Giving it Back

Rescued horse at Horse Rescue Relief & Retirement in Georgia (Chris Stolt).

No, not at the betting windows, where I usually give it back. A few months ago I decided that whenever I had a daily win over $200 that I would donate a percentage of it to thoroughbred rescue with a donation minimum of $20. I wanted the donations to go to local horses, so if I would win at Belmont or Aqueduct, ideally I would donate to a rescue in Long Island… a win at Saratoga would be a donation upstate, etc. Finally, this Sunday I surpassed a $200 win at Belmont so I donated 5% to New York Horse Rescue.

Being an optimist I already picked out some organizations for tracks I like to play:

Belmont/Aqueduct: New York Horse Rescue

Saratoga: Harmony Hill

Monmouth: Mylestone Equine Rescue & ReRun

Churchill/Keeneland: Kentucky Equine Humane Society

Golden Gate / Bay Meadows: Glen Ellen Farms (GEVA)

My criteria for the organizations is that they must rescue thoroughbreds but don’t have to exclusively rescue thoroughbreds, and ideally they except donations online. One place on my list for Saratoga is Crane Mountain Valley, but they don’t accept online donations… maybe by next year’s meet.

I still need rescue organizations for Santa Anita/Hollywood Park, Pimlico/Laurel, Calder/Gulfstream if anyone has any recommendations. Also, I’ve never actually wagered at Golden Gate or Bay Meadows, but saw an article about GEVA in the spring and donated. I also will give preference to smaller groups who may not have marketing dollars to attract donations, GEVA is one such place.

Hopefully at the end of the month I can make some nice big donations to Mylestone & ReRun!