Jockey Karaoke Heads to Del Mar After Saratoga Success

The 12th edition of Riders Up! jockey karaoke contest in Saratoga did not disappoint, raising over $140,000 at one of the most popular events on the race meet calendar. All totaled, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) raised almost $300,000 during events held this year in Saratoga Springs.

The competition between the Jockeys on stage was every bit as fierce as any stretch battle on the track, with Shane Sellers, and his rendition of Lionel Ritchie's Deep River Woman, edging out defending karaoke champion Jose Ortiz, with his audience-rousing performance of "A Bar Song" (Tipsy) by Shaboozey, in the judges Choice Award by the closest of margins. John and Leona Velazquez, singing Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta's You're the One That I Want from Grease, won the popular People's Choice Award.  

The Jockeys were as entertaining as ever, impressing the capacity crowd at the Vapor Night Club with surprising vocal talents and eye-popping costumes. But at times, it was the judges themselves that grabbed the spotlight with former MLB All-Star and co-owner of Dornoch, Jayson Werth, Father Jim Sichko and the rest of the celebrity panel keeping the audience in stitches.

Legendary track announcer Tom Durkin once again served as emcee piloting the evening's program and conducting the live auction portion of the night, which included Jason Werth's winning $15,000 bid on an immaculately restored bench from Belmont Park titled "The Test of Champions" which has the laser etched signatures of the five triple crown jockeys Ron Turcotte, Jean Cruguet, Steve Cauthen, Victor Espinoza and Mike Smith.  

PDJF would like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors, 1st Bet, Godolphin, Donegal Racing, NYRA, Centennial Farms, Michael Imperio, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, WinStar Farm, and the Jockeys' Guild.   

Next up, the Del Mar Jockeys will try their best to top their Saratoga counterparts in the ongoing Battle of East-vs-West on Sunday, Aug. 11. As with the Saratoga event, the Del Mar festivities will be posted throughout the evening on PDJF social media platforms, including Twitter (@PDJFund), Facebook (www.facebook.com/jockeysfund) and Instagram, and after the judges name their favorite performance, the public will vote for their favorite performance online via Facebook and Twitter. Fans will be able to vote between the winners of both events to make the final determination of the Coast with the Most.

General admission tickets (includes one drink coupon) for each person are $75 with 7:45 p.m. entry to Belly Up. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $175, which includes early entry 6:00 p.m. (PST), open reserved seats, two drink coupons, and a buffet dinner with the jockeys. Performances are scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. (PST) and will feature live and silent auctions and a cash bar. Patrons must be 21 years of age or older to enter the premises. Tickets are now on sale at https://pdjf.org/purchase-tickets.