When Breeders' Cup Classic favorite Uncle Mo enters the #12 post in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on Saturday, he will carry not only the hopes of the racing public, but also the potential to bring needed funds to support New Vocations Thoroughbred Racehorse Retirement Program. Both Uncle Mo's trainer, Todd Pletcher, and his owner, Mike Repole, have pledged to contribute a portion of their Breeders' Cup earnings to the nonprofit charity, which trains off-the-track thoroughbreds for new careers.
Uncle Mo isn't the only horse with the potential to generate monies for New Vocations. The Repole/Pletcher team will also be represented by Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful and Travers winner Stay Thirsty and Juvenile Fillies' Turf entrant Stopshoppingmaria (whimsically named after Repole's wife).
"It is our responsibility as owners to make sure these horses find good homes after their racing careers are over," said Repole, whose affection for his runners is legendary. "New Vocations does a great job at making sure our equine friends have a great life beyond the track and we are happy to support them at this year's World Championships."
This is the third consecutive year that New Vocations has enlisted pledges from Breeders' Cup connections, each of whom promises to donate a percentage of their earnings from the prestigious world championship races, where more than $25 million in purses is at stake.
Unlike many other thoroughbred retirement facilities, New Vocations' focus is to rehab and re-train former racehorses for other athletic pursuits, rahter than simply putting them out to pasture. In Todd Pletcher's opinion, "What makes New Vocations stand out from the rest of thoroughbred retirement organizations is their commitment to retraining and adopting out these equine athletes, many of whom go on to enjoy successful careers in various disciplines of horse sports."
Pletcher isn't New Vocations' only admirer from the ranks of the top trainers who are flocking to Louisville this week. Others include Kiaran McLaughlin, who will send out contenders Trappe Shot in the $1 million Dirt Mile, Miss Netta in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies, Alpha in the $2 million Juvenile, It's Tricky in the $2 million Ladies' Classic, and longshot Rattlesnake Bridge in the $5 million Classic.
New York trainer Nick Zito, long a supporter of thoroughbred retirement causes, will contribute a share of his earnings from top springer Jackson Bend's performance in the Sprint and Florida Derby winner Ice Box's efforts in the Classic, in which the morning line gives him a 30-1 chance of victory.
With six facilities in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, New Vocations serves more than 40 racetracks--both thoroughbred and standardbred--working directly with owners and trainers whose horses need an aftercare program when their racing days are over. According to Program Director Anna Ford, the organization is on track to adopt 400 horses this year, its best yet.
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