Canter for the Cause at Pimlico brought out 275 riders. Photo by Maryland Jockey Club.
From a Maryland Jockey Club release
More than 275 professional and amateurs riders walked, trotted and cantered their horses and ponies across historic Pimlico Race Course Sunday morning during Canter For The Cause, a popular event that raises money for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Susan G. Komen Maryland.
Beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday, riders rode their horses and ponies across the same track that has hosted Secretariat, Seabiscuit, Cigar, Affirmed, Rachel Alexandra, Seattle Slew, California Chrome and American Pharoah. Riders casually trotted and cantered, walked through a pink starting gate, and posed for photo opportunities in the winner’s circle.
Canter For The Cause was just one of several events held supporting Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Susan G. Komen Maryland before, during and after the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes. The event was sponsored in part by Maryland Saddlery and Equiery Magazine. Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company handed out complimentary coffee and the Mounted Unit of the Baltimore Police Department attended.
“For the second consecutive year, Canter For The Cause was a great opportunity for horse owners and horse lovers to enjoy Pimlico Race Course while raising awareness and giving back to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Susan G. Komen Maryland,” said Maryland Jockey Club Vice President and General Manager Sal Sinatra. “For those of us with the Maryland Jockey Club, it was a pleasure and honor to meet so many people who share our love and respect for the horse and are committed to the growth of Thoroughbred racing throughout Maryland.”
MARYLAND RACING NOTES
[su_list icon=”icon: check”]- Pimlico’s Rainbow Pick 6 carryover grew to more than $188,000 heading into Friday’s live racing card. No bettors had all six winners on Monday, although more than $66,000 was bet into the pool. The biggest surprise in the sequence was Righteous Intent’s win in the fifth race, paying $134. The bet pays in full only when there is a single unique winning ticket.
- Jockey Wallynette Rodriguez won her first race in the United States Monday when she rode Lightnin Fast Girl to victory in Pimlico’s first race. Rodriguez’s circuitous route to the winner’s circle started in 2004 when she graduated from jockey school in Puerto Rico and won her first race there three months later. She stopped riding, however, to raise her two children and only started riding again two years ago. Lightnin Fast Girl was her fourth mount in the U.S. “I work for trainer Wayne Potts and thank you to him for giving me the opportunity to ride,” she said. “It’s totally different in the morning than in the afternoon. I’m so happy. I’m so excited, so glad. Thank God for the opportunity.”Lightnin Fast Girl is owned by Marilu Pastrana and trained by Jonathan Maldonado.
