The Backside Learning Center hosted its annual Benefit for the Backside: A Day at the Races at Churchill Downs Nov. 22, an event extra special this year as the organization celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The traditional Friday before Thanksgiving event plays an important role for the independent nonprofit organization that provides support and resources in a safe, welcoming environment for the diverse community of racetrack workers and their families. According to the BLC's executive director Sherry Stanley, the benefit raises about 10% of their annual budget.
"Our work would not be possible without this event," Stanley said. "It's a great opportunity to celebrate all the great work and to talk about what's coming in the future. It means so much to us that so many people show up, celebrate us, and believe in our mission."
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About 400 guests gathered inside of Churchill Downs' exclusive First Turn Club, making donations to the program in the form of raffles, live and silent auctions, and much more. These funds will help support the BLC's payroll, benefits, rental space, program materials, transportation, and more.
The biggest donation of the day came on behalf of Brook Smith, co-owner of Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone, who presented a $100,000 check thanks to the Purses For a Purpose program.
"This is as exciting as being in the winner's circle, to be able to have a program where his purses can go help the people that make it possible. I think about it more than the race," Smith said of contributing to the BLC. "There's nothing more magical than the backside and the backside community is what makes it happen."
Smith helped create the program in which owners can donate a portion of their horses' earnings to the organization. A vocal supporter of the BLC, signing Sierra Leone up for the program was a no-brainer for Smith.
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Smith co-owns the Gun Runner colt with Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg. In addition to winning the $7 million Classic, Sierra Leone also captured the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Risen Star Stakes (G2) this season along with top-level placings in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1).
A leading candidate for Eclipse champion 3-year-old male, Sierra Leone has already notched his first award as the Purses For a Purpose Horse of the Year, which Smith was presented at the benefit.
"It's like you're the shepherd, not the root of the gift," Smith said. "The horse was the one that did it all."
"(Smith) is one of our top supporters, a huge advocate of ours," Stanley said. "He's done so much for us so we were excited to see Brook have this opportunity with such a successful horse.
"He used Sierra Leone as a platform to advocate for the learning center, create awareness for the learning center. That was amazing."
Also honored Friday was Edin Hernandez, recipient of the Dedication to Learning Award. A groom for this year's Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek, Hernandez has been an active English language learner who won most participative in his class. Learning about the BLC two years ago through his uncle and morning announcements, he has helped recruit coworkers and friends and has taken full advantage of the group "Mind Matters," a University of Louisville-supported program focused on mental well-being and coping skills for stress.
The Herrarte-Nova family was honored with the Family Achievement Award. Exercise rider Faustino and hot-walker Janet both work in the barn of trainer Dale Romans. The couple were concerned about their daughter Daylin and wanted to learn more about speech and occupational therapy. Daylin was one of the first to be tested by a new partnership between the BLC and a local pediatric wellness center and has improved her social, emotional, and communication skills by "100%." The family now fully takes advantage of the BLC's early childhood programs and Faustino became the first dad to attend the programs. The BLC credits him with creating a good mixture of moms and dads in attendance of the formerly mom-centric classes.
Hernandez and the Herrarte-Nova family are just two of the many workers who benefit from the BLC. In its 20 years, the BLC's influence has grown to support more than 1,000 people between the Churchill Downs backstretch and its nearby training center.
"If you look at where the Backside Learning Center was and the budget that it had compared to today, it's been transformative because of Purses For a Purpose and other initiatives," Smith said. "Dreams are now becoming reality."
