The New York Race Track Chaplaincy will honor Johnny Velazquez and his wife Leona with the newly renamed John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney Award for their support of the New York backstretch community at its 18th Annual Fundraising Brunch on August 13, 2025. Velazquez, a Hall of Fame jockey, has won over 6,600 races and serves on the NY Chaplaincy board of directors. The award was renamed in honor of John Hendrickson, who passed away in 2024 and shared a special connection with the backstretch community.
The annual award was originally known as the Marylou Whitney Award, but was renamed after the passing of John Hendrickson in 2024. Velazquez, who has won two Eclipse Awards and multiple Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup races, has been an active member of The Jockeys’ Guild and serves as its co-chairman. Leona has also been involved in backstretch organizations and served on the Belmont Child Care Association board.
The NY Race Track Chaplaincy provides enrichment programs, social services, and religious services to the NY backstretch and farming communities. Past honorees at the Brunch have included prominent figures in the horse racing industry. Tickets and sponsorships for the event can be found on the NY Race Track Chaplaincy’s website.
