FHBPA and Gulfstream Host Holiday Lunch for Backstretch Workers

The Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and Gulfstream Park hosted their annual Christmas lunch Monday and Tuesday, serving more than 500 backstretch workers at Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows. Workers also received tickets for bike raffles.

The FHBPA and Gulfstream Park worked alongside Pastor Tom Lapointe of His Place Ministries and the director of chaplaincy programs at Gulfstream Park for the annual event.

“It went great,” said Herb Oster, Director of Special Projects for the HBPA. “Obviously, things were a little different this year. We usually have Santa come by and we usually have it at the [north grandstand and apron] on Gulfstream's front side, but it was a good event. No one congregated and everyone practiced social distancing. We need to take care of our people. In my opinion, these people are the hardest working in the industry.”