Rockville, MD (February 27, 2013) - After starting a successful partnership in 2009, CANTER Mid-Atlantic continues to receive grant funding from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races enabling its ongoing program and mission to rehabilitate and find homes for former race horses. These additional funds and renewed commitment by Charles Town will enable CANTER Mid-Atlantic to grow from a free race horse sales listing service and race horse rehab provider to an emergency care provider for at-risk race horses it would otherwise have been forced to turn away.
“In 2012, CANTER Mid-Atlantic transitioned over 300 ex-racehorses into second careers through the free sales listing service we provide for trainers and owners who stable and race horses at Charles Town Races.” said CANTER Mid-Atlantic Executive Director, Allie Conrad. “And the annual donation that we receive from Charles Town Races funds the rehabilitation and rehoming of dozens of ex-racehorses that are donated directly to CANTER Mid-Atlantic from the racetrack. Without those funds, and the dedication and support that Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has shown us over the years, we would not be able to provide this important outlet for ex-racehorses that are ready to move on to second careers.”
Having been granted access to the barn area for more than a decade by Charles Town management, CANTER Mid-Atlantic’s volunteers have built strong relationships with not only track management, but also horse racing professionals on the backstretch. Those relationships have made it possible for CANTER Mid-Atlantic to assist trainers and owners in transitioning over 300 race horses into successful second careers using its free listing service.
“We’re proud of our ongoing partnership with CANTER Mid-Atlantic and to support the very worthy efforts of their team,” said Charles Town’s Vice President of Racing Operations, Erich Zimny. “Much as they’ve done over the last several years, we’re confident CANTER will put these resources to good use in placing and taking in horses in need new homes.”
In addition to Charles Town again presenting a $10,000 donation to CANTER Mid-Atlantic during the Charles Town Classic card on April 20, 2013, CANTER Mid-Atlantic will be the presenting sponsor for the richest of the undercard stakes - the $200,000 Sugar Maple. The Sugar Maple presented by CANTER Mid-Atlantic, a race won last year by Grade 2 winner and Grade 1 placed Magical Feeling, will serve as a precursor to the evening’s featured event, the $1,500,000 Charles Town Classic.
“We thought CANTER Mid-Atlantic serving as a presenting sponsor for a race on the Charles Town Classic card was an appropriate way to call further attention to all the great work they do in transitioning former race horses into a second career,” Zimny added.
Over the last several years, CANTER Mid-Atlantic has taken in over 200 retiring race horses as funding allowed and successfully rehabilitated, retrained and placed them into caring homes. Horses in CANTER Mid Atlantic’s care are boarded on farms deemed appropriate for the health and well-being of the horse. CANTER Mid-Atlantic is currently managing the care of 38 ex-racehorses that have begun the rehabilitation and retraining process in order to prepare them for a second career. Financial support provided by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races will continue to strengthen these efforts.
CANTER Mid-Atlantic volunteers regularly visit Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia, Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore, MD, Bowie Training Center in Bowie, MD and Laurel Race Course in Laurel, MD, to meet with trainers and owners of horses that are ready to retire from racing but are capable of beginning a second career.
