Backstretch Appreciation program in its 11th year
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Racing’s unsung heroes will again have plenty of fun activities to enjoy when not caring for the beautiful equine athletes they work with during the Saratoga meet.
This year’s Backstretch Appreciation program, organized and sponsored by Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, features Bingo nights with expensive prizes such as televisions and bicycles; trips to Lake George, Albany-Saratoga Speedway and Double M Rodeo; and a series of ethnic-themed dinners.
Activities are scheduled every day of the meet, which opens next Friday, July 20 and runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3.
Mondays are Soccer Nights, when teams compete for prizes in spirited, hard-played games. The championship is scheduled for Aug. 27.
Each Tuesday and Thursday, a Learn English or Spanish program is held, which helps Latinborn track workers improve their language skills.
Most backstretch workers, who rise early and work long hard hours, are from Latin American countries, and are quite often separated from spouses and family members during the Saratoga meet.
The Backstretch Appreciation program helps prevent the isolation they might experience, without a positive outlet to look forward to when their work day is done.
The fun starts on Opening Day, when workers are treated to make-your-own sundaes courtesy of Stewart’s Shops.
Dinners are held each Sunday and include Mexican food (July 22), authentic Spanish cuisine (July 29), Italian food (Aug. 5), Taste of the Caribbean (Aug. 12), a barbecue (Aug. 19), Thanksgiving dinner (Aug. 26) and a large Saratoga Gives Back dinner on Sept. 2.
This is the program’s 11th year.
To help as a volunteer contact the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.), Racetrack Chaplaincy or Saratoga Economic Opportunity Coun-
cil. To contribute financially, donations may be sent to BEST with the notation “Backstretch Appreciation Program.”
Foal Patrol
Hendrickson is also president of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, whose Foal Patrol program recently surpassed one million views on various media platforms.
The project, launched last December, put live cameras in foaling stalls at multiple farms in Kentucky, New York, and Florida, allowing fans to follow specific mares throughout their pregnancies, through foaling, and in the early weeks of bonding with their foals.
People in 37 countries around the world have tuned in.
Based on the first year’s success, the museum announced recently that a second season will debut this fall.
Announcements regarding the participating farms and mares for season two will be made later this summer.
“People have really fallen in love with these mares and foals and this project has been a great educational tool to help people learn about breeding and raising thoroughbreds,”
said Cathy Marino, museum and Hall of Fame director. “We’re really looking forward to continuing Foal Patrol and making it even better with our second season.”