New York horsemen contribute to Calif. fire relief efforts
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York racing community is pitching in with relief efforts following the fire that impacted the Southern California racing community at San Luis Rey Downs this week.
The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association donated $10,000 on behalf of the victims of the fire and has pledged to contribute additional funds, according to a release put out by the organization on Saturday.
“It is truly amazing how the racing community comes together in times of tragedy,” said trainer Rick Violette, the retiring president of the NYTHA. “The scenes and stories from San Luis Rey Downs have been heart-wrenching, and we want the horsemen in California to know that we are here to help in any way we can.”
Joseph Applebaum was recently elected president of the NYTHA and will preside over his first meeting on Tuesday. In a release, he said the situation in California “will be at the top of the agenda” for that meeting.
“We know there is great demand for funding right now, but that there will also be horsemen and horses in need of assistance for months to come,” Applebaum said.
The New York Racing Association made a $7,500 donation toward the victims of the San Luis Rey fire, which claimed the lives of more than 40 horses and displaced dozens of backstretch workers and caretakers.
Jockey Rajiv Maragh announced on Twitter that he would donate 5 percent of his purse earnings from Saturday through Dec. 17 to the cause. Maragh promptly went out and won Saturday’s second race at Aqueduct, a $35,000 claiming race that carried a $42,000 purse.