Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York

Community Health and Human Servicesbestbackstretch.org

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York (BEST) is a 1989-founded nonprofit providing free on-site healthcare, mental health, substance use, education, and transportation services to backstretch workers at NYRA's Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga racetracks, funded through donations and industry sponsorships.

Company typePrivate
Founded1989
HeadquartersElmont, United States
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York does

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York (BEST), founded in 1989, is a New York-based nonprofit health and human services organization that provides free, on-site support programs to backstretch workers — the barn-area employees who care for horses and maintain facilities — at three New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks: Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga. Its core service portfolio spans primary healthcare (delivered via on-site clinics at Belmont and Saratoga in partnership with Northwell Health and Saratoga Hospital), mental health and substance use counseling, ESL and citizenship education, transportation assistance, health insurance enrollment, and community-building programs. Headquartered at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY with a satellite office at Saratoga Springs, the organization runs a small staff (11–50 employees) supplemented by credentialed clinicians, bilingual outreach staff, and a volunteer base.

BEST's business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than commercial: all services are delivered at no cost to beneficiaries, and operating revenue derives from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (NYRA, NYTHA, DraftKings/DK Horse, Streit's Matzos), and fundraising events such as BEST Day at The Rail and the Saratoga season programming. The organization has no proprietary technology; its "product" is a coordinated suite of in-person, culturally responsive (largely Spanish-language) human services tailored to the schedules and circumstances of a transient, primarily immigrant workforce. Governance is anchored by a Board heavily interlocks with the horse racing industry, with NYRA executives serving as Co-Chair and Vice Chair, providing structural access, referral channels, and donor pipelines that competitors would find difficult to replicate.

Operational scale, per 2025 reporting, includes approximately 3,200+ primary care visits, 930+ specialist visits, 700+ mental health sessions, 640+ recovery and substance use support sessions, 1,500+ educational hours, and 5,000+ transportation rides per year. Leadership transitioned in January 2024 with the appointment of Nancy Underwood as Executive Director, and the organization has continued to deepen its healthcare-system partnerships (notably Northwell, Mount Sinai, and the NY State Department of Health) while pursuing state-level policy support via retained lobbying advisors.

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York
Legal name: Backstretch Employee Service Team
Website: https://bestbackstretch.org
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1989
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York (BEST) is a 1989-founded nonprofit providing free on-site healthcare, mental health, substance use, education, and transportation services to backstretch workers at NYRA's Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga racetracks, funded through donations and industry sponsorships.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York industry classification

Industry

Product category: Community Health and Human Services
NAICS: Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)
SIC: Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
akta.pro primary industry: Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)
akta.pro secondary industry: Workplace/Occupational Rehab & Work Conditioning (HSADAIAI)

Keywords

Backstretch worker services
Community health services
Nonprofit human services
Substance use counseling
Worker support programs

Where Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Elmont
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

Donations and Fundraising: BEST relies on individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns to support its operations and programs for backstretch workers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York (BEST) is a nonprofit health and human services agency that delivers free, on-site primary healthcare, mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, ESL/citizenship education, transportation assistance, and community programs to backstretch workers at Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga racetracks. The organization operates two physical primary healthcare clinics and coordinates wraparound support services around the demanding schedules of racetrack workers.

Product overview

BEST is a nonprofit health and human services organization that provides comprehensive support programs for backstretch workers at Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga racetracks. The organization operates on-site primary healthcare clinics and offers a coordinated suite of services including mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, educational programs (ESL, citizenship education), transportation assistance, community-building activities, and health insurance enrollment support. Rather than a technology product, BEST provides direct human services designed to meet the unique needs of essential horse racing industry workers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Primary Healthcare Services On-site primary healthcare clinics at Belmont and Saratoga racetracks providing annual physicals, preventive screenings, vision and dental coordination, specialist referrals, and workers' compensation case coordination for backstretch workers.
Mental Health & Counseling Confidential, culturally responsive mental health care including individual psychotherapy, trauma-informed clinical care, crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment and prevention, and domestic violence counseling for backstretch workers.
Recovery & Substance Use Support Outpatient substance use disorder treatment including individual and group counseling, recovery support groups, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and on-site recovery housing for backstretch workers.
Education & Workforce Empowerment Programs Educational services including English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship and immigration education, workplace safety training, Narcan training, and healthy living education for backstretch workers.
Transportation & Essential Services Transportation assistance to medical, government, and essential appointments including Social Security, DMV, banking, and citizenship appointments, plus a free store for clothing and essentials.
Community & Social Programs Community-building programs including a community garden, women's group, Tuesday lunches, BEST 'Turned Out Groom' recognition, Bistro Cafe, and backstretch appreciation events.
Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance Health insurance enrollment assistance and benefits coordination for backstretch workers navigating coverage options.

Companies that use Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York

Customer profile

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

NYRA (New York Racing Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYRA operates the three racetracks where BEST provides services. BEST works closely with NYRA to improve working and living conditions for backstretch workers. Several NYRA executives serve on the BEST Board of Directors, including Iris Roberts (Associate General Counsel/Director of Compliance) and Daniel Summers (Senior Director of Administration).
NYTHA (New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYTHA represents thoroughbred owners and trainers in New York. Aron Yagoda serves as Co-Chair of the BEST Board and is an NYTHA Board Member. NYTHA provides support for backstretch worker welfare programs.
New York State Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState health department partner providing support for healthcare programs and public health initiatives for backstretch workers.
Northwell HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthwell Health operates the BEST Clinic at Belmont Park, providing primary healthcare services to backstretch workers through the Northwell BEST Clinic.
Saratoga HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing specialist referrals and medical services for backstretch workers at Saratoga Race Course.
DraftKings / DK HorseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDraftKings is a horse racing industry partner. Christopher Cipolla, General Manager of Horse Racing at DraftKings, serves on the BEST Board, helping support and promote BEST's mission.
Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)minorOthersIndustry organization focused on aftercare for thoroughbred horses. Listed as a partner on BEST's services page.
New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNajja Thompson, Executive Director of NYTB, serves on the BEST Board as Secretary, advocating for the industry and supporting backstretch worker welfare.
Saratoga County Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business organization supporting the Saratoga community. Najja Thompson serves on the Chamber's board, connecting BEST with broader community resources.
Molloy University Mobile ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner vendor at the Belmont Park Health Fair providing health screenings and services to backstretch workers.
Nassau County Department of HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal health department partner providing services at Belmont Park Health Fair including health screenings and educational resources.
Nassau County Dental SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing dental care services and screenings for backstretch workers at the Health Fair.
Mount SinaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare system partner providing medical services and specialist referrals for backstretch workers at Health Fair events.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Regional players

Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund: Kentucky horsemen's welfare program providing health and welfare benefits to backstretch workers. Similar mission and beneficiary population focused on a different regional racing jurisdiction.
Belmont Child Care Association: Nonprofit operating a child care center at Belmont Park serving children of backstretch workers. Overlapping beneficiary population and physical co-location at one of BEST's service sites, with narrower service scope (childcare only).
California Retirement Management Account (CARMA): California-based nonprofit providing health and retirement benefits to backstretch workers in the California racing industry. Comparable beneficiary population and service category, but serves West Coast racetracks rather than NY.

Broad incumbents

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance: Industry-wide nonprofit focused on aftercare for retired Thoroughbred racehorses. Operates within the same Thoroughbred racing ecosystem with overlapping industry partners (NYRA, NYTHA), but addresses equine welfare rather than human welfare.
Catholic Charities of Long Island: Regional faith-based social services nonprofit offering case management, immigration, and healthcare access programs to underserved populations. Comparable wraparound service model but a much broader beneficiary base in the same NY geography.

Direct peers

Race Track Chaplaincy of America: National nonprofit providing chaplaincy and human services to backstretch and paddock workers across U.S. racetracks. Comparable mission serving the same beneficiary population, with broader geographic reach than BEST.
Backside Learning Center: A nonprofit at Churchill Downs providing ESL, healthcare access, and social services to horse racing backstretch workers in Kentucky. Directly comparable mission (backstretch worker welfare), beneficiary population, and service mix to BEST.
Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund: Nonprofit providing financial and health support to catastrophically injured jockeys. Adjacent mission within the horse racing industry supporting worker welfare, comparable beneficiary population subset.

Emerging players

The Jockeys' Guild: National organization representing jockeys and providing health, disability, and welfare benefits. Overlapping industry and beneficiary population (active riders vs. backstretch workers), with different but adjacent worker-welfare focus.

Others

National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association: National trade association representing Thoroughbred owners and trainers on racetrack worker welfare issues. Indirectly comparable as an industry-wide advocate for backstretch worker conditions, with a lobbying/policy rather than direct-service orientation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York

What does Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York do?

Is Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York a public or private company?

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York founded?

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York based?

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York is headquartered in Elmont, United States, in the North America region.

How does Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York make money?

One revenue line is on record: donations and Fundraising.

Who are Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York's main competitors?

Regional players on record are Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund, Belmont Child Care Association and California Retirement Management Account (CARMA). Broad incumbents are Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Catholic Charities of Long Island. Direct peers are Race Track Chaplaincy of America, Backside Learning Center and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The Jockeys' Guild is listed as an emerging player. National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association is listed as an others.

Does Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York have an API?

No public API is recorded for Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York.

What industry is Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York in?

Backstretch Employee Service Team of New York's product category is Community Health and Human Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAJ, Employment & Job Readiness Support Services, with a secondary code of HSADAIAI, Workplace/Occupational Rehab & Work Conditioning. Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 8300.