Hall of Fame Jocks to Raise Money for PDJF
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Six of Thoroughbred racing's all-time greatest jockeys will be at Kentucky Downs Sept. 10 to raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund (PDJF).
Greeting fans and signing autographs will be Hall of Famers Calvin Borel, Pat Day, Chris McCarron, Laffit Pincay Jr., Edgar Prado, and Randy Romero. Additionally, Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg will also be on hand, signing autographs and copies of his new book: Jack, From Grit to Glory.
All of those Thoroughbred racing living legends will be signing autographs from 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. CDT near the Kentucky Downs winners' circle. Trading cards for each jockey will be provided to fans, and a $10 donation to the PDJF (for all autographs) is requested.
"It is truly an honor to host these Hall of Famers at Kentucky Downs," track president Corey Johnsen said. "They have given so much to our great sport, and it is indeed a privilege to work with them and the Jockeys' Guild to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund."
Collectively, the Hall of Fame riders in attendance have won an astounding 41,582 races (including eight editions of the Kentucky Derby gr. I) and captured over $1.25 billion in purse money. Van Berg ranks as the fifth winningest trainer of all-time, having saddled 6,426 winners to date, and he is best known as the trainer of Alysheba, the winner of the 1987 Kentucky Derby and the 1988 Horse of the Year. (Alysheba was ridden throughout his storied career by Chris McCarron).
The first live race on the 10-race September 10 card is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. (CST). The featured ninth race will go off at 5:35 p.m. (CST) with a full field of 12 fillies and mares going 1 mile and 70 yards on the turf for a $102,000 purse.
Also on Wednesday, Kentucky Downs will host a $15,000 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge Qualifier handicapping contest. The winner of the contest will earn a spot in the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge, slated for Oct. 31- Nov. 1, 2014 at Santa Anita Park. Compete information can be found here.
This year's remaining Kentucky Downs live racing dates are September 10, 13, 17 and 24.