New York Thoroughbred Horsemens Association

N EWSLETTER
Winter, 2013 www.nytha.com Albany Photo Gallery-Tom Killips Photos

A Voice in Albany
The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association held a reception for New York's freshman legislators in Albany on the evening of Monday, Jan. 28. The purpose of the event was to educate the incoming senators and assemblymembers about the Thoroughbred industry in New York. The legislators had the chance to talk with people involved in racing and breeding in the state, learning there is more to the business than what goes on at the track. Despite wintry weather and overflowing schedules, NYTHA's reception drew a full house. Senator Kathleen Marchione is newly elected to represent District 43, which includes Saratoga Springs. She had seven events on her agenda Monday evening, but meeting with members of the Thoroughbred industry was high on her list. Senator Marchione got right to the point. "What issues would you like to talk about?" She was introduced to a group that included NYTHA President Rick Violette Jr., Vice President Pat Kelly and Board members Rick Schosberg and David Donk. Also in attendance were Senator John Bonacic, the chair of the New York Senate's Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, and Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow, the chair of the New York Assembly's Racing and Wagering Committee, as well as members of both Committees. "This was a great opportunity to meet with our legislators and reinforce the importance of the equine industry to New York, underlining the $4.2 billion in economic impact, the 33,000 jobs and the 1.3 million acres of green space that our industry provides to the state," Violette Jr. said. "We'd like to thank all of the legislators who attended, and to offer a special thanks to Senator Bonacic and Assemblyman Pretlow for their continued interest and support."

Senator Bonacic & Assemblyman Pretlow

G Mercado, C Turietta & Assemblymen Chad Lupinacci & Andrew Garbarino

(From right) Assemblyman Pretlow, Rick Violette Jr., NYTHA Scholarship student Camila Turietta & her husband Gabriel Mercado

Sen. Marchione & Pat Kelly

Senator Marchione understands full well that the Thoroughbred industry is not only pivotal to the economy of Saratoga, but it is fundamental to the agricultural industry and to job creation in New York State as a whole, Violette said.

Added Rick Schosberg, "Discussing crucial issues, such as revenue flow from gaming, track safety and the general economic impact of our industry with chairmen Pretlow and Bonacic was key, and the response from the new legislators like Senator Marchione and Senator Terry Gipson from the Dutchess and Putnam County region was very encouraging. They really were engaged by our talking points and discussion." A Voice in Albany cont. p8

Jim Gallagher, Paul & Rick Schosberg & Richie Migliore

Asm. Margaret Markey, Jack Hardy & R Violette

Letter from the President

There has been much discussion of late on the topic of winter horse racing in New York. There are some who feel the sport would be better off without it. Nothing could be further from the truth. If winter racing is eliminated in New York, it will cripple the Thoroughbred industry in the state. Opponents of winter racing too often form opinions without examining the ramifications, and the many dominoes that would tumble without it. There are many reasons why winter racing is a vital aspect of New York's Thoroughbred industry. Chief among them are the thousands of jobs supported by the industry. These jobs are central to racing's importance to the state. If you interrupt the cycle of year-round racing for any significant length of time, you also disrupt the cycle of full-time employment it creates. If winter racing is shut down for even a month or two, the barn areas at Aqueduct and Belmont Park would empty out, and we could lose 3,000 to 5,000 jobs in the blink of an eye. The New York breeding industry would also take a huge hit. The New York-bred program is sustained in no small part by the purses earned in restricted races over the winter months. If you reduce the number of racing opportunities for New York-breds, you also reduce the incentive to participate in the New York breeding industry, and curtail the development of what is fast becoming one of the most vibrant breeding programs in the country.

Breeders would not be motivated to bring new broodmares and stallions to the state, and the breeding stock already here could be shipped to states with more advantageous programs, taking thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue with them. Bonus Depreciation Extended Aqueduct is a money maker for the New A bonus depreciation that allows York Racing Association. The presence of businesses to write off 50% of the cost Resorts World has greatly of new property purchased and placed reduced racing's physical into service in a single calendar year, footprint in the Aqueduct instead of spreading depreciation grandstand, in turn greatly deductions over a number of years, has reducing NYRA's overhead. been extended for 2013. This The racing, while it is clearly deduction applies only to new property, not our "A Game," still such as new farm equipment and generates significant yearlings. Enacted as part of the Tax handle. Revenue is up, the profit margin has Relief Act of 2010, the bonus grown--winter racing has a depreciation was scheduled to expire at positive impact on NYRA's the end of 2012, but was included as a bottom line. When the doors provision of the American Taxpayer finally open to the Relief Act, signed into law Jan. 2, 2013. long-awaited Longshots simulcasting facility at Aqueduct, the balance sheets will look even better. Winter racing also supports Published quarterly by: purses throughout the year. The New York Thoroughbred Horsemens Association revenue from the handle at P. O. Box 170070 Aqueduct outpaces the level of Jamaica, NY 11417 purses distributed in the winter, Aqueduct Phone: (718) 848-5045 allowing the NYRA purse fund to Aqueduct Fax: (718) 848-9269 grow, and enabling NYRA to offer Executive Director: Jim Gallagher bigger purses during the Belmont e-mail: jgallagher@nytha.com spring and fall meets, and at Director of Communications: Andy Belfiore Saratoga. This attracts better horses e-mail: abelfiore@nytha.com and produces high-quality racing. Web site: www.nytha.com which in turn generates higher handle. To jeopardize this cycle Reporting the news on the issues of vital interest to the would be simply bad business. New York horsemen. We welcome your comments.

There is no question that our energies and our resources must be used to improve both the racing product and the racing experience. A better product on a day-to-day basis benefits the entire industry. And exploring all options to improve the safety of the horses and riders must always be a priority. But efforts must be directed at making improvements not only at Saratoga in August, but at Aqueduct in January as well.

NYTHA Newsletter

NYTHA BOARD MEMBERS

Rick Violette Jr President

Michael Shanley 1st VP

Pat Kelly 2nd VP

Dave Donk

Kiaran McLaughlin

Herb Oster

Linda Rice

Rick Schosberg

William Terrill

Stephen Zorn

Winter, 2013

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Meet the NYTHA Board

BEHIND THE SCENES...with Bill Terrill
Bill Terrill does his best work off stage. A third-generation horseman on his third term as a NYTHA Board member, Terrill feels he is at his most effective on the backstretch, fielding concerns and complaints from fellow owners and trainers. "When you're out on the rail, and guys get to beefing, I can handle that," he explained. "No matter how much you do, some guys are going to be unhappy. I listen to them, and I can talk it through with them." And when complaints seem unreasonable and concerns unwarranted? "I can handle that, too," the forthright New Yorker said with a smile. "I don't take any...nonsense." But it is not only in his NYTHA role that Terrill gets it done backstage. While he grew up on the racetrack and served as an assistant to his Dad, trainer "Red" Terrill, for many years, his primary career for more than three decades was as a Broadway stagehand. Splitting time between the track and the theater is also a Terrill family tradition. "How did we get into the stagehand business?" Terrill echoed. "My grandfather was a jockey, and my grandmother was a dancer in the Hippodrome, and they needed somebody to fill in for Al Jolson for a scene on a horse. Al Jolson & jockey John Longden They brought my grandfather in, and Jolson liked him, so he hooked him up with the delegate for Local 1 [the stagehand union].
3 Winter, 2013

"It's like being on the backside with the best horses and the best trainers," Terrill added. "And when you're backstage, they've got to have somebody to hang around with, He told my grandfather that he'd make so you get little friendly with them. That's a much more money as a stagehand than he lot of fun. You enjoy what you do, and you would working on the racetrack, so that's get paid for it, too." what he did. Once he got in, my uncles all Terrill used the bankroll he was able to got in, my Dad got in, I got in, and now my build as a stagehand to get back into the son Billy does it, too." game that was his first love. In 1976, he There are more than a few parallels invested in his first racehorse and sent it to between working on Broadway and at his Dad. "It's pretty good when your Dad Belmont. The hours are long, the job is trains for youthe bills aren't quite as steep," labor-intensive, and both worlds tend to get he quipped. into one's blood. The stable has had its ups and downs, "When I first started out as a stagehand, I but now numbers eight horses in training, served my apprenticeship in the Metropolitan eight broodmares, and a share in the stallion Opera House," Terrill said. "You used to work In Summation. four days during the week, from 9 in the "To be perfectly honest, it's really hard to morning to 4:30 in the afternoon, you'd have do some good as an owner," Terrill said. "But one day off, then you'd work six I've had pretty decent success, I've had a few performances on the weekends, for $237 a nice horses." week, gross." The best of the Terrill string has been That wasn't a bad paycheck, back in the Gourmet Dinner, owned in partnership with day, but it wasn't the only draw. Ocala Stud. A $40,000 OBS April 2-year-old "I got to see the greats," the enthused purchase, Gourmet Dinner has won four horseman recalled. "I did stakes, ran second in the the Royal Ballet, the GII Fountain of Youth, and Stuttgart Ballet, I saw has earned more than Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf $1 million. Nureyev, the best opera "He won the Delta singers--Joan Sutherland, Jackpot in Louisiana, that Richard Tucker, Robert was pretty cool," Terrill Merrill." offered. "When he hit the Terrill had not left the stretch, I ran with him from racetrack behind, the eighth pole to the wire. I however. think I beat him by a nose." "They used to have Another of Terrill's top the Race of the Week' horses owed her name to TV show on Saturdays, his show biz career. The and we'd be watching in original "Travelator" was a between acts," he said. 50-foot moveable "Richard Tucker watched, bandstand used on the set Terrill & Travelator Coglianese Photo too, and we used to bet of "Movin' Out." Travelator, horse for horse. That was pretty cool." the horse, was bought for $52,000 at auction Terrill has rubbed elbows with some of as a juvenile. The New York-bred cruised to the biggest names in show business. a 13 1/2-length maiden win in her career "I put in 37 years on Broadway and I met opener, and went on to seven stakes some great people," he remarked. "I worked victories, bankrolling more than $650,000. with Al Pacino, Anne Bancroft, Dustin She was sold as a broodmare prospect for Hoffman. I used to work the concerts at $400,000. Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall, Dynamic Star, a stakes winner of too, shows like Frank Sinatra or the Rolling $237,755 and runner-up in the GI Acorn and Stones. The last show that I did was called GI Mother Goose, also carried the colors of Movin' Out.' Billy Joel wrote the music and Terrill's Our Sugar Bear Stable. Twyla Tharp was the choreographer. That Terrill cont. p4 was some show.
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Terrill cont.

A couple of years after he took his first dip into horse ownership, Terrill became involved in another racetrack endeavor, one that has become his bread and butter.

"I love the horses, I love being around them," he said. "There is nothing that's better for you. You try to get into their heads, see what's going on. You try to get their coats good, get the dapples coming out, you try to get them looking and feeling healthy. We take better care of them than we do ourselves, that's a definite. It's in your blood, I think--it's a great thing, horse racing." Terrill's dedication to the horses and to the sport led him to run for the NYTHA Board.

"Racing's future is scary," he remarked, but added, "If we can keep the VLT money, and if the purses are good, then people will bring their better horses here, they will spend more money in New York, and New York will be top-of-the-line racing, which is what it needs to be. You can see how the handle grows when you have quality racing, you can see how much difference it makes. We want to keep things on track." You can be sure Terrill will be working behind the scenes to help make that happen.

TEEING UP FOR NYTHA PAC

"I have a van company, Ebert Vans, I started that in 1978," he said. "That's my main business now. My mom was an Ebert, and her uncle had a big company on Plainfield Avenue in Elmont. He sold out and retired, and her brother, who had worked for the van company, came to help us at Madison Square Garden. It happened that the horse show was going on upstairs. We saw the horse vans parked outside, and he got it into his head that he wanted to get a van, so that's what we did. "The next thing you know, I'm hustling, driving the van myself, and taking off the stagehand job to do it. I ended up with a couple of tractors and trailers, and there you go." The van business has also become a family affair, but that may be a temporary arrangement. "In the beginning, I used to do it all," Terrill said. "Now my son Tommy, who goes to university in Miami, has been running the company for me up at Saratoga, and he's really good at it. But he's motivated. He was talking about going to medical school, and he's taken the practice test for the LSATs, to get into law school." The Terrill family also includes Bills wife Bernadette, and daughters Amy and Jennie, both teachers. Jennie happens to be married to trainer Bruce Brown, and Brown now handles the Terrill family runners. "We're a team," the family patriarch said proudly. Terrill is retired from Broadway, and leaves most of the day-to-day operation of the van company to his employees (although, he admits, "If a driver doesn't show, I will jump into the van and do it myself"). But he is very much hands-on with his horses.
4 Winter, 2013

The 2012 New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Golf Tournament, held Oct. 16 at Rockville Links in Rockville Centre, boasted its highest turnout ever, with 14 foursomes competing. The event raised more than $20,000 for NYTHA's political action committee. Owner Jack Shelley was once again instrumental in organizing the tournament. More than 60 sponsors participated. NYTHA thanks: the New York Racing Association, contributors of $2,100; Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, and Jack Hardy and his firm Featherstonhaugh, Wiley & Clyne ($1,500 each); the Law Offices of Ron Katiraei ($1,000); Gary Contessa ($800); Pat Kelly Racing Stable ($600); and Chad Brown Racing Stable, Kiaran McLaughlin Racing Stable, Todd Pletcher Racing Stable, and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. ($500 each). Additional donors included Junior Alvarado, Ron Anderson, John Behrendt, Dr. Keith Bogatch, Tom Bush Racing Stable, Javier Castellano, Eddie Castro/agent Mike Gonzalez, Harvey Clarke, Alan Foreman/THA, Ramon Dominguez, Michael Dubb, Jim Gallagher, Alan Garcia, Wilmer Garcia, Craig Gegorek, Timothy E. Hamm Racing Stables, Mark Hennig Racing Stables, Jose Henriquez, Don Larkin, Jose Lezcano, Mike Luzzi, Rajiv Maragh, Bill Mott Thoroughbred Stables, Matt Muzikar, Edgar Prado, Bill Punk, Joel Rosario, Steve Rushing, Bob Spiegel, Cornelio Velasquez and John Velazquez; and Beachwood Racing Stables LLC, Capehart Equine LLC/Jim Messenger, Mgr., Cathedral Service Station, Ebert Van Lines, Fox Ridge Farm, Gastromax3, Hidden Brook Farm, Dr. James C. Hunt and Associates, John Theissen Children's Foundation, King Umberto's Restaurant, Law Office of Todd Engel, Morning Line Enterprises, National Steeplechase Association, NYKY Thoroughbreds LLC, Rising Star Stable, Sallee Vans, Saratoga National, Dr. Sheehan of Franklin Family Dental, Stadium Club, Tack Room Products, Triple Star Feed and Victory Lane Liniment. The foursome registering the lowest score was comprised of Gary Gullo, Tony Micallef, Pito Rosa and Mike Luzzi. NYTHA Board member David Donk was the closest to the hole on a Par 3, and Buzz Tenney had the longest drive. "Winning the closest to the pin falls in the category of Better lucky than good!" Donk, a member of NYTHAs Legislative/PAC Committee, said with a smile. He added, We appreciate the support from the golfers and sponsors and would like to continue to grow the event. There are so many legislative issues that have a direct and meaningful impact on Thoroughbred racing and on NYTHAs members. It is vital that the horsemens voices continue to be heard in Albany.
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TAKE2 GOES NATIONWIDE IN 2013

TAKE2, the program created in 2012 to promote second Zone careers for retired Thoroughbred racehorses, will have an 4 expanded schedule for its 2013 season. Forty-plus horse 4 shows in 17 different states have signed on to offer TAKE2 4 hunter and jumper classes, which are restricted to registered 4 Thoroughbreds. More shows could be added to the roster 4 this year. The 2013 plan expands the program nationwide to 8 4 include 10 of the 12 U.S. Equestrian Federation zones. 8 The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association 10 last year partnered with the New York Racing Association 3 and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. to launch 3 TAKE2. The program is designed to highlight the success of 7 Thoroughbreds as show horses, and to 1 reward those who compete on 2 Thoroughbreds with awards and prize 3 money in restricted divisions. TAKE2 7 sponsored classes at AA-rated horse 10 shows in New York, New Jersey (where 2 they were co-sponsored by the New 2 Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's 2 Association and Monmouth Park) and 10 Texas (co-sponsored by The Paddock Foundation) in 2012. 2 NYTHA will continue to underwrite the TAKE2 program in 2 New York, and will look to horsemens organizations and 4 members of the industry across the country to fund the 2 classes at their local horse shows. 5 "It is of utmost importance to racing's owners and trainers 1 9 that our horses have the chance for happy and productive 1 lives when they leave the track," NYTHA President Rick 5 Violette Jr. said. "In recent years, it has been harder to find 9 homes for retired racehorses in the sport horse world, 1 because the popularity of Thoroughbreds as hunters and 5 jumpers has been on the decline. We believe TAKE2 is 6 helping to reverse that trend. The program was met with 3 remarkable enthusiasm last year, and horse shows have 6 been eager to add the TAKE2 classes to their prize lists this 7 year. It is also encouraging to discover how many riders, 7 from the pony clubbers to Olympic-class horsemen, now 5 look to the Thoroughbred when it's time to shop for their next 3 horse." 3 In addition to funding prize money and awards for TAKE2 4 classes, the program will also sponsor the $1,500 TAKE2 Jumper Stakes at the three Thoroughbred Celebration Horse Shows in Virginia this year. Invitations to the TAKE2 Jumper Stakes will be extended to the top four finishers in the TAKE2 Jumper classes in 2013, as well as those qualifying at Thoroughbred Celebration and its partner horse shows. TAKE2 is open to all registered Thoroughbreds, raced or unraced, that are verified by The Jockey Club registration papers or lip tattoo number. The TAKE2 Hunter Division offers classes over fences and under saddle, with the fences at 3'0". For the TAKE2 Jumper Division, fences are 3'3"/1.0 meter. For more information, go to www.take2tbreds.com.
5 Winter, 2013

Horse Show HITS Ocala HITS Ocala FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival HITS Ocala Scottsdale Spring Classic Atlanta Spring Scottsdale Spring Festival Blenheim Spring Classic II HITS Culpepper Lexington Spring Premiere Texas Shoot-Out Westbrook Hunt Club Spring Fling Garden State Lexington Spring Encore Lone Star Round Up Showpark Ranch & Coast Classic St. Christopher's HITS Saugerties HITS Saugerties Blenheim June Classic I HITS Saugerties Skidmore College Saratoga Classic Atlanta Summer Skidmore College Saratoga Classic Horse Shows by the Bay Vermont Summer Festival Oregon High Desert II Vermont Summer Festival Lamplight Equifest I Oregon High Desert II Vermont Summer Festival Lamplight Equifest II Maffitt Lake Lexington National Maffitt Lake Texas Sport Horse Cup Texas Rose Classic The Kentucky National HITS Culpepper Capital Challenge Atlanta Fall

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Dates Feb. 12-17 Feb. 26-Mar. 3 Feb. 27-Mar. 3 Mar. 6-10 Mar. 12-17 Mar 13-17 Mar. 20-24 Mar. 20-24 Apr. 3-7 Apr. 17-21 Apr. 24-28 Apr. 24-28 Apr. 25-28 May 1-5 May 1-5 May 1-5 May 7-12 May 8-12 May 22-26 May 29-June 2 June 5-9 June 5-9 June 11-16 June 12-23 June 19-23 July-August July 10-14 July 17-21 July 17-21 July 24-28 July 24-28 July 24-28 July 31-Aug. 4 July 31-Aug. 4 Aug. 7-11 Aug. 7-11 Aug. 29-Sept. 2 Sept. 11-15 Sept. 18-22 Sept. 25-29 Oct. 1-6 Nov. 6-10

TAKE2 2013 Schedule

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Thanks A Million!
Charitable donations from the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association totaled $1.3 million in 2012. The leading beneficiary of NYTHAs benevolence program is the Backstretch Employee Service Team. B.E.S.T., which provides health care and social services to the backstretch workers, received $450,000 in funding from New York's horsemen last year. "NYTHA's steadfast financial support of B.E.S.T. has had an enormous positive impact upon the health and social welfare of the several thousand backstretch workers at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga," said B.E.S.T. Executive Director Paul Ruchames. "Since 2011, B.E.S.T.'s two primary care clinics have had 30% more visits, such that in 2012 over 2,000 workers received primary health care services and sought treatment in the clinics more than 4,000 times. Ruchames added, B.E.S.T. also provides a New York State licensed substance abuse treatment program, and a variety of social services for workers, such as transportation, translation services, access to the internet and Skype, even food and clothing, when needed." The new voucher program, which buys lunch for the grooms and hotwalkers braving the cold to take care of the runners at Aqueduct this winter, has been very well-received, with $14,845 in vouchers redeemed in the first two months of the meet. NYTHA also earmarked more than $62,000 for recreational activities for backstretch workers last year, sponsoring everything from a soccer league and tickets to sporting events to carnivals and zumba classes. Educational initiatives for 2012 included $85,358 in college scholarships for backstretch workers and their children. The NYTHA scholarship students attend programs as diverse as the people themselves, from NYU, St. John's University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Hunter College and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, to out-of-state schools including the University of Kentucky, the University of South Florida, Daytona State College and Coastal Carolina University. NYTHA also provided $51,019 in funding for English as a Second Language courses, and for the Community Center and Language Labs at Belmont Park and Saratoga. "NYTHA is committed to 2012 making a real difference on the backstretch," said trainer Pat Kelly, vice president and chair of the Benevolence Committee. "In addition to our longstanding support of the invaluable services provided by B.E.S.T. and of our scholarship students, we were very pleased to be able to offer the new lunch voucher program at Aqueduct this winter. It's one more way to show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the people who take care of the horses. Our efforts on behalf of the backstretch community and our horses will continue unabated in 2013."

Backstretch Bistro Open for Business

There is a new weekend gathering place on the Belmont Park backstretch. The Backstretch Bistro, the latest brainchild of Lisa Ford, opened Dec. 22 in the B.E.S.T. office adjacent to Gate 6. It offers a Starbucks-like atmosphere, minus the $5 lattes. "It's a place that people on the backstretch can go to relax, meet up with friends, and have fun," said Ford, the founder and director of the Backstretch Education Fund. "It has a bistro feel--we've set it up with wrought iron tables and chairs that you might see in a caf in France, there are area rugs and nice lamps, and I found some Degas prints on eBay that we've hung up. It's a really nice atmosphere. People can enjoy music or TV, go on the internet, or play cards or dominoes. We also have magazines, in English and Spanish, and we have nice pastries and coffee. It's for everybody, it's all free, and it's right there in the B.E.S.T. office --you don't even have to leave the track." B.E.S.T. and the Backstretch Education Fund are sharing the cost of the project, but it is Ford's team who has taken the responsibility of setting up the Bistro each weekend, and of staffing it. The Bistro is open for business from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Alcohol is not permitted. "Right now, we get 10 to 15 people a night," Ford said. "It's great to see them talking and laughing. There just aren't enough places like this for the backstretch workers. It's an attractive spot, a peaceful atmosphere, and when you are in a nice environment, it makes you feel better about yourself." She added, "We'd like to see the program grow. As it takes off, we have plans to invite speakers who will talk about Hispanic art, or the history of horse racing--fun topics. We're hoping for a larger turnout, as more people hear about the Bistro."
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NYTHA BENEVOLENCE
Top Expenditures -

Total: $1,309,122
6 Winter, 2013

Anna House Update

The Belmont Child Care Association's 11th annual holiday gift event was held Dec. 8, with more than 350 children packing Belmont's Turf and Field Club to select presents for their family and themselves. Thanks to the generosity of NYRA, NYTHA, the Marine's Toys for Tots Program and so many caring donors, the children were able to select from thousands of gifts, said BCCA Executive Director Donna Chenkin, adding, As in the past, the items that remained were donated to the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America Metro Division's Christmas party, given the following Monday. Anna House had a lot to celebrate as 2012 came to a close. When Michael Repole offered to buy the 2011 Travers canoe (bearing his stable colors) from NYRA, NYRA officials said they would give it to him if he made a donation to a backstretch charity. Michael selected the BCCA, which received a very generous donation from him and his wife, Maria. That donation was used to install a climbing wall, giving the Anna House kids their own "Himalaya Mountains." The climbing wall was one of many "wish list items. In April, the BCCA will mail out more wish list items for the children. Please look for it and select an item, or more, and help us give the children of the people who take care of the horses a world-class early childhood education, Chenkin said. Anna House has a saying-Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything. We thank you for making that change possible.
7 Winter, 2013

The children will be doing the giving on Feb. 9, when one of Anna House's most loyal benefactors, John Nerud, will celebrate his 100th birthday. The BCCA will present him with a giant birthday card, signed by the children of Anna House, their parents and all of his fans and admirers.

BCCA Earns Industry Service Award

Thoroughbred Charities of America recognized the difference made by the BCCA with their 2012 Industry Service Award at the 23rd Annual Select Stallion Season Auction, held Jan. 5 at the Keeneland Entertainment Center in Lexington. Michael Dubb, chairman of the BCCA Board, and Board Member Teresa Genaro accepted the award.

RTCA-NY Update
The NY Race Track Chaplaincy's annual Adopt-A-Family Program provided more than 100 families with holiday gifts for the children and groceries for their holiday meal. "The task of caring for the backstretch families at Christmas is a real joy to all those that have participated in the Adopt- A-Family Program," said Program Director Karen Chavez. "When each organization and individual takes care of the number of families they can comfortably manage with their time and resources, we can succeed in accomplishing our common mission--making sure that every child has at least one gift under the tree on Christmas morning. We all make Christmas miracles happen when we work together."

"We are honored to host these activities for those that work so hard in this industry during the holiday season," said Nick Caras, who orchestrated the events with the RTCA-NY team. Sponsors included owners Michael Dubb and Mike Repole, as well as Longfellows Restaurant, H&R Block and The Legacy Center, to name a few. Thirty Sewanhaka District students visited the Belmont backstretch in December to spread the Christmas cheer. The students were chosen by their choir directors from Elmont H.S. and Floral Park H.S. to sing Christmas carols in the Morning Line locations in Belmont Park. Regina Agrusso, school staff supervisor of the activity, was on hand.

"They sound amazing!" commented a backstretch employee. The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association treated the backstretch workers to hot cocoa and coffee during the choir performances.

Busy Schedule for Recreation Program

The RTCA-NY recreation calendar, sponsored by NYTHA, was full over the holiday season. The weekly activities for the backstretch community, including bingo, carnivals and movie nights, were well attended at the Aqueduct and Belmont recreation centers. The Chaplaincy also arranged outings that offered those who had never been to New York City the chance to attend basketball games, performances by the Rockettes and WWE wrestling in the Big Apple. Coming up is the Annual Ski Trip, the Valentine's Day Celebration, the Boxes of Love Food Distribution to the families, Disney on Ice and the Ringling Bros. Circus. The Chaplaincy also offers mentoring programs for high school students interested in going to college. For more information, stop by the Chaplaincy Office next to Gate 6 at Belmont Park, call (516) 488-6000, ext. 4063, or visit www.rtcany.org.
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The NY Race Track Chaplaincy also welcomed children from Aqueduct and Belmont for a Christmas Carnival, and hosted a dinner in Saratoga for all the families that are part of the horse racing industry in the Capital Region.

A Voice in Albany, cont.

NYTHA Board member David Donk advocated a pro-active stance in Albany. "It is up to all of us to continue to educate our new legislators, and maybe bring them and their families to the track for a morning backside David Donk & Sen. Marchione tour and a day at the races, Donk said, adding, I was pleasantly surprised at how receptive and interested the legislators were on the issues that horse racing faces. Of utmost importance is emphasizing to them that any new gambling bill needs to protect the Thoroughbred industrys current revenue stream." Rick Schosberg's father, Paul, Director Emeritus of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. and former president of America's Community Bankers, provided insight gained from three decades of experience in the political arena. "What was striking about the event was the interest of legislators and staffers in the economic dimensions of the Thoroughbred industry," he remarked. "Some, such as the racing committee Chairs, were well grounded in the essentials, but all of them had some recognition of the industry's scope and wanted to learn more. Schosberg continued, This will provide a great opportunity for effective followup through track, farm NYTB Exec. Dir. Jeff Cannizzo & Paul and training Schosberg center tours for legislators. A significant factor in our lobbying success in Albany will be our effectiveness in developing a grassroots effort with the horsemen and women in the legislators' local districts. Ongoing cooperation between NYTHA and NYTB will be the key to this."
8 Winter, 2013

Offering a different perspective at the event were NYTHA scholarship student Camila Turietta, who earned her commercial pilot's license after attending Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology in Queens, and Paul Ruchames, the executive director of the Backstretch Employee Service Team. The two explained the many ways that horse racing takes care of its own. "Legislators have what is truly an impossible task--to have an understanding of literally hundreds of issues, each of which has an impact on the lives of thousands of people," Ruchames said. "I was heartened by their genuine interest in our presentations, and I thought our group, without exception, presented persuasive, fact-driven arguments in an impassioned but rational way. I think the positive consequences of a thriving racing industry are now more firmly in each legislator's head." Albany Photo Gallery-Tom Killips Photos

New Immigration Law Effective Mar. 4

A new federal law goes into effect Mar. 4 that will allow illegal immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens, and other eligible "Immediate Relatives," to remain in the U.S. while they are in the process of becoming lawful permanent residents. This rule could be a benefit to members of the Thoroughbred industry with family members who need to adjust their U.S. immigration status. Illegal immigrants are required to leave the U.S. for immigrant visa interviews in their countries of origin in order to gain legal status in the U.S. Under a federal law enacted in 1996, if the individual had resided in the U.S. illegally for six months, they would then be barred from returning to the U.S. for a period of three years; the ban was extended to 10 years if the illegal stay had been a year or more. Individuals could apply for waivers while in their countries of origin, but the waivers were difficult to obtain and often took five months or more to process. After Mar. 4, an eligible individual can apply for a provisional unlawful presence waiver before leaving the U.S. for an immigrant visa interview. Once the waiver is approved, the immigrant visa interview can be scheduled. This will shorten the period of time the individual is required to be abroad to just two-to-three weeks. "This final rule facilitates the legal immigration process and reduces the amount of time that U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives who are in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in a press release last month. In order to be eligible for the provisional unlawful presence waiver, an individual must first file an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (as beneficiary). Once that petition has been granted, the application for the waiver can be submitted. "Immediate Relatives" can also include some minor children and parents of U.S. citizens. Individuals may be ineligible for the waiver due to certain criminal convictions. A qualified immigration attorney should be consulted.
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Sen. Joseph Griffo & Rick Violette Jr.

Sen. Mark Grisanti (center)

Richie Migliore & attorney James Featherstonhaugh