Katie Merwick of Second Chance Ranch called me with exciting news this morning. At Friday's awards dinner, Emerald Downs Racetrack announced a new fund to help retiring racehorses.

Racehorse owners have the option to allocate $1 or more per race towards the Prodigious Fund. Emerald Downs will match their contribution. With a reasonable rate of owner participation, that could mean over $100 a day going to the fund.

The Fund got off to a good start even before the gates open April 18th at Emerald Downs.

Ron Crockett, President of Emerald Downs, pledged a $5,000 personal contribution. Other owners committed to give $10 or even $100 dollars per start.

In 2008, The Fund will be dispersed to the accredited Thoroughbred rescues Second Chance Ranch and Chez Chevaux, who have been working for years with owners and trainers at the racetrack to transition, retrain and place retiring horses in appropriate homes. According to the official Emerald Downs press release, other registered 501C-3 charities with proven track records of at least a year which are thoroughbred-exclusive or dominant in their efforts will also be eligible.

The fund is a way to acknowledge the fact that the horses who run for our pleasure, entertainment and sport often face their greatest challenges off the track. It give the many caring owners a way to ensure that every retiring horse, from champion to claimer, has a better opportunity to find a good home.

The Fund is named in honor of Prodigious. He exemplifies the career racehorse - he ran 52 times at West Coast tracks, was a two-time competitor in the Longacres Mile and was in the money in over half of his races.

So why was Katie at the dinner? To pick up her own award - a plaque that reads:

"For her compassion and dedication to animal welfare and especially in the rehabilitaton, adoption and rescuing of thoroughbreds at her Second Chance Ranch."

The plaque is nice. The fund is even better!

At a time when there is an increasing need for a better safety net for horses, the Washington Racing Industry is stepping up. Hopefully other organizations will give them a run for their money!