Tracks around the nation to hold PDJF fundraiser
From a Thoroughbred Racing Associations release
A consortium of racing organizations has announced the second annual Derby Day Silent Auction Fundraiser to be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 29 tracks and racing venues across the U.S. to raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).
Proceeds from the collaborative effort by the Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA), PDJF, JockeyTalk360, and the Jockeys’ Guild will provide aid for permanently disabled jockeys’ health care and living expenses.
Each participating track will hold a silent auction of framed, autographed photographs of Secretariat (signed by jockey Ron Turcotte), American Pharoah (signed by jockey Victor Espinoza), American Pharoah winning the Kentucky Derby (signed by trainer Bob Baffert), and a collage of American Pharoah’s Triple Crown victories (signed by trainer Bob Baffert).
“We had a successful Derby Day Silent Auction in 2015 and look forward to this year’s event,” said PDJF President Nancy LaSala. “We have some outstanding items and would like to thank Reed Palmer Photography, Skip Dickstein, Ron Turcotte, Victor Espinoza, Bob Baffert and all the racing venues. Without their generous support, this auction would not happen.”
TRA-member tracks participating include: Arlington Park, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Finger Lakes, Gulfstream Park, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, Horseman’s Park, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Laurel Park, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, Louisiana Downs, Monmouth Park, Parx Racing, Prairie Meadows, Remington Park, Sam Houston Race Park, Santa Anita Park, Tampa Bay Downs, and Turfway Park.
Non-TRA facilities participating are Emerald Downs, Golden Gate Fields, Los Alamitos, Will Rogers Downs, Wyoming Horse Racing, and Zia Park.
Individuals and others who wish to contribute to the fundraising effort for disabled jockeys may do so by sending checks payable to: PDJF, P.O. Box 803, Elmhurst, IL 60126 or visit its website at www.pdjf.org. PDJF is a 501(c)(3) public charity providing financial assistance to 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Since its founding in 2006, the fund has disbursed approximately $7 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or brain injuries.
