Charles Town to continue support of CANTER Mid-Atlantic

From a Charles Town release

Five years after commencing its partnership, CANTER Mid-Atlantic will again 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.  The $10,000 donation will be made during a check presentation on Charles Town Classic night – April 19.  Both the 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.

“On average, we have seen four former CANTER Mid-Atlantic horses – either Charles Town Races track listings or ex-racehorses that have gone through our Phase II training program compete in recognized events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, including Rolex in Lexington, KY,” noted CANTER Mid-Atlantic Executive Director, Allie Conrad.  “That would not happen if it wasn’t for the wonderful dedication and support that we have received from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

The funds that Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races donates annually go directly to the care of horses in the CANTER Mid-Atlantic Phase II program that have come from owners and trainers stabled at Charles Town Races.

Having been granted access to the barn area for 15 years 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 a year into successful second careers using its free sales listing service. Charles Town Races alumni – and former CANTER Mid-Atlantic sales listing – Anthony Patch (JC name:  Alex’s Castle Dream, 10 starts with earnings of $815), owned by Lainey Ahker, a 4-star event rider is headed to Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event in April 2014.

“We greatly value our relationship with CANTER Mid-Atlantic and both appreciate and applaud all of the efforts their team puts forth in helping horses prepare for their new careers after they leave the racetrack,” said Charles Town’s Vice President of Racing Operations, Erich Zimny.  “CANTER has put these resources to great use in helping horses in need of new homes and we’re confident that this will continue into the future.”

In addition to Charles Town again providing the grant to CANTER Mid-Atlantic, the organization will again be the presenting sponsor for the most lucrative of the undercard stakes – the $200,000 Sugar Maple.  The Sugar Maple presented by CANTER Mid-Atlantic – won last year by eventual Grade 1 winner and Eclipse Award finalist Dance to Bristol – will serve as a precursor to the evening’s featured event, the $1,500,000 Charles Town Classic (G2).

“We thought having CANTER Mid-Atlantic again serve as the presenting sponsor for a race on the Charles Town Classic card would allow them to share a stage with some of the top horses in training and 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 380 retiring racehorses 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 wellbeing of the horse.  CANTER Mid-Atlantic is currently managing the care of 24 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.