felt blessed to be in the role of serving others. There was not one complaint. However, chaplains can be under a great deal of pressure with the many duties they are tasked with. Let's reach out to support and encourage them. If you are part of a horse organization, ask what you can do to support the RTCA at your track or training center. If you are in track management, make the chaplain part of your team.

To learn more about the RTCA, visit www.rtcanational.org.

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New Officers for Jockeys and Jeans

Following the retirement of President Barry Pearl this summer, the Jockey and Jeans committee has elected new officers. Vice President Dr. Eddie Donnally, one of five former jockeys who founded the group, has been named interim president.

“I served as president the first year and it became obvious [Barry] Pearl possessed far superior organizational and sales skills than I,” said Donnally, “so I suggested the committee make him president. Calling him was easily one of the best decisions of my life and we can't thank him enough for his nine years of leadership and the thousands of hours he donated.”

Donnally, 80, holds a Doctorate in Ministry, is a former Eclipse Award-winning racing writer for the Dallas Morning News, is the author of three books, and serves part-time as a hospital chaplain in New Orleans.

In other updates, Maureen Brown has been named Vice President of Operations and will assist with the day-to-day tasks, while Kenny Katz will become the Head of Relationships with Hall of Fame Riders.

The all-volunteer group made Corey Johnsen its newest ambassador. He will join Brian Elmore, Executive Director of the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and Joe Morris, Vice President of Racing for Caesars Entertainment, as the three non-jockey ambassadors. Randy Sampson, CEO and Board Chairman of Canterbury Park, serves as a committee member.

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GSW Dennis’ Moment To Stand In Wyoming

GSW Dennis' Moment (Tiznow) will stand the 2024 breeding season at Golden Creek Equine in Cheyenne, Wyoming, part-owner CJ Thoroughbreds said in a release Wednesday.

The 6-year-old is co-owned by Eugene Joyce and will stand for a fee of $1,500. A limited number of lifetime breeding rights are also available.

Although Wyoming has a long history of horse racing and is the final resting place of the sport's first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton, the state's live racing scene nearly disappeared until HHR was legalized a decade ago. Since then, horse racing has seen a resurgence with $5.2 million awarded to owners, breeders and stallion owners who participated in the Wyoming Breeders Awards Program in 2022.

“I was around Dennis' Moment early in his career and was really impressed with his brilliance, looks and class,” said Corey Johnsen of CJ Thoroughbreds. “It is an honor to own him now and be able to offer a stallion of his quality to breeders in Wyoming and the region. The Cheyenne location makes him accessible to mare owners in Colorado and Nebraska.”

Golden Creek Equine encompasses 100 acres near Cheyenne with another Wyoming location of 2,400 acres.

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Sally’s Curlin Tries To Regain Her Mojo In Ellis’ Groupie Doll

Even if Sally's Curlin hadn't won CJ Thoroughbreds' first graded stakes, the 5-year-old mare would hold special meaning for managing partner Corey Johnsen.

“First and foremost, she's named my daughter, Sally,” said Johnsen, who before becoming a full-time horseman was a noted racetrack operator who ran and owned part-interest in Lone Star Park and Kentucky Downs until those tracks were sold. “That's most important. Secondly, she is our first graded-stakes winner.”

Now Sally's Curlin returns off a 3 1/2-month layoff in Ellis Park's $125,000 RUNHAPPY Groupie Doll, part of Sunday's blockbuster five-stakes card at the RUNHAPPY Meet at Ellis Park that includes the $200,000 RUNHAPPY Ellis Park Derby. Sally's Curlin has raced at Ellis Park once before, winning an entry-level allowance race at the Groupie Doll's mile distance in 2019.

“She worked like the wind Saturday,” Johnsen said by phone from Texas. “We were looking forward to a strong 5-year-old campaign from Sally. And then she just kind of lost her focus in the spring and we gave her some time off. She's coming back from that break, and the word is that she's training as good as ever.”

Said trainer Dale Romans: “It's all positive with Sally's Curlin. We gave her a little freshener, and she came back better than ever. Hopefully she jumps up and runs to her old form.”

Corey Lanerie has the mount.

Sally's Curlin — a $160,000 Keeneland yearling by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin — was among the first horses purchased by CJ Thoroughbreds when Johnsen and his son, C.J., launched the syndicate. The mare is owned in partnership with Left Turn Racing and Casner Racing.

Sally's Curlin required five starts to win, doing so the first time she ran in blinkers. Aggressively placed in the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks off that victory, she beat one horse but rebounded to win at Ellis Park. That was immediately followed by a 9 1/4-length second-level allowance victory at Churchill Downs and the Grade 3 Chilukki Stakes that provided CJ Thoroughbreds its initial graded-stakes triumph. In fact, including her maiden win, Sally's Curlin is 4 for 4 at a mile on dirt.

Sally started her 4-year-old season with victory in Gulfstream Park's Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at seven-eighths of a mile in mid-March. Then COVID hit and she didn't race until July, finishing fifth in Keeneland's Grade 1 Madison then third in Churchill Downs' delayed Grade 1 Derby City Distaff, both with exceedingly tough fields. Five disappointing races later, including her last two starts on grass, and it was time for a break and chance at a reset.

“Her 4-year-old year got messed up by COVID-19 and the race cancellations,” Johnsen said. “We had so many high hopes after that Hurricane Bertie effort, when she ran a super-good speed figure and the race of her life. And then we just couldn't run her at her favorite tracks and favorite distances for a long time. It was very disappointing. Having said that, she is Grade 1 stakes-placed, and she ran a great race that day at Churchill…. I'm hoping the old Sally will show up.”

Of course, the last time Sally ran at Ellis, it launched that her three-race win streak. Johnsen promised before the Ellis victory that if she won, he would donate $500 to the Kentuckiana Friends of V foundation that raises money for cancer research and programs. Bob Valvano and Mike Pratt happened to be broadcasting their sports-talk show on Louisville's ESPN 680 that day as part of a KFOV fund-raiser.

It turns out that KFOV is having a golf fundraiser on Monday in Louisville. Johnsen knows a good-luck charm when he experiences one, saying, “If Sally wins the Groupie Doll, we'll donate $1,000. One of the best races of her career was at Ellis Park. We're hoping that setting will create some more success for her. She is the ultimate one-turn mile horse, and that's perfect for her.”

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