Role of the NTRA – Part II – Charitable Support

re: Role of the NTRA – Part II – Charitable Support

Priscilla Clark — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:33:33 GMT

I have some suggestions to lend credibility to NTRA Charities. First, take a stand on horse slaughter and make a public statement that the slaughter of racing's equine athletes is totally unacceptable.

Second,immediately create a funding program for the non-profit organizations around this country that are struggling to provide humane retirement for Thoroughbreds. Charity begins at home.

re: Role of the NTRA – Part II – Charitable Support

Barbara L. — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:32:40 GMT

While I appreciate NTRA Charities and the varied causes it supports, I was wondering if there were plans to donate funding to of racetrack retirement programs for Thoroughbreds?

As you know, part of the success in attracting new fans to the sport is for the sport to show the fans that we respect and care for our equine athletes after their racing careers are over.

Racetrack-based programs like Turning For Home, sponsored by the horsemen's group at Philadelphia Park, is one such program that indeed proves that racing does take care of its own. With 360 horses taken into our program in less than 2 years, we feel any racetrack that takes the initiative to create such a program should be eligible for NTRA recognition, hopefully in the form of support through some funding.

Will there be grant money, in addition to TCA funds, that will help approved, non-profit programs that are racetrack-based?

re: Role of the NTRA – Part II – Charitable Support

Rachel — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:25:35 GMT

I think NTRA should concentrate first on racing's workers & families, making sure they have dental care, pre-school, before and after-school care, short and long term disability, just like those of us on this side of the track...

re: Role of the NTRA – Part II – Charitable Support

Michael — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:47:35 GMT

Alex

Thank you for your leadership at NTRA. The sport/industry needs it. I can speak specifically about the Alliance of which I am member of the Advisory Board. The codes applied in accrediting tracks are discussed thoroughly with input from all seqments of the industry including players/fans.

Soon the accreditation process will allow for local fan input into the accreditation process, both on-site and online.

Also, the wagering integrity initiative by the Alliance is designed to protect the player/fan and the overall integrity of our sport. With support from NTRA, players/fans will feel more confident when we play accredited tracks.

Contrary to some comments, NTRA is sensitive to input from players/fans and "walks the talk" by including player/fans and other industry stakeholders in decision-making processes. Thank you.

re: Role of the NTRA – Part II – Charitable Support

Sally in Indy — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:55:39 GMT

As a Fan of Barbaro (FOB) who has worn the NTRA Charities' blue "Riding with Barbaro" wristband every single day since the 2007 Triple Crown season, I would like to commend the NTRA and its charity division for the many and varied initiatives undertaken in behalf of its equine and human athletes.

The value of demonstrating beyond doubt, both in word and deed, how highly regarded this sports' participants are cannot be overestimated. (And by participants I refer to both two- and four-legged.)

A key area I would like to see addressed by the NTRA is racing's television coverage. Enacting a comprehensive TV package with a network - major or cable - would go far in attracting new fans to this marvelous sport, maintaining the current fan base, and, ultimately, benefitting NTRA Charities. Racing desperately needs - no, deserves - a permanent TV home.

Thank you again for all of the initiatives through NTRA Charities - and thank you for asking us, racing's fans, for our input.