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Nancy Underwood Named Executive Director of BEST

Nancy Underwood has been named executive director of the Backstretch Employee Service Team. Underwood succeeds Paul Ruchames, who retired in December after 14 years leading the organization.

Founded in 1989, BEST is a non-profit organization devoted to supporting the health and well-being of the backstretch community living and working at Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park. BEST provides on-site counseling and primary healthcare services, access to health insurance, and case management assistance. Much of this work is accomplished by the dedicated BEST staff located at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, with healthcare services provided by Saratoga Hospital and Northwell Health.

Underwood has directed BEST's efforts at Saratoga Race Course since 2014. During that period, BEST significantly expanded its presence and impact for the backstretch community living and working at Saratoga from April-November each year.

In 2023, BEST opened a new, modern health care clinic on the Oklahoma side of Saratoga Race Course. Funded by philanthropist John Hendrickson in memory of his late wife, Marylou Whitney, and Saratoga Hospital, the Saratoga Backstretch Healthcare Clinic is a state-of-the-art facility with six examination rooms, a lab for blood work and space for staff, education and on-site insurance specialists.

“BEST is successful because of the dedication of our staff, volunteers and healthcare providers,” said Underwood. “I am honored for the opportunity to lead this organization at a time when the future of Thoroughbred racing in New York State is so bright. I thank the BEST Board of Directors for their commitment to advancing our mission in the years ahead.”

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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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Marylou Whitney Auction to Benefit Saratoga Backstretch Clinic

The Marylou Whitney Collection Auction, benefitting The Saratoga Backstretch Clinic, will kick off at midnight, Monday, July 27 and continues through Saratoga’s Whitney Day, Saturday, Aug. 1, at 11:59 pm. The auction benefits the new building that will be the future home of the backstretch medical clinic operated at Saratoga Race Course by Saratoga Hospital and the Backstretch Employee Service Team.
Included among the personal remembrances of the philanthropic icon known as the ‘Queen of Saratoga’ is a 1992 Jaguar XJS Convertible in British Racing Green with tan leather interior, featuring a V12 Engine and under 36,000 miles.

Originally, the auction list featured Marylou’s 1985 red Jaguar XJ6, however, upon pre-auction inspection it has been removed and replaced with her “Kentucky Jaguar.”
For more information and to register in advance visit www.marylouwhitneycollection.com.

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Whitney Collection Auction to Benefit Saratoga Backstretch Clinic

The Marylou Whitney Collection Auction, an online event featuring items owned by the late philanthropist, will benefit the new backstretch medical clinic operated at Saratoga Race Course by Saratoga Hospital and the Backstretch Employee Service Team.

Among the offerings up for auction are a diamond choker necklace and a pristine 1985 red Jaguar XJ6, as well as couture ensembles and cocktail dresses by Bill Blass, Arnold Scassi, and Chanel; evening purses by Judith Lieber Couture and Chanel; fur coats; hats; vintage dresses; and designer scarves by Hermes and Tiffany.

The website, www.MarylouWhitneyCollection.com, debuts Wednesday at 10 a.m. for preview only. The auction begins Monday, July 27 at midnight and continues through Saturday, Aug. 1, at 11.59 pm: Whitney Day at Saratoga Race Course. Bidding and “Buy It Now” options will be available.

“As I began the difficult task of going through Marylou’s personal items at each of our homes, she seemed to speak to me,” Whitney’s husband John Hendrickson said. “No one shared her blessings and good fortune more than Marylou. No one was more dedicated to helping charities than Marylou…and so the idea was born. Her spirit of giving will live on–Marylou’s personal items are going for a greater good.”

Saratoga Hospital President and CEO, Angelo Calbone added, “Once again, Saratoga Hospital owes a debt of gratitude to Marylou–and to John, who chose us as a beneficiary of this auction. We know how much the backstretch workers meant to Marylou, and we are honored to play a key role in making sure they continue to receive the care they need and deserve.”

BEST launched the backstretch clinic in a trailer at Saratoga Race Course in 2005 and partnered with Saratoga Hospital in 2009. Since then, a team of bilingual doctors, nurses, and other Saratoga Hospital healthcare professionals have provided primary care, disease management and prevention, and other services to the backstretch community.

Paul Ruchames, executive director of BEST, expressed his appreciation.

“We were thrilled to learn that John committed to building this new, state-of-the-art facility, as a tribute to the healing spirit that Marylou exuded,” Ruchames said. “The welfare of backstretch workers was so close to her heart, and they loved her. The public’s participation in this auction will appropriately honor her legacy of kindness to everyone.”

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