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Breeders’ Cup Donates $50,000 To Nourish Lexington, Nourish The Backstretch At Keeneland

The Breeders' Cup announced Wednesday a $50,000 charitable donation to Nourish Lexington, a community support fund co-founded by Keeneland that prepares and distributes fresh and nutritious meals to those needing immediate access to food. Since April, Nourish has provided over 165,000 meals to individuals suffering from food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This donation will also support Nourish the Backstretch, a program which provides meals to the backstretch community at Keeneland and the Thoroughbred Training Center on Paris Pike.

“The importance of community has never been more apparent than it has during this difficult year,” said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “Both Nourish Lexington and Nourish the Backstretch are providing essential help to many in the Lexington community, including backstretch workers, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud to support their work and are forever grateful to our home town of Lexington for its support and to the dedicated backstretch workers at the heart of our industry.”

Founded in April 2020 in immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, FoodChain, VisitLEX, Keeneland and the Murry Foundation created Nourish Lexington. The Nourish model utilizes the talents of displaced hospitality employees, along with local restaurants and catering partners to provide scratch-made meals for the food insecure. Since its inception, Nourish has provided over $70,000 in wages and stipends to hospitality workers and $435,500 to local food growers, suppliers, restaurants and caterers impacted by the pandemic.

Born out of Nourish Lexington, Nourish the Backstretch is an initiative that specifically targets the backstretch community, providing meals to these vital members of the Thoroughbred industry. Over the course of Breeders' Cup week and throughout the month of November, Nourish the Backstretch will use the Breeders' Cup donation to provide meals to backstretch workers at both Keeneland and the Thoroughbred Training Center on Paris Pike including a grab-and-go Thanksgiving Dinner from Keeneland's Track Kitchen on November 23. Nourish will engage local restaurants and catering partners to provide support for the backstretch effort. Locations and timing for Nourish the Backstretch will be communicated through Keeneland's Chaplaincy program and the Comó App.

“It's impossible to overstate the impact of this donation,” said Becca Self, Executive Director of FoodChain. “As we've been working to get meals out to vulnerable kids, adults and seniors since mid-March, we've only seen the need rise as more people find themselves without jobs or childcare. Many of the families we see report that the meals they receive through Nourish Lexington are the highest quality they've had in years, with kids even trying and enjoying new flavors and local ingredients. We know these dishes are providing more than just dietary necessities in these troubled times, and by capitalizing on our local food expertise in preparing them, we truly are able to nourish our community members.”

These latest donations, made in honor of the upcoming 2020 Breeders' Cup World Championships, mirror efforts Breeders' Cup has made throughout the pandemic to support the communities hit the hardest. Previous donations include those made to the following organizations:

Race Track Chaplaincy of America – an organization whose purpose is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, & educational needs of the workers within the horse racing industry.
USBG National Charity Foundation's COVID-19 Relief Campaign, which bolsters the USBG Bartender Emergency Assistance Program to support qualified bartenders, bar backs, and bar servers who need financial assistance as a result of a catastrophic event or an emergency hardship.
Restaurant Workers Relief Program – a joint project from Maker's Mark and the Lee Initiative, a charitable organization formed by Chef Edward Lee in Louisville. It's a multicity effort to support hourly employees (and out-of-work owners) struggling to make ends meet. Participating cities: Louisville, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Seattle, Cincinnati, Brooklyn, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Lexington, Boston, San Francisco, and New Orleans.
For more information about Breeders' Cup's ongoing efforts to support the horse racing community and the local Lexington community in these trying times, please visit BreedersCup.com/donate.

The 2020 Breeders' Cup World Championships will take place November 6-7 and air live on NBC and NBC Sports Network. As spectators will not be on site due to the pandemic, fans are encouraged to join in the conversation using the hashtag #MyBreedersCup.

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NYRA, TVG To Contribute $410,000 To COVID Relief Via Backstretch, Aftercare Programs

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and TVG today announced a series of COVID-19 relief donations for a broad spectrum of non-profit organizations working to support the thoroughbred racing community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $410,000 in charitable contributions will be distributed to seven non-profit organizations including the New York Chapter of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA), the Belmont Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T), the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA), the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC), the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP), the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF) and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

“The racing industry has rallied in incredible ways in response to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kip Levin, CEO of TVG. “The entire TVG team is grateful that our partnership with NYRA will benefit these great organizations who do so much every day to help those in need.”

NYRA and TVG created the relief fund in the spring of 2020 to proactively respond to the myriad challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the 54-day suspension of live racing in New York, the closure of casinos across the state and the continued lack of on-track attendance at all racetracks in New York.

“These organizations are all longtime partners of NYRA who have performed outstanding and oftentimes heroic work throughout the pandemic,” said NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke. “Our thanks to TVG for recognizing the importance of the services they provide to the men and women who sustain the sport here in New York.”

As a result of the success of the joint effort between NYRA and TVG, the NYRTCA, B.E.S.T and the BCCA, whose work is devoted to the overall health and well-being of New York's backstretch community, will each receive donations of $100,000.

In addition, $30,000 each will be donated to the RMTC and the RTIP with $25,000 going to both the PDJF and the TAA.

In early March, NYRA established the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan Committee, comprised of key NYRA staff members as well as representatives from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), B.E.S.T, and the NYRTCA. Working together, the committee developed and implemented health and safety protocols aligning with the most updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the New York State Department of Health.

Representatives of B.E.S.T, NYRTCA and BCCA set up food banks, distributed masks, provided up-to-date communications on health care, worked as translators and collected and even distributed gift cards for groceries for the hundreds of Belmont-based backstretch workers and their families. They also created more virtual learning opportunities and at-home instruction for the children of backstretch workers enrolled in Anna House, the childcare and early education facility at Belmont Park, along with performing hundreds of other tasks that will never be recorded.

TVG has been able to remain on air since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and has prioritized keeping its employees safe through strict social distancing, health protocols and remote broadcasting. The network has maintained a strong commitment to the horse racing industry and has continued sponsorships of the TVG Pacific Classic, TVG.com Haskell Invitational and the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile while also expanding to sponsor additional races at Keeneland in both July and October as well as a Breeders' Crown race. Additionally, TVG has partnered with charitable organizations throughout the industry, including the TAA, California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) and the PDJF to raise funding and awareness.

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‘Breaking New Ground’: Woodbine Releases Corporate Responsibility Report

Woodbine Entertainment (Woodbine) proudly released its 2019/20 Corporate Responsibility Report on Tuesday. The report summarizes the company's recent achievements during the April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 fiscal year. While the report focuses on this period, it also includes information on how Woodbine's operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Titled Breaking New Ground, the 2019/20 Woodbine Corporate Responsibility Report focuses on the company's commitment to the communities in which it operates, philanthropy, industry leadership, property development and sustaining the horse racing industry.

“While this year has been extremely difficult for so many, including those in horse racing, we have been highly focused on strengthening our foundation to prepare us for a future of prosperity across the industry,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “Through this preparation, and despite the ongoing uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, we are optimistic about our future based on the quality of our racing, strength of our brand and efficient management of our operation.”

The report highlights contributions to three broad areas that encapsulate Woodbine's charitable initiatives including Supporting Community Health, For the Love of Horses, and Our Footprint. Additionally, the report provides an update on the status of key endeavours such as industry leadership, optimal land development, world-class racing, people and culture, and more.

COVID-19 Response Highlights:

Backstretch remained open as an essential service to provide stabling and care for upwards of 1,700 horses.
Frequent communications with Standardbred and Thoroughbred stakeholders via new weekly updates.
Developed “Woodbine's Guide to Working and Racing Safely” that documents policies and procedures created to operate and race in the safest way possible.
Responsive and comprehensive planning contributed to being the first professional sport in Canada allowed to return to competition since pandemic closures.
Rigorous health and safety protocols saw screening of 500-1,000 essential workers per day on site.
Pivoted to safely hosting spectator-free premier races, including The Queen's Plate, Pepsi North America Cup, Ricoh Woodbine Mile and Mohawk Million.

Charitable highlights within the 2019/20 Corporate Responsibility Report include:

Supported more than 100 community-based organizations and charitable causes.
Created the Breeders' Crown Charity Challenge which had a record one-time donation of $282,996.00 to five local charities including $109,484.00 won by the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society.
Hosted six 50/50 draws at Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park raising more than $27,500.00 for five different charities.
Received the Osler Award for Philanthropic Leadership for being a long-term supporter of the Etobicoke General Hospital.
Hosted (2019) for the third time, the Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer event that saw more than 1,900 participants raise a record-breaking $3.1 million for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Addressed food insecurity through the production and distribution of hundreds of pounds of food from the Woodbine Cares Community Garden to local community organizations.
Honoured to receive naming rights of the emegency waiting rooms at Etobicoke General Hospital and Milton District Hospital as acknowledgement of Woodbine's long-term and sustained financial support of both medical centres.

Business highlights within the 2019/20 Corporate Responsibility Report include:

Hosted three industry summits called “Stronger Together” to increase communication to industry stakeholders in order to educate them on the workings of the industry, our operations and policies and generally introduce a new level of transparency.
Invested in our industry through opening a new seven-furlong Kentucky Bluegrass inner turf course and new Standardbred paddock.
Commenced the first phase of land development at Woodbine Racetrack including a planned Metrolinx train station and municipal infrastructure necessary for the development of a world-class casino resort.
The economic impact of horse racing continues to be significant with the industry contributing more than $2.3 billion annually to Ontario's gross domestic product. Additionally, the horse racing industry employees more than 60,000 people or 45,433 full-time equivalent jobs.

“Every year, we work to build relationships,” said Zenia Wadhwani, Woodbine's Director, Community Relations and Corporate Affairs. “To be a good neighbour and give with the intent of making an impact in the lives of individuals, families and communities. To bring our employees together and foster the value of caring for each other and those around us. To make decisions that will be good for the environment and to be a better corporate citizen. Each year, we aim to improve upon what we have accomplished the previous year. This report is a glimpse into how we do that.”

As a responsible corporate citizen, Woodbine Entertainment has produced a Corporate Responsibility Report every year since 2006. The 2019/20 report is publicly accessible and is available for download or online viewing at WoodbineCares.ca.

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Colin Keane Takes Second Irish Champion Jockey Title

Colin Keane has earned his second Irish Champion Jockey title and a century of winners when he booted home Pretty Boy Floyd (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB]) to win a handicap at The Curragh on Monday. The season is officially over in Ireland at Naas next weekend, but Keane’s nearest rival, Shane Foley, is still seven winners behind. Foley was also in action on Monday, but both jockeys will not be present at Naas, because they are riding in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland on Nov. 6-7. The highlight of Keane’s season was a brace of Classics, the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas with Siskin (First Defence) and the G1 Irish Oaks aboard Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

“That’s a great way to finish up,” said Keane, who previously won the Flat championship in 2017. “It was nice to get the 100 up on my last ride. I’m delighted–to win the title once is what you dream of growing up, so to get a second one, when it didn’t look likely for such a long time, is great.

“Shane Foley is a good friend of mine and would have been a very deserving winner of it. September was probably the real game-changer, because I rode 26 winners that month. That really helped.”

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