On the flood-ravaged night of July 8, a jockey covered in thick black sludge arrived at Lincoln County Medical Center after participating in a perilous rescue at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, where stable hands and workers saved over 300 horses from rapidly rising floodwaters. Darrell Winter, the longtime chaplain of the racetrack community, highlighted the heroic efforts of these backstretch workers who not only protect valuable animals but also form a close-knit, largely transient community connected to the racing industry.

Winter’s role extends beyond emergency response; he leads extensive support programs for the horse handlers and their families, providing free meals, clothing, school supplies, and spiritual guidance. Supported by local businesses and a national network of donors, these efforts amount to over $250,000 annually, sustaining a vulnerable yet resilient community deeply tied to the racetrack despite recent closures and economic challenges caused by the floods.