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NYRA Dedicates New Backstretch Healthcare Clinic at Saratoga

The New York Racing Association, Inc. joined Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, philanthropist John Hendrickson and representatives from Saratoga Hospital, the Backstretch Employee Service Team and the New York Thoroughbred Horseman's Association for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of the new Saratoga Backstretch Clinic at historic Saratoga Race Course on Tuesday.

The Saratoga Backstretch Clinic will allow Saratoga Hospital and BEST to expand on the existing healthcare services offered to members of NYRA's backstretch community. Located just inside Gate 16, the backstretch clinic was constructed over the past year to replace a doublewide trailer that previously housed on-site healthcare services at Saratoga Race Course.

“The good that comes of projects like this one is incalculable, serving as a benchmark in our industry on how we take care of and provide amenities and access for the backstretch community,” said NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke. “This clinic is going to be indispensable in what it does for the well-being of the community. This will allow Saratoga Hospital and BEST to take this (clinic) to a world-class level and it's incredible.”

Hendrickson funded the construction of the backstretch healthcare clinic as a tribute to his late wife, Marylou Whitney. Hendrickson said of the ground-breaking that “this is a really great day and I know Marylou is looking down and is extremely happy.”

“They say health care is the foundation of every community,” Hendrickson added. “This fantastic new facility will improve lives and save lives. The backstretch now has a state-of-the-art medical facility that they truly deserve. Marylou thought that Saratoga should be the summer place for everyone, especially for those who take care of our beloved thoroughbreds.”

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Saratoga Backstretch Clinic To Celebrate Opening Next Tuesday

Officials from the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will welcome Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, philanthropist John Hendrickson and representatives from Saratoga Hospital and the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST) for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of the new Saratoga Backstretch Clinic next Tuesday, July 11, the organization said in a release Friday.

The new clinic will allow Saratoga Hospital and BEST to expand on the existing healthcare services offered to members of NYRA's backstretch community. The modern healthcare clinic was constructed over the past year to replace a doublewide trailer that previously housed on-site healthcare services at Saratoga Race Course.

As a tribute to his late wife, Marylou Whitney, John Hendrickson funded construction of the new clinic. The opening continues Mrs. Whitney and Mr. Hendrickson's long-running commitment to the backstretch community.

Since Mrs. Whitney's death in 2019, Mr. Hendrickson has continued to lend his support to a variety of initiatives, including backstretch appreciation dinners, English as a Second Language classes and bingo nights.

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NYRA Announces New Backstretch Healthcare Clinic at Saratoga

Officials at NYRA Cares and Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) announced that a new healthcare clinic will be built at Saratoga Race Course and is due to open in 2023. As a tribute to his late wife, Marylou Whitney, philanthropist John Hendrickson is funding construction of the new clinic, which will replace a double wide trailer that has housed on-site healthcare services at the track.

The new clinic will provide a dramatically improved experience for those receiving primary and emergency healthcare services at Saratoga Race Course, which will be provided by doctors and medical professionals from Saratoga Hospital. John Hendrickson has pledged $1.2 million for construction of the permanent clinic, some $400,000 of which was raised in a 2020 auction of possessions belonging to Mrs. Whitney.

To date, a concrete foundation has been poured for the new clinic, which will include a large waiting area, four examination rooms, a lab for blood work and office space. A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Wednesday, July 13, on the eve of the 2022 summer meet. Work will then resume in September with the building to open in the spring of 2023.

“No one shared her blessings and good fortune more than Marylou,” Mr. Hendrickson said. “No one was more dedicated to helping charities than Marylou, and so the idea was born. Her spirit of giving will live on.”

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NY Racetrack Chaplaincy Breaks Ground on Multi-Purpose Building

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy of America, created in 1986, held a groundbreaking ceremony Mar. 28 for a multi-purpose building and chapel on the grounds of Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

The 3,500-square foot facility (which Chaplaincy officials hope will open this fall) will be located just inside the Gate 6 entrance to Belmont Park and will include a chapel which will also function as a multi-purpose room, office space for the chaplaincy staff, and a classroom to be used as a learning center. Among those who participated in the groundbreaking ceremony were David O'Rourke, president and CEO of NYRA; Ramon Dominguez, retired Hall of Fame jockey who serves as president of the chaplaincy; and Michael Dubb, Thoroughbred owner and the founder and principal of the Beechwood Organization, who also donated construction materials for the entire building. Major funding was provided by several parties including Lisa and Kenny Troutt of WinStar Farm, Kristine and Chris Kay, the late Marylou Whitney and her husband John Hendrickson, and the estate of the late Dolores Ochota.

“This facility is a dream come true for the chaplaincy and for all the people it helps,” said Dominguez. “We are extremely grateful to all those who played a part in making it a reality.”

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