Congratulations, 2025 Backstretch Scholarship Winners!
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, through the Illinois Backstretch Charitable Foundation (IBCF), provides scholarships to the college-bound children of backstretch workers. Children of trainers also are eligible for this educational support.
Congratulations and best wishes to all the 2025 scholarship recipients, including:
• Yuleni Aragon (Chamberlain University)
• Eric Gutierrez (Dartmouth College)
• Josue Martinez (Saint Xavier University)
• Cesar Mendez (Dominican University)
• Cindy Perez (Illinois State University)
• Andy Roman (Morton College)
• Angel Sanchez (UIUC Graduate Program)
• George Velazquez (Moraine Valley Community College)
• Kathy Velazquez (Moraine Valley Community College)
Our scholarship program is an invaluable asset to Illinois thoroughbred racing, having helped hundreds of students — children of backstretch workers or trainers — in northern Illinois head to college. Recent scholarship recipients pursued education at local institutions of higher learning and colleges across the country.