John and Leona Velazquez were publicly recognized for their longstanding commitment to the backstretch community at Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct on Wednesday when they received the Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson Award from the New York Race Track Chaplaincy at the 18th annual fundraising brunch at the Saratoga National Golf Club, the non-profit said in a press release on Wednesday afternoon.
On hand to assist with the award presentation was Marylou's Whitney's daughter, Heather Mabee. The brunch set a new record for fundraising.
“Anyone who has spent much time around the racetrack knows that the people who care for the horses are really the unsung heroes of our sport,” Velazquez said. “Leona and I are proud to support the various backstretch programs organized by the New York Race Track Chaplaincy and we are extremely honored and grateful to be recognized in this way.”
As is the custom, the pair were presented with a framed racing scene created by equine artist Tom Chapman from the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. The Hall of Fame rider and his wife have been active in various backstretch organizations for decades.
Previous honorees have included Len Green, Tracy and Todd Pletcher, Andy Serling, Irad Ortiz Jr., Anne Campbell, Edgar Prado, Michael Dubb, Fay and David Donk, Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, Letty and Kiaran McLaughlin, Lisa and Kenny Troutt, Debbie and Terry Finley and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
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