Health care cut restored for race track workers

Donations from NYRA and board member Michael Dubb allow clinic to open in May

A cash infusion from New York Racing Association and a board member restores a cut made in health care to track workers.

A looming health care rollback for hundreds of backstretch workers at Saratoga Race Track has been staved off thanks to a last-minute cash from the New York Racing Association and one of its officers.

After “significant donations” from NYRA and board member Michael Dubb, a Long Island homebuilder, a free clinic for track workers will operate from when workers arrive in mid-may until they leave in mid-november, according to a statement from the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST), the clinic operator.

Last week, clinic organizers said a $200,000 cut in NYRA funding for the clinic this season would mean it could open only during the 6 1/2 week meet from July 20 to Sept. 3. Advocates for the track workers, which include grooms, hot walkers, and stable workers, said the scaled-back clinic would deprive those workers of basic health care.

Started in 2008, the clinic is also funded through the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the group of owners and trainers who employ the workers.

“We thank them for their generosity at this critical moment, and for all our supporters who help us meet the needs of the backstretch workers at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga,” according to a statement from BEST Executive Director Paul Ruchames.

He declined to say how much additional cash was provided by NYRA and Dubb.

NYRA spokesman Patrick Mckenna also declined to provide figures. “We are pleased to make this significant donation to benefit the backstretch community at Saratoga Race Course,” Mckenna said.

Last week, NYRA President and CEO Chris Kay said the association has been cutting its funding for the BEST clinic in recent years, from more than $1 million annually to $800,000 in 2017 and a proposed $600,000 in 2018.

Dubb has been on the NYRA board since 2008. He is founder and CEO of the Beechwood Group, Long Island’s largest homebuilder.

In addition to check-ups and medications, the clinic also provides backstretch workers with mental health services, as well as appointments with an optometrist, a dentist and a chiropractor. At the height of the meet, the clinic serves about 2,000 backstretch workers.

During the meet, the clinic is up and running five to six days a week and has doctors on call for emergencies. Until this year, during the pre-meet season — which begins in April when the Oklahoma training track opens — the clinic would at first open one day a week and gradually increase its days of operation as the weeks go on.

Health care advocates had criticized the proposed cuts, saying that the clinic was important because many of the backstretch workers are immigrants, who might not feel comfortable seeking health care services outside of the track.