Racetrack ministry combines spirituality with horse sense

The gritty behind-the-scenes crew loves him.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Comforter, benefactor, handicapper.
That's the Rev. Frank Niehaus, a retired Roman Catholic priest whose Backstretch Works of Mercy ministers to the hot-walkers, grooms and dirty booted laborers in the hard-working racetrack barn area the public seldom sees.
Father Niehaus calls it "a society within a society."
John Engelhardt, publicity director at River Downs, says, "He's the real deal. He walks the walk. He lives the life he preaches. He gets his hands dirty."
Father Niehaus, 74, retired as an active priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati eight years ago after a career at several parishes and in chancellery administration. Because of his love of racing, he soon started an independent ministry where he saw a need, on the backstretch at River Downs and at Turfway Park, in nearby Florence, Ky.
"Some people like cats and dogs," Father Niehaus said. "I like horses."
His work keeps him close to horses -- he owns one that has been unable to race because of an injury -- and the people who work with them.
"It's rewarding," Father Niehaus said, "I get a lot of satisfaction helping out. I like to think the Lord has blessed me."
Father Niehaus celebrated 48 years as a priest May 28. He has been a high school teacher, pastor and jail chaplain. Now he provides spiritual and temporal help, sometimes getting a lawyer for a hot-walker who got into a brawl, maybe bringing a mattress for somebody who has been sleeping on a dorm floor.
"There's always somebody who needs something," Father Niehaus said.
Social service
Engelhardt describes Father Niehaus as a "one-man social service agency. He refers people to health centers, mental-health centers -- he can get things done."
Father Niehaus still twists arms for donations at his old parishes every Christmas, so he can put on a dinner for backstretch workers and provide a bag of clothing and toiletries.
"These are delightful people," Father Niehaus said.
"They're at work at 5 o'clock in the morning, seven days a week, and they don't get paid that much. It's a joy to help them."
Engelhardt attests to their needs.
"We employ more of the unemployable than any other industry," Engelhardt said. "All you have to have is a strong back and the will to get up early every morning and go to work."
Father Niehaus' ministry depends on donations, and River Downs chips in. Engelhardt does a daily promo with a sports-talk station, and the track pays $78 -- one dollar for each year the track has been in business -- to the designated charity of the radio host if he picks the winner of a featured race.
"Father Niehaus' Backstretch Works of Mercy has been our adopted charity for many years," Engelhardt said.
Sunday Mass
Father Niehaus celebrates Mass every Sunday in the River Downs grandstand. About 60 people, including owners, trainers, green-shirted mutuel clerks and concession workers, attended on a recent Sunday while tractors groomed the track and backstretch workers prepared for the afternoon's race card.
"It's important not to let this day get away," he preached.
After the customary, "Go in peace, the Mass is ended," Father Niehaus said, "OK, let's raise the rafters," and led the singing of "God Bless America."
JoAnn Dragoo of Cincinnati, a mutuel clerk at the track for 26 years and a Sunday regular, goes to work shortly after Mass.
"I love what he has to say," Dragoo said. "He talks to us in our language about everyday things. I love him."
"It's very convenient," says trainer Art Zeis. "We train seven days a week, so Sunday morning is like every other morning. Usually we're done by 11 o'clock, when Mass starts."
After Mass, Father Niehaus visits the jockey's room to recap his sermon, ending with a prayer for a safe day in a very dangerous sport. One of River Downs' leading jocks, Jose Calo, 41, looks forward to the Sunday meetings.
"You feel safe. You feel good. There's something about him, something good about him," Calo said. "You always feel comfortable with him."
Handicapper
Engelhardt is host of the "Regular Guy" handicapping show that is seen between races in-house and at tracks that carry River Downs' simulcasts. Father Niehaus sometimes sits in to offer his picks.
"He's a very good handicapper. He's bred horses and owned them. He knows what goes into the game," Engelhardt said. "He's my most popular co-host. I get calls from all over the country whenever he's on. People enjoy the humor he brings to the show."
Father Niehaus wears vestments for Mass, but otherwise his attire is casual -- no more Roman collar and black suit. His likes an occasional wager, a social drink and a good cigar.
"You sometimes forget you're sitting next to a priest. That's why we have so much fun," Engelhardt said.