Saturday, September 1, 2012
Contact: Dan Silver
Mark Bardack
MEDIA ADVISORY/DAYBOOK ITEM
Travers Celebration announces six-figure donation to benefit B.E.S.T., Times Union Hope Fund and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund
WHAT: The committee for the 12th annual Travers Celebration will present a six-figure donation to the event’s beneficiaries: the Backstretch Employee Service Team, the Times Union
Hope Fund and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
WHEN: Saturday, September 1
After Race 3 (approx. 2 p.m.)
WHERE: Saratoga Race Course
Winner’s Circle
WHO: -George R. Hearst III, Publisher & CEO, Times Union newspaper
-Sharon Dominguez , wife of Ramon Dominguez, winner of 2011 and 2012 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
-Paul Ruchames, Executive Director, B.E.S.T.
-Greg Stapleton, Times Union Hope Fund
-John Velazquez, Hall-of-Fame Jockey and Board Member, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund
-Sharon Hallenbeck, Macy’s Sales Manager
DETAILS: The committee members and sponsors of the 12th annual Travers Celebration will present a six-figure donation to the three beneficiaries of the official party of the Travers Stakes: the Backstretch Employee Service Team, the Times Union Hope Fund and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Held just two days before the running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers, all proceeds from the 12th annual Travers Celebration benefited the three community organizations.
The Travers Celebration has raised more than $1.1 million for non-profit organizations in the thoroughbred industry and throughout the greater Capital Region since its inception over a decade ago.
The Backstretch Employee Service Team is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing care and service to maintain the health and well-being of employees in the backstretch. The Times Union Hope Fund, a component of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, raises money and awards grants to after school and summer programs serving at risk children in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered devastating on-track injuries.
The 12th annual Travers Celebration was sponsored by Macy’s, Ketel One Vodka and The New York Racing Association, Inc.
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