The 43 chaplains who attended this year's school topped the 39 who attended in 2003.
Don Dean, a Washington, D.C.-based corporate Congressional representative and Maryland Thoroughbred owner and breeder, was re-elected president of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America during the organization's National Chaplain's School and Convention Jan. 7-12 in St. Petersburg, Fla.A record 43 RTCA chaplains attended the convention, which was highlighted by a talk by former jockey Remi Gunn, who is a paraplegic as a result of injuries suffered in a fall at Ellis Park in 2003. National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association president John Roark was the featured speaker at the closing banquet.Trainer Elliott Walden was elected vice president and will serve his first term as an officer. Lone Star Park chaplain Sam Ed Spence was elected secretary, and Phyllis Bunch, an owner and breeder from Oklahoma, remained as treasurer. Among the newly elected regional directors are Florida horsewoman Amy Peltz, and Allyn Mann, the equine manager for Bayer Animal Health.
