Winners Foundation running low on funds

DEL MAR, Calif. – The Winners Foundation, which provides substance-abuse counseling for California racetrack and backstretch employees, is running low on funding, the California Horse Racing Board was told on Friday.

The organization, founded in 1984, might face staff cuts as early as August, according to executive director Bob Fletcher. The Winners Foundation has an annual budget of $360,000 but has drawn on reserves in recent years to make up for a lack of funding, Fletcher said.

The Winners Foundation derives its budget from a portion of account-wagering handle and donations from racetracks and private parties.

Racing board members said they would seek ways to increase funding, such as legislation that would allow financial penalties paid by racing licensees to be dedicated to such an organization. Currently, when a fine is issued by stewards, the monies go into the state’s general fund.

Fletcher said the Winners Foundation’s reserve fund is approximately $200,000. He said staff members have taken smaller salaries and incurred higher health care costs to save money.

“We’re on the verge of some serious times,” Fletcher said. “We may not be able to offer what we’ve done for the industry for the last 30 years. “We won’t meet our budget. We’ll be $50,000 short. We’ve been using our reserves for the last number of years. It will carry us through this year and possibly next year.”

In addition to substance-abuse issues, the Winners Foundation aids in counseling for alcoholism and lifestyle issues, including gambling problems, Fletcher said.

The Winners Foundation’s most high-profile cases have been working with jockeys who faced substance-abuse problems. Those riders worked with the Winners Foundation on counseling programs that enabled them to continue their careers.