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Imperio Steps Down as President of the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. and Hands the Reins to Donald V. Little, Jr.

By | Latest News

Press Release

The Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) extends its profound gratitude to Libby Imperio, who is stepping down as President. Mrs. Imperio has served as President of the BCCA Board of Directors since 2014, and she joined the Board in 2009. Her vision, dedication, and tireless advocacy for backstretch children and their families have been transformative for our programs as we Educate to Elevate 365 days a year. She will continue to serve on the Board as Immediate Past President, and as Advisor to the Executive Committee.

Mrs. Imperio has been a vital part of BCCA, helping to support the children, families, and community she has long championed. During her 12 years of service, the annual Spring Fling Hat Luncheon, held at the Garden City Hotel, was established, as well as the annual Mistletoe Madness Holiday Luncheon, held at the Metropolitan Club in NYC. She, along with the BCCA Board, launched a college scholarship program which is awarded annually at the Anna House Graduation, and she felt that BCCA’s Annual Holiday Shopping Day should be opened to the entire backstretch community, and this event went from providing Christmas gifts for 50 families to 300 families.

For Mrs. Imperio, it has been incredibly heartwarming to see BCCA come full circle in providing programs that meet the needs of the entire family, and to play a role in that growth. With the addition of the Women’s Literacy Program in 2016, BCCA now equips backstretch mothers with tools to strengthen bonds with their children and communities. Over the years, she has been a warm, encouraging presence for these women, joining them for special luncheons to celebrate their dedication and achievements.

“My 12 years as President have brought with it so much success and growth to BCCA, and I will be forever grateful for all the support I received from the BCCA Board, BCCA staff, and most importantly, the donors for what we have accomplished together,” said Mrs. Imperio.

Building on this strong foundation of leadership and service, BCCA is pleased to announce that Donald V. Little, Jr. has been named President of the Board of Directors. This leadership transition reflects the organization’s commitment to continuity, experienced governance, and unwavering dedication to the families it serves.

Little has served on the BCCA Board of Directors since 2016 and as Vice President since 2019. As a lifelong horseman and respected member of the Thoroughbred racing community, he brings expertise and a strong commitment to the backstretch workers and children at the heart of BCCA’s mission.

“When I was asked to become President of such an outstanding and important organization for the children and families of the New York Thoroughbred racing backstretch community, it was an easy yes! I am honored to serve and will do my best to help BCCA thrive,” said Little.

About Donald V. Little, Jr.
Donald V. Little, Jr. has served as President and Co-Owner of Centennial Farms since 1990. A lifelong horseman and world-class polo player, he has competed on three continents at the highest levels of the sport, bringing the same dedication and discipline to his work in Thoroughbred racing.

At Centennial Farms, Little oversees day-to-day operations and works closely with professional horsemen and women to select, train, and manage the racing careers of the farm’s horses. He is an active member of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and regularly attends major sales.

Little brings a long record of board service and community leadership to his role as BCCA President through his strong commitment to effective governance and stewardship. Outside of the Thoroughbred racing industry, he serves as the current Chairman of the United States Polo Association (USPA) Club and Membership Administration Committee, member of the USPA Tournament Committee, and member of the National Polo Center Hospitality Committee.

About Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA)

The mission of the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) is to provide a safe, supportive, and academically inspiring environment for the children of parents working in the Thoroughbred racing backstretch area located at New York’s historic Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course. We are committed to promoting early childhood education, molding young minds, and encouraging the fulfillment of dreams.

Learn more at www.belmontchildcare.org.

Don Little, Jr. outside of Belmont Child Care Association's Anna House at Belmont Park.

WOW performance from sophomore Nearly!

By | Latest News, Nearly

Newly minted sophomore Nearly delivered an ultra-impressive effort as our first runner of 2026! The talented colt withstood a hard bump out of the gate, maintained his composure, and poured it on down the stretch. His five-length victory earned a gaudy 96 Beyer speed figure and gave every indication to target bigger goals next time out. Dr. Carr and Paula Parsons picked out a seriously nice colt, Paula and her team in Middleburg prepared him with aplomb, and the Pletcher barn (including groom Jose and rider Humberto) has done a tremendous job. He’s got a phenomenal group of partners and we couldn’t be happier for them. The Thoroughbred Daily News has more here.

Nearly rolls to maiden win!

By | Latest News, Nearly

Florida-bred Nearly made the most of his return to his home state! The exciting juvenile catapulted from a green New York debut to an impressive winner as our first starter of the season at Gulfstream Park. A tremendous amount of credit goes to the Pletcher barn, including riders Adele and Hector and groom Jose, for the transformation and to his patient partners who let him figure it out on his own timeline. The great John Velazquez knows him well and rode him to perfection. Like all of our horses, he was selected by Dr. Carr and Paula Parsons, and came up through Paula’s program at our farm in Middleburg. We can’t wait to see what he does next!

2025 Graystone, LLC formed at Keeneland

By | Graystone, Latest News

The Keeneland September Sale poses a unique challenge for those seeking stars – it is the largest sale of its kind, with hundreds of promising prospects to look at. Our acquisition team, led for years by Paula Parsons and Dr. Carr, continues to rise to the occasion. They selected four colts at the same sale where they’ve found stars like Wicked Strong, Preservationist, Rocketry, and Antiquarian. Each of the new individuals come from terrific female families and represent elite sires whose offspring have yet to carry the red and tan of Centennial Farms – national leaders Constitution and Twirling Candy, top 3 freshman Maxfield, and young, multiple G1 winner Jack Christopher. Learn more about them here and contact us to discuss how you can be part of their team.

Antiquarian stamps ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic!

By | Antiquarian, Latest News

What a horse, what a race! We’re so glad that Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Mindframe are ok and are beyond proud of Antiquarian for continuing to step up and improve every time he gets out there. There is a tremendous group of patient partners behind this horse, some of whom were part of his sire, Preservationist, as well, and it couldn’t be more gratifying to get to watch them celebrate a victory in what is truly one of the most important and historic races in the country. Our heartfelt thanks to them, Paula Parsons and her staff in Middleburg, including foreman Juan and riders Aoife and Alexis, Dr. Carr, Todd Pletcher and his team, including groom Juan Jose, exercise rider Edy, hotwalker Ernesto, and so many others. This victory came six years to the day that Preservationist won the G1 Woodward at Saratoga – a truly full-circle moment that leaves us speechless. Well done, Baby P!

 

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Life Is Good colt joins roster

By | Bloomfield, Latest News

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale is an annual highlight for partners and a source of pride for the acquisition team, who has found stars like Rubiano, Colonial Affair, Corinthian, and Unified there. The 104th edition proved no exception. Blockbuster trading across the two sessions broke records and we were able to walk away with exactly the colt we wanted. Hip 17 is a colt from the first crop of brilliant Life Is Good, a son of leading sire and proven sire of sires Into Mischief. He’s the first foal for his dam, Velvet Slippers, who was stakes placed twice in Southern California and hails from a deep family. Ownership interests are now available in the 2025 Bloomfield, LLC and we encourage you to reach out with any questions.

A Life Is Good - Velvet Slippers (Quality Road) colt purchased at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga. He is available as part of the Bloomfield, LLC Thoroughbred racing partnership.

Saratoga Sense!

By | Latest News, Makes Sense

Off the duck at Saratoga! There’s nothing like a winner at nation’s showcase meet and we love that this special group of partners got to enjoy one with this neat colt. We’re so grateful them, Dr. Carr, Paula Parsons and her staff, and the Pletcher barn. Makes Sense shipped up from Belmont Park where assistant Stu, groom Manfredi, and regular rider Aarom got him ready to roll. Our thanks to all and, of course, to Makes Sense himself!

Any trip to the Saratoga winner’s circle is always special, but a new program put in place by NYRA‘s racing department made his victory even more so. “Wayne’s Winners” honors the legacy of D. Wayne Lukas by inviting kids to join the celebration for the first race each day. Of course, Todd Pletcher is uniquely suited to take that unforgettable experience and make it magical. There’s nothing like being up-close with a racehorse and Makes Sense was happy to oblige!

Back-to-back for “WO”!

By | Latest News, War Officer

It took War Officer awhile to break out of the maiden ranks, but he’s got a hang of things now! The gelding, facing winners for the first time, picked up his second straight victory at Gulfstream Park. Neither win would have been possible without the patient partners behind him and we couldn’t be happier for them. Huge congratulations and thanks to them, jockey Edgard Zayas, Todd Pletcher and his staff, Paula Parsons and everyone in Middleburg, Dr. Carr, this cool gelding, and so many more. It takes a village and we love the one behind this guy!

Welcome back, Antiquarian!

By | Antiquarian, Latest News

He’s baaaaaaack! Antiquarian, making his first start since the Belmont Stakes, kicked off his four-year-old campaign with an impressive allowance victory at Gulfstream Park. Despite the long layoff, tricky distance, and salty field, he dug in, drew off, and earned a strong 93 Beyer speed figure. A lot of credit and thanks goes to Paula Parsons and her staff in Middleburg for managing his layoff, Todd Pletcher and his team, including groom Juan Jose and rider Eduardo, Dr. Carr, Edgard Zayas, and patient partners who put the horse first. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store!

War Officer breaks through

By | Latest News, War Officer

After knocking on the door on multiple occasions, it was finally War Officer’s turn! The gelding delivered a terrific effort under confident handling by jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. to pull clear to a comfortable maiden score. Our utmost thanks to Todd Pletcher’s team, including grooms Leonel and Julio, Paula Parsons and her staff, Jimmy Jerkens, who had him at two, Dr. Carr, Irad, and his terrific, patient partners.