Most recently, the New York Racing Association announced plans to construct a backstretch clinic at its historic Saratoga Race Course. The organization has revealed that just before the start of the 2022 summer meet at the track, it will hold a special groundbreaking ceremony for the first step in the construction clinic on July 13, 2022.
One of the main sources of funds for the new clinic is philanthropist John Hendrickson, who is financing the clinic’s construction as a tribute to his late wife Marylou Whitney. Mr. Hendrickson has promised to donate over US$1.2 million for the creation of the permanent clinic, with approximately US$400,000 of which was raised in a 2020 auction in honour of Ms. Whitney.
Providing Better Healthcare On-Site
According to NYRA, the new hospital would replace a doublewide trailer that is currently used at the track for healthcare services. It will also secure a drastically enhanced experience for those who need to receive primary or emergency healthcare while at the track, which will be provided by doctors and medical professionals via a collaboration with Saratoga Hospital.
As of right now only, a concrete foundation has been laid out for the new clinic, which is also set to feature a large waiting area, as well as four examination rooms, a lab for blood testing and office space. NYRA informed that it will organize a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Wort on the project will then continue in September and should be opened in the spring of 2023.
The development of the new healthcare facility further advances Ms. Whitney and Mr. Hendrickson’s long-term commitment to the backstretch community. Since the passing of Mr. Whitney in 2019, her husband continued to provide support to numerous initiatives to help the community, including backstretch appreciation dinners, E.S.L. classes and bingo nights.
Backstretch Employee Service Team’s Executive Director, Paul Ruchames, commented that the development of the clinic reinforces the organization’s 30-plus-year objective of meeting the health and social welfare needs of backstretch workers at NYRA’s tracks. He believes that the project would allow B.E.S.T. to ensure a continuum of service as well as an opportunity to expand and be an example for other tracks across the country.
2022 Summer Meet
As already mentioned, the 2022 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course will kick of shortly on July 14, 2022, and it will run for 40 days. This year’s edition is set to be the 153rd running of the meet, and it will be highlighted by the Grade 1, US$1.25 million Runhappy Travers, and the Grade 1, US$1 million Whitney. The “Saratoga Live” tv show will also make its return for a seventh time to provide daily coverage of the races.
Recently, NYRA announced that it will be boosting its purses for the 153rd running of the emblematic summer meet. For instance, all open two- and three-other-than allowance races will have an increase of allowances of US$15,000 to US$120,000 and US$125,000 respectively. Also, the organization enhances the US$50,000 starter allowances will be improved by US$8,000.
Source: “NYRA Cares Announces New Saratoga Backstretch Clinic”, BloodHorse, July 8, 2022
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