THE RETURN OF JUNE SOCCER MADNESS!
Dear Friends,

We have all been delighted in recent weeks to be able to return to activities and people that bring us joy.

Thanks to our sponsor the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, we have been able to bring back soccer to the backstretch. On a gorgeous June evening, Team Peru took on the David Donk Fútbol Club in the Championship game of the Belmont meet, with Team Peru emerging victorious by a score of 1-0.

Thank you to everyone who showed up to support, including David Donk, Letty and Kiaran McLaughlin, and Jose Ortiz who is so devoted to the soccer tournament that he even helped to clear the field and cut the grass. For more pictures including the medal presentations, check out our Facebook Page.

The backstretch community is looking forward to our July 3rd outing to see the Mets take on the Yankees, thanks to our partners at Kids In Seats, and to a trip to Splish Splash, thanks again to NYTHA.

Onto Saratoga, where we will be honoring Jose's brother Irad at Champions Talk 2021 on July 19th at 3 PM at Fasig-Tipton.

Champions Talk 2021 is a roundtable discussion featuring Champion Jockeys with the incomparable Tom Durkin as the moderator, followed by a cocktail reception in the outside ring. We depend upon this fundraiser to keep our programs running and we hope you are able to join us!

Do you have your ticket yet? Click HERE to purchase your ticket, sponsor the event, or make a donation. We hope to see you there!

With thanksgiving for your partnership and support,
Chaplain Humberto Chavez
NY CHAPLAINCY RACE
Photo Credit: Adam Coglianese
On Friday, June 4th, thanks to our partners at the New York Racing Association, we were blessed with the opportunity to honor the groom and the hotwalker of the winning horse in the winner's circle at Belmont Park.

Above, NYRTCA Board Chairman Terry Finley presents the winning hotwalker, Agripina Lara, with her trophy and Board President Ramón Dominguez and winning jockey Junior Alvarado make the presentation to the winning groom Gustavo Solorio while Chaplain Humberto, the Chaplaincy staff, our friends from Rainbow's End Racing, and winning trainer Bill Mott look on.

Thank you to the always generous Len Green and the Green Group for sponsoring the race.
For the origin of this cherished tradition, please listen to the video above, produced courtesy of Patty Wolfe Media Group. Thank you to Bill Mott for his ongoing support.
FATHER'S DAY
Father's Day was a special day in Saratoga and at Belmont Park thanks to our volunteers, donors, Bob Monahan and the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, and NYTHA. Thank you to St. Gregorio's Orthodox Church of India, Queens, for donating 100 new bath towels which were given to our men of the backstretch in a package containing toiletries and treats. Ice cream from Mr. Softee was enthusiastically received and pizza was served.
CHAMPIONS TALK 2021 July 9th 3 PM FASIG - TIPTON
If you are wondering how you can obtain this awesome autographed custom bobblehead of Irad Ortiz sporting the silks of St. Elias Stable. the answer is this: Every attendee of Champions Talk 2021 will receive one as a special gift!
Want to learn more about the event? Listen to "The Mig", aka retired champion jockey and current racing analyst Rich Migliore talk about how much he is looking forward to participating in the event. JOIN US July 19th, 3 PM at Fasig-Tipton in Saratoga Springs. We miss you and we want to see you all in person! Click below for your tickets.Please note that tickets will not be sold at the door.
Hey there, I'm Upset, and my owners Marianne Barker and Maddy Zanetti of Impressions of Saratoga will be bringing me to Champions Talk so you can take your picture with me, so don't forget to bring carrots!!
FOOD PANTRY
We are very grateful to each of you who has so generously donated to our food pantry and to our partners Quaker Valley Foods, the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, the partners of Rainbow's End Racing who regularly supply soup and smiles, Our Lady of Victory Church, and St. Andrew's Lutheran Church.

The need continues and our supply from our local food banks has diminished significantly. We are actively searching for local grocery stores who are willing to donate their unused food and for volunteers who can pick up and deliver the food on Thursdays to our pantry.

If you know of a store willing to work with us and/or are able to pick up or deliver food on Thursday mornings, please call the office 516-216-5196 or email karen@rtcany.org . Thank you!
SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Thank you to everyone who responded to our call for support for our Summer Enrichment Program, including Cheryl Manning, the PJ Callahan Foundation, Gary and Claire Schuller, West Point Thoroughbreds and our partners The Hawley Foundation, NYTHA, the Jennifer Crimi Sunshine Fund, and Stewart's Shops.

The families of the backstretch are very grateful for our programs at Belmont Park and in Saratoga and we thank you for making it possible!
SARATOGA CAMPGROUND CLEAN-UP
Thank you to Kim Weir and her team of volunteers for taking on the project of cleaning up the grounds and cabins where many of the families of the backstretch reside during the Saratoga meet.

This is a significant, ongoing project requiring much dedication and love and we are very grateful as are the families.

Thank you so much to those who recently participated in the cleanup of the grounds, including Chelsea O’Reilly , Dan Leerkes, Daryl & Ron Thompson, Teri Desorbo Lasher, Dave Nichols, The Buck Family - Jason, Nicole, Ryan and Maddy , The Dominguez Family - Ramon, Sharon, Matthew & Alex, Pastor Mark, and Kim!
NY Race Track Chaplaincy