PDJF fundraiser nets $40,000
From a Thoroughbred Racing Associations release
A Kentucky Derby Day silent auction fundraising campaign held on May 7 at tracks and racing venues across the U.S. raised more than $40,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). The auction was a collaborative effort by the Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA), PDJF, JockeyTalk360, and the Jockeys’ Guild.
Each participating venue held a silent auction of framed, autographed photographs of Secretariat’s Belmont Stakes victory (signed by jockey Ron Turcotte), American Pharoah under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs (signed by trainer Bob Baffert), American Pharoah at the finish line of the Kentucky Derby (signed by jockey Victor Espinoza), and a collage of American Pharoah’s Triple Crown victories (signed by trainer Bob Baffert).
PDJF President Nancy LaSala said, “We sincerely thank the participating facilities along with Reed Palmer Photography and the Secretariat Foundation, trainer Bob Baffert, and jockeys Victor Espinoza and Ron Turcotte for their assistance in making this event a success.”
TRA-member tracks participating included: Arlington Park, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Finger Lakes, Gulfstream Park, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course, Horsemen’s Park, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Laurel Park, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, Parx Racing, Prairie Meadows, Remington Park, Sam Houston Race Park, Santa Anita Park, Tampa Bay Downs, and Turfway Park.
Non-TRA participants were Emerald Downs, Golden Gate Fields, Horse Races Now, Los Alamitos, Sports Haven OTB, Will Rogers Downs, Wyoming Horse Racing, and Zia Park.
PDJF is a 501(c)(3) public charity providing financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Since its founding in 2006, the fund has disbursed more than $7 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or brain injuries. Visit its website at www.pdjf.org.
