Nationwide Silent Auction to Benefit PDJF

Twenty-nine organizations across the United States will participate in a second-annual Derby Day Silent Auction fundraiser May 7 to support the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

 

Proceeds from the collaborative effort by the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, PDJF, JockeyTalk360, and the Jockeys' Guild will provide aid for permanently disabled jockeys' health care and living expenses.

           

Each participating racetrack 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 Baffert).

 

"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," said PDJF president Nancy LaSala. "Without their generous support, this auction would not happen."

 

TRA-member tracks participating include: Arlington International Race Course, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack, 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, Harrah's 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.