BST providing Thanksgiving dinner to NYRA backstretch

Bollam, Sheedy, Torani, & Co (BST), Financial and Management Consultants,

will once again underwrite a special Thanksgiving meal at both Belmont Park and

Aqueduct so that more than 500 backstretch workers will have the opportunity to

share in the true spirit of the holiday. It will mark the third year the Albany,

New York, based firm has sponsored the feast for the Backstretch Employees

Service Team (B.E.S.T).

For many of the grooms, hotwalkers and exercise riders who work on the

backstretch at Belmont and Aqueduct, Thanksgiving is just another day in the

year-round cycle of caring for racehorses.

"We've been fortunate here at BST for 35 years and we believe in giving back

to the community," said Managing Partner Joe Torani, who will be serving meals

along with his daughter, Amy, and BST's Eric Kreuter, Mike Murray, and Bill

Frietag. "We are happy to again provide the financial support for this event."

Under the supervision of Dennis Zoitos, who runs the concessions on the

backstretch for The New York Racing Association (NYRA), the holiday meals will

be served in the cafeterias of both racetracks from 10 a.m. (EST) until 2 p.m.

on November 24, which is a non-racing day in New York.

In addition to turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy, the workers will

also enjoy salad, a selection of vegetables, dinner rolls, dessert and

beverages. For the non-traditional minded, Zoitos will also be offering another

option.

"We'll be serving about 150 people at Aqueduct, and about 350 at Belmont,"

Zoitos said. "And we have lasagna for anyone who doesn't want turkey."

BST, which also has branch offices in Manhattan and Manhasset, originally

stepped in to underwrite the holiday dinner after funding for the 2007 event

fell through.

"We've been doing it every year since, and we plan on doing it for the

foreseeable future," Torani said. "This is the first year I will be able to

attend, and I am looking forward to enjoying it and helping out."

BST, headquartered in Albany, is one of the largest accounting and consulting

firms in the Empire State. It provides specialized services, tailored solutions,

dedicated focus, and professional experience and expertise in a variety of

areas.

B.E.S.T. provides a full range of health and human services to support

workers in the barn areas of NYRA's three racetracks: Aqueduct, Belmont and

Saratoga. Their programs include on-site primary care health clinics, health

benefits and counseling services.