TurfPublicists: STONESTREET TO ANNOUNCE NAME OF RACHEL ALEXANDRA'S FIRST FOAL JULY 27 AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE

Monday, July 23, 2012

Contacts: Ashley Herriman (NYRA)

Caroline Shaw (Stonestreet)

STONESTREET TO ANNOUNCE NAME OF RACHEL ALEXANDRA’S FIRST FOAL JULY 27 AT SARATOGA RACE COURSE

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Barbara Banke, owner of Stonestreet, will visit Saratoga Race Course this Friday, July 27, to announce the name of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra’s first foal, a colt by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin born on January 22.

The name, which was submitted by Rachel Alexandra and Curlin’s fans earlier this year, will be announced by Ms. Banke in a special ceremony following the running of the $100,000 Curlin Stakes (approximate post 6:22 p.m.).

Stonestreet offered fans a chance to select the name of the bay colt on Valentine’s Day and more than 6,500 official entries were considered. The name ultimately chosen was the most popular suggestion, and Banke, with assistance from Rachel Alexandra, drew the winning entry on Monday, July 23. The winner receives the opportunity to spend a night at Stonestreet Farm near Lexington, Ky. and have a special visit with Rachel and her weanling.

“Even in retirement the love and affection shown to Curlin and Rachel Alexandra continues to amaze us. We feel the name the fans selected carries on the legacy of these two amazing athletes,” said Banke. “We picked Saratoga to make our announcement because of the deeply ingrained histories of both parents and NYRA’s wonderful fans.”

Friday’s event has been dubbed “A Toast to Taco’s Official Name” as the colt was nicknamed Taco on the farm, and Banke will encourage fans and patrons around Saratoga Race Course to raise a glass that afternoon in honor of his official moniker.

Stonestreet representatives will attend the races at Saratoga on Friday and distribute special vouchers to fans during the race card, redeemable for a glass of Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay or lemonade at select locations around the track. Chances to secure one of these vouchers will be announced on Twitter by Stonestreet (follow @StonestreetFarm).

NYRA will hold a Facebook promotion offering fans a chance to win photos of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra (like NYRA on Facebook for details about how to enter) and Friday’s text trivia question will be Curlin and Rachel Alexandra-themed.

Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to win the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes when she thrilled thousands with an electrifying performance at the Spa in 2009. The race was the centerpiece of an ambitious 3-year-old campaign that also saw her become the first filly in 85 years to win the Grade 1 Preakness, and netted her Horse of the Year honors.

Curlin, now standing at Lane’s End, secured back-to-back Horse of the Year titles by winning the 2007 Preakness and Breeder’s Cup Classic as well as the 2008 Dubai World Cup and became the highest North American money-earner. Curlin, too, won the Woodward (2008) and was the back-to-back winner of the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational at Belmont Park in 2007 and 2008.

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