From a Maryland Jockey Club release
The Maryland Jockey Club today announced the return of Black-Eyed Susan Day’s “Ultimate Girls Day Out,” celebrating the spirit and strength of women, Friday, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course.
Black-Eyed Susan Day, held annually on the third Friday in May, is the second biggest day on the Maryland racing calendar in terms of purses, attendance and handle, trailing only Preakness Day.
First run as the Pimlico Oaks in 1919, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2), for 3-year-old fillies, is the co-headliner on a 13-race card that also features the historic Pimlico Special (G3).
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (http://www.thoroughbredaftercare.org/), caring for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers, joins Susan G. Komen® Maryland, a major partner in the day’s charitable endeavors since 2010, as this year’s event beneficiaries.
The Maryland Jockey Club’s ongoing recognition of thoroughbreds after racing remains a welcome blessing. What a great honor for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) to be chosen as an official charity on such a prestigious and historic day as Black-Eyed Susan,” said Stacie Clark, TAA’s Operation’s Consultant. “The support of the public and the horse racing industry is crucial in allowing these magnificent animals who gave so much of themselves in their racing careers to find useful, happy & purposeful lives afterwards, bringing joy to many,”
The signature pink of Susan G. Komen Maryland has graced the colorful celebration of Black-Eyed Susan Day for the past five years, raising money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Susan G. Komen is fueling the best science and making the biggest impact in the fight against breast cancer, having invested almost $2 billion globally to end breast cancer through ground-breaking research, community health outreach and advocacy in more than 50 countries. www.komenmd.org
“Susan G. Komen Maryland has enjoyed a partnership with the MarylandJockey Club for five years, building on a unique network of participants whose involvement in Black-Eyed Susan Day also supports Komen Maryland. It is a privilege to be one of the selected charities for this event. Shining the light on women’s health on Black-Eyed Susan Day is a perfect opportunity to promote ending breast cancer forever and to enjoy a fabulous day outdoors watching the beautiful three year old fillies run”, said Komen Maryland’s Chief Executive Officer, Robin Prothro.
Pimlico will launch initiatives supporting both charities with a series of events leading up to and on Black-Eyed Susan Day, including the popular “Canter for the Cause” on Sunday, May 10. Inaugurated in 2014, Canter for the Cause allows the public to follow in the footsteps of racing’s greatest champions with the chance to bring their favorite horse to Pimlico and ride the oval where Seabiscuit, Secretariat and others made history.
“The Maryland Jockey Club’s continued commitment to the community and to a platform respecting and celebrating the empowerment of women is never more important than at that time of year when the eyes of the world are on Baltimore and Pimlico Race Course. We are proud to champion the causes that this day is all about: family, career relationships, health education and philanthropy’, said MJC Vice President and General Manager, Sal Sinatra.
The Women in Business Networking Luncheon, presented by Morgan Stanley, and in cooperation with the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber, will return on May 15. Last year’s Keynote Speaker was actress Mariel Hemmingway.
And a new event has been added to the Black-Eyed Susan Day line-up, the $30,000 “Bet Like A Girl” All-Female Handicapper Challenge & Seminar, featuring top picks and insider information from the country’s finest female horseplayers. Participating in the inaugural “Bet Like A Girl” Challenge & Seminar will be:
- Christina Bossinakis
- Caton Bredar
- Donna Brothers
- Jill Byrne
- Jeannine Edwards
- Gabby Gaudet
- Maggie Wolfendale
Full details on all the Black-Eyed Susan Day events and happenings, including the Infield music festival line up, will be announced shortly. Black-Eyed Susan Day tickets, featuring the newest all-inclusive ticket package, The Flute Club, can be purchased by calling the Pimlico sales office (877-206-8042) or by logging onto www.blackeyedsusanday.com.
Jill Byrne… at Pimlico?! This has to be a first as I can never recall seeing her around the Stakes Barn during Preakness Week in all my years (since 2008) covering the Preakness.
I remember one of the better NY based female thoroughbred bred writers asking other female enthusiasts what racing could do for women and being asked “why does everything have to be pink or big hats?”. As someone who has undergone 3years of cancer treatments I can tell you first hand there are other types of cancer and the Susan G, Komen group is called the “Pink Mafia” for a reason. PC and does nothing for racing, only lines the pockets of highly paid Cancer Industry “Specialists” .If you truly care about women, Lung Cancer research a desperately needs more funding but goes wanting.