For the fifth consecutive year, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is providing funding to CANTER Mid-Atlantic for the organization's ongoing program and mission to rehabilitate and find homes for former racehorses.
The $10,000 donation will be made during a presentation April 19 when the West Virginia track hosts Charles Town Classic night.
The additional funds and renewed commitment by Charles Town will enable CANTER Mid-Atlantic to grow from a free racehorse sales listing service and racehorse rehabilitation provider to an emergency care provider for at-risk race horses it would otherwise have been forced to turn away, officials said
"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," CANTER Mid-Atlantic executive director Allie Conrad said. "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 donate 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 more than a decade by Charles Town management, CANTER Mid-Atlantic's volunteers have built strong relationships with track management and racing professionals on the backstretch, the organization said. According to Charles Town, those relationships have made it possible for CANTER Mid-Atlantic to assist trainers and owners in transitioning over 300 racehorses a year into successful second careers using its free sales listing service, the track said in a release.
"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, CANTER Mid-Atlantic will also be the presenting sponsor for Charles Town's $200,000 Sugar Maple Stakes prior to the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) on April 19.
"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.
