BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Monday, January 18,
2016—Yonkers Raceway and the Standardbred Owners Association of New York have
announced a joint contribution to assist those affected by the Classy Lane barn
fire.
The initial donation is $10,000—equally
shared by the track and its horsemen—with an initiative underway to increase
that amount.
“As with the rest of the harness industry,
we were stunned and saddened by what happened,” Raceway COO Bob Galterio said.
“We have enjoyed a strong simulcast relationship with Ontario tracks for many
years, and we’re thinking of those horsemen and their loss at this very
difficult time.”
“It’s the worst thing that can happen to
anyone in this business, so we’re just trying to assist in any way we can,” SOA
of New York president Joe Faraldo said.
In addition to the “first donation,”
Yonkers’ owners, trainers and drivers have been encouraged to set aside a
portion of their purse earnings to be earmarked to the Central Ontario
Standardbred Association. The SOA has specifically requested that half the
money raised go toward caretaker assistance and for those trainers who had
three or fewer horses. Distribution of the balance is at the sole discretion of
COSA for those based upon financial need.
“We’ve had any number of our members ask
how they can help,” Faraldo said.
