The Maryland Backstretch Community Has Its Benefits
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The Horsemen’s Newsletter April 2019 Vol. 29 • Number 4 The Maryland Backstretch Community Has Its Benefits The Maryland racing community takes great and board, if they choose, and have access to • Free van service for transportation to pride in its backstretch workforce and, in turn, other dormitories for a small monthly fee. appointments or for shopping the MTHA provides meaningful benefits for Construction of a three-story barn that will • Free full-time counseling services those who care for our equine athletes every include modern dorms has been approved by • Access to funds to pay for continuing day. the Maryland Jockey Club and should begin education programs The racing industry considers it a civic re- construction soon. • Free English as a second language sponsibility to care for those who make sacri- Other services and benefits available to classes fices to ensure the well-being of the many race- backstretch workers are as follows: • Free bereavement services horses that compete at tracks in Maryland. They • Free access to health care through the • Social Service assistance provide a sometimes-underappreciated skill Horsemen’s Health System, with physi- • Various free business services includ- that requires a true bond with and understand- cians provided by MedStar Health ing financial planning, immigration as- ing of the horse. • Free transportation for those who need sistance and tax filing. The MTHA last year began offering courses specialized treatment off site The MTHA, as part of its commitment to for newcomers with an interest in becoming • A $750,000 a year pension plan fully those who work with horses, has staff offices grooms as well as classes to help employed funded by the industry on both the backstretch and in the grandstand grooms hone their skills. The role backstretch • A full recreation program that includes office areas at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race workers play in the daily care of horses and organized sporting events and field Course. The staff willingly makes itself avail- their dedication under difficult circumstances is trips around the region able to backstretch employees, particularly in critical to the Maryland racing program. • A recreation room that provides games, the case of emergencies outside of regular of- Backstretch workers are offered free room television and free computer access fice hours. Maryland Mainstay William Wolfendale Dies At Age 74 Trainer William Wolfendale III, who won almost here for probably 15 years. But the biggest thing about 1,700 races, most of them in Maryland, died March Billy was that he took care of everybody around him. 18. He was 74. When he came to town he brought folks with him Wolfendale, who was in poor health in recent from Waterford. He brought his mom, he brought years but continued to be a regular at Laurel Park, was his brothers and sisters, he brought grooms and hot in the Thoroughbred business for more than 50 years, walkers, and he always made sure that everybody was having started as an owner and trainer at Mountain- taken care of. Nobody went hungry, and nobody went eer, then called Waterford Park, in West Virginia when thirsty.” he was 20. As a trainer, his runners earned more than $6.8 million in purses. Wolfendale, a native of western Pennsylvania, “re- “He was a guy that came (to Maryland) and had tired” from training at the end of 1994 and worked as a very successful career,” said trainer Ferris Allen, a a jockey agent, and then Allen hired him as a groom longtime friend of Wolfendale. “He was a force around Continues on Page 3 Bowie City Council Hears We’ve Got Training Center Plan Your Ticket The Bowie City Council March 18 indicated training opportunities, and that he recommend- The MTHA has access to season tick- it is receptive to plans by the Maryland Jockey ed the existing barns, which at one time housed ets to the Baltimore Orioles, Major League Club to rebuild and reopen the dormant train- about 1,000 horses, be leveled and rebuilt. He soccer’s DC United and Arena football’s ing center on the old Bowie Race Course prop- also said he’d like to preserve and renovate the Baltimore Brigade that are regularly dis- erty. “Hacienda,” a covered circular, narrow training tributed free of charge by a raffle to horse- It was the first for- track that was regularly men working on the backstretch at Laurel mal presentation by the used in the winter. Park and Pimlico MJC before local officials The training center about the facility, which If you are interested in attending any also would have ameni- of these events, contact Dan Mangum at closed in April 2015. The ties such as whirlpools $40 million project is tied 410-802-5798 to enter into a drawing to- and a medical facility day. to another $80 million in along with modern dor- planned renovations and mitories. reconstruction at Laurel State lawmakers as of Park, located about 15 miles from the training late March were considering a bill that would center. expand the Racetrack Facility Renewal Account MJC President Sal Sinatra said the plans, which aren’t final, call for use of the entire to not only include Bowie but to allow the property—the racetrack is on one side of Race Maryland Economic Development Corp. to float Track Road and most of the barn area is on bonds that would expedite the projects. the other side. They are connected by covered RFRA, which allows tracks to make capital bridge horse path that would be refurbished improvements if they match the amount with- and utilized. drawn, is funded by 1% of video lottery termi- Sinatra said the one-mile dirt course would nal revenue at five of Maryland’s six casinos. be restored and a seven-furlong Tapeta surface The 80% annual Thoroughbred share is about installed inside the main track to maximize $8 million. Rec Report Spring Trips The MTHA is in the process of planning a day trip to Sandy Point State Park and vari- ous fishing trips throughout the spring and MTHA 2019 summer. Backstretch Sign Up Trips will be limited to 10 backstretch workers. Look for details and signup sheets Pension Schedule in the kitchen. Softball Pickup softball games will start after Preakness as in the past. Stay tuned for fur- ther details. Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s April 22 through April 26 Backstretch Pension Plan Registration Laurel Track Kitchen, The Horsemen’s for the year ended 2018 will take place 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Newsletter at the following times and locations. April 29 through May 3 Laurel Track Kitchen, Published by the Please bring your MRC Badge and 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. W-2, 1099, or tax return for 2018. MTHA May 6 through May 10 500 Redland Court – Suite 105, For more information call the Pimlico MTHA Office, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117; MTHA office at (410) 902-6842. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (410) 902-6842; Fax: (410) 902-6841; Failure to register during these times will E-mail: [email protected] result in the loss of your 2018 benefit. Website: www.mdhorsemen.com Beloved Horsemen Steve Pettit Remembered At Memorial Service Steve Pettit, a van driver and former trainer Ron Singh, who provides ministry services and groom known for his love of horses and at Pimlico Race Course, said Pettit’s personality MJC is raffling off a TORO mower as willingness to assist members of the backstretch was infectious. part of a fundraiser that will benefit the community, was remembered “Most if not all of us have Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. during a March 19 memorial had the pleasure of interact- Tickets, at $10 each or three for $25, service at Laurel Park. ing with him over the past are available at the guest services window Pettit, who died March 6, 40 years,” Singh said. “As or racing office at Laurel Park. The drawing was among the first to offer you know, on the racetrack a will be held May 17, Black-Eyed Susan Stakes his services to the Beyond The warm smile isn’t always forth- Day, at Pimlico Race Course. You need not Wire aftercare program, which coming, but Steve was differ- be present to win. launched in May 2017. ent. Our brother wasn’t afraid The mower is on display in the grand- “He was a friend of mine, to take on the challenges of stand lobby at Laurel. a friend of yours, and a friend life. Let us learn from our of the industry,” said Jessica brother Steve.” Hammond, who administers Pettit’s wife, Judy, who Wolfendale, From Page 1 aftercare services. “He really was on hand for the service and van driver and also boarded his horses cared about the horses and hosted by the MTHA, ex- at Wolfendale’s farm near Laurel. He re- he cared about the people. He pressed her appreciation. turned to training in 1999 and continued on was a just a good, fun person “Thank you so much,” she a limited basis with breaks in 2009, 2010 who will be sorely missed by our community.” told the gathering. “This really means a lot.” and 2012. Wolfendale’s 24-year-old son, Scott, has run the barn in recent years. A Letter To Horsemen From Chris Merz: “He wouldn’t say much or wouldn’t On behalf of the racing office I would like to extend my thanks to all of you in putting on a do much to promote himself,” Allen said. fantastic winter.