NY Racetrack Agrees Educational Opportunities Partnership

NY Race Track Chaplaincy announced that it has agreed to a deal with SUNY Empire State College, that will provide educational access to the track’s workers. Now, staff members from the track, including backstretch workers, jockeys, and trainers, along with their family members will be able to take part in the college’s corporate and community partner benefits program

NY Race Track Chaplaincy is located in Elmont, NY, and it operates to stable staff and their families at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course. The property offers children’s improvement activities, social services, recreational services, and many educational programs. The track provides its amenities to over 3,500 residents from all around the state.

Educational Opportunities

Through the agreed partnership the SUNY Empire State College will provide candidates with a US$50 orientation fee waive and a one-off US$100 Better Together Scholarship. Along with that, the collaboration will also allow the college and the track to open opportunities such as identifying areas of training received as members or workers of the track and then be assessed for a college-level loan.

Nathan Gonyea, who is Officer in Charge at the SUNY Empire State College shared that the institution’s aim is to provide access to affordable, high-quality education to residents of the state. The official explained that when the track approached the college immediately recognized their similar intentions and goals. Now members of the track will be able to gain access to educational opportunities via the partnership.

Tina Evans ’97, SUNY Empire Foundation Board member, says that the college’s model of operations is perfectly suited to the track and the people that they serve. As a graduate of the institution, she is optimistic about the cooperation between the college and the track. Ramón Dominguez, president of the board of the NY Race Track Chaplaincy and Hall of Fame jockey said that the programs offered by the college are a perfect fit for the members of the backstretch community.

Kylie Byrne, director of corporate and community partnerships at the school, stated that the partnership with the track demonstrates the importance of providing affordable education for locals. She claims that both organizations have a powerful desire to strengthen local communities by empowering residents. And now she is excited to see the partnership in action.

Latest News

Previous, set of news coming from the New York State’s horse racing industry is that horse racing Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has been found guilty of underpaying racetrack workers. Now Mr. Asmussen will have to pay over US$563,800 in back wages and liquidate damages to over 170 staff members for staff members of Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course and pay US$46.200 in civil money penalties to Labor Department.

On a slightly different tone, this summer live harness racing fans had the opportunity to enjoy the 153rd edition of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. Despite the unfavorable weather conditions, the 2021 summer meet was quite fruitful for the track with tons of world-class horse racing all summer. The meet managed to record a record-breaking all-source handle and generated over US$1 million in attendance for the sixth year in a row.

Source: “NY Race Track Chaplaincy Signs Agreement Providing Educational Access To Backstretch Workers”, Paulick Report, September 28, 2021