Jockey Avery Whisman rode his final races on Aug. 23, 2022, at Presque Isle Downs. On Jan. 11, he died by suicide at age 23. On Monday, Presque Isle will host the $80,000 Avery Whisman Memorial Stakes. His death, followed by the suicide of fellow rider Alex Canchari at age 29 on March 1, created a watershed moment for the Thoroughbred industry regarding the mental health of those who participate in the sport. Earlier this month, a symposium on the mental wellness of jockeys and riders nationwide was hosted in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and The Jockeys’ Guild. It was the second such gathering this year, following a summit in May at Keeneland. “As Thoroughbred racing’s national safety regulator, HISA is deeply committed to safeguarding the mental and physical well-being of jockeys and riders across the country,” said Lisa Lazarus, chief executive officer of HISA. “We owe it to these athletes, who dedicate so much of their time and talent to racing, to do everything we can to support them – including by mitigating mental stress factors as well as the risk of injury and chronic health issues.” Among the speakers at the Saratoga event were Lazarus and Jockeys’ Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks. The event also featured a panel discussion that included retired Hall of Fame jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva, jockey Trevor McCarthy, FOX Sports analyst and retired jockey Richard Migliore, and Columbia University’s Dr. Yuval Neria, the director of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. :: Bet the races with a $250 First Deposit Match + $10 Free Bet and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets. As part of its efforts, HISA announced a partnership with the guild to create a steering committee that will make ongoing recommendations to support jockey mental wellness and implement programs to help them. HISA also announced partnerships with HEADCHECK Health and NovaCare Rehabilitation. “The Jockeys’ Guild appreciates all of the input and interest by industry participants to address jockeys’ mental health and wellness,” Meyocks said. “The guild has long advocated for the industry to recognize the stress and everyday challenges jockeys face.” The steering committee will be co-chaired by lifelong owner, breeder, and philanthropist Earle Mack and Neria. Data collected by a HISA and guild-commissioned survey earlier this year, as well as other independent research, will be used by the committee to develop specific guidelines. Neria suggested that the racing industry work toward establishing a national evaluation and treatment center that can address issues specific to riders that also may impact their mental health, such as the risk of concussion and issues that arise from making weight. “Physical injuries and concussions, coupled with hunger and lack of nutrients associated with weight management, place the rider at high risk for severe mental health problems, including depression, PTSD, and addictions,” Neria said. Industry partner HEADCHECK Health is a digital concussion protocol management platform that can allow racetrack personnel to use data-driven insights to improve the care of riders with a suspected concussion. Through the HEADCHECK platform, riders will gain access to a new, secure system to store their medical records, which will be easily available to physicians in an emergency. A partnership also was announced with NovaCare Rehabilitation, a nationwide physical therapy network with nearly 2,000 outpatient centers and more than 7,000 licensed therapists. NovaCare will provide jockeys with routine physicals and baseline concussion examinations at a discounted price nationwide. :: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures The Avery Whisman Memorial on Monday evening at Presque Isle will be run at a mile and 70 yards for 3-year-olds and up. It was formerly known as the Peach Street Stakes. Whisman rode in the race last year – his final stakes mount – finishing fourth aboard Surly Furious. Whisman also won the Karl Boyes Memorial on Surly Furious in July 2022 at Presque Isle. Antonio Gallardo will be aboard Surly Furious in the Whisman Memorial for trainer Glenn Wismer. The sentimental favorite is likely to be one of the favorites after repeating in the Karl Boyes last month and most recently finishing second in the Grade 3 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes. The field also includes Nice Ace and He’s a Mess, first and second, respectively, in the Hard Spun Stakes on July 25 at Presque Isle, graded stakes winner Frosted Grace, and stakes winner Hush of a Storm. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.