The Friday Show Presented By Woodbine: Putting Aftercare Front And Center

“Aftercare is not an afterthought.”

That's the mantra that drives CARMA – the California Retirement Management Account – to fulfill its mission to help fund the retirement of California-raced Thoroughbreds and educate the public and racing community about aftercare.

Lucinda Lovitt, executive director of CARMA, joins Ray Paulick and editor-in-chief Natalie Voss on this week's Friday Show to talk about this critical element of the Thoroughbred industry that, only a few decades ago, was discussed in hushed tones among industry insiders.

“The general public has taken a good look at our industry and one thing they expect,” Lovitt said, “is that these horses have something to do when their racing careers are over.”

CARMA, along with other regional organizations and the national Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, has helped bring about a “formalization” of the retirement process over the last 15 years, Lovitt said.

'It's important for owners to remember,” Lovitt said, “that – now especially – a retirement plan needs to be part of an owner's business plan from the beginning.”

Watch this week's episode of The Friday Show below: