Backside Learning Center’s Derby Social Draws a Crowd

[Wandering Eyes]

It was a packed house at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society on Tuesday, April 18 for the Backside Learning Center's Derby Handicapping Social. The sold-out event drew a crowd of racing owners and enthusiasts looking forward to spending an evening  narrowing down their picks for this year's GI Kentucky Derby while also learning more about the latest initiatives going on at the Backside Learning Center (BLC).

The BLC is a nonprofit organization based in Louisville that provides support and resources for racetrack workers and their families. The organization serves over 1,000 members of the backside community at both Churchill Downs and Trackside Training Center, with programs centered around educational support for adults and youth, as well as health and wellness, human services and more.

Sherry Stanley, the BLC's Executive Director, kicked off the event by discussing the industry's direct impact on the growth of the BLC.

“We're so fortunate to be embraced by so many in this industry,” she said. “We're really focused on building our relationships within the industry and creating awareness-especially within the community of owners, trainers and racing fans. We all benefit from a workforce that is health, educated and feels valued for the important role that they play.”

Stanley also shared some numbers on the organization's various channels of outreach in 2022 including: 105 summer camp experiences, 158 adults enrolled in English classes, 9,857 pounds of food distributed at fresh food markets, 30 families per week served at fresh food markets, and 1,159 walk-up services provided through their human resource program.

Purposes for a Purpose is one of the BLC's major initiatives that Stanley said they aim to create more awareness about moving forward. Through the program, participating owners are able to donate a customizable portion of their horse's winnings and the funds go directly to programing at the BLC.

“It's about connecting you and your horse to the Backside Learning Center, ” said Stanley. “[You are able] to pledge to make a donation of any size. We promote your horses and cheer you on through our social media channels. This support is a direct investment in an industry that is central to the identity, culture and economy of our states.”

Stanley said that in total, 27 horses have enrolled in Purses for a Purpose since it was first launched. They have achieved 30 wins, including six already this year. Their earnings have amounted to $44,1000 that has gone back to the BLC.

After listening to a great discussion of everything going on at the @Backside_LC, attendees of the 2023 Derby Handicapping Social this evening enjoyed a seminar led by @JoeyDaKRacing, @Gabby_Gaudet_, @CBredar and @DonnaBBrothers. pic.twitter.com/h2xF6HOKWu

— TDN (@theTDN) April 19, 2023

Later on during the event, Mike Stanley, one of the newest Purses for a Purpose participants, accepted the 2023 Memorial Award on behalf of his father Fred Snyder, a Louisville-based owner and the former president of the BLC's Board of Directors who passed away last year.

The evening concluded with a Kentucky Derby handicapping seminar hosted by NBC's Donna Brothers. Caton Bredar, Gabby Gaudet and Joe Kristufek analyzed the 3-year-olds pointing for the starting gate on the fast-approaching first Saturday in May.

To learn more about the BLC, click here. To donate, click here.

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