**Travers Celebration Co-Chairs George R. Hearst III (fifth from right) and Sharon Dominguez (sixth from right) and Travers Celebration sponsor Macy’s, represented by Sharon Hallenbeck (third from right), present checks in the amount of $110,000 to the beneficiaries of the official party of the Travers: the Backstretch Employee Service Team, represented by Executive Director Paul Ruchames (fourth from right); the Times Union Hope Fund, represented by President Ruth Fantasia (seventh from right); and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, represented by several members of the Saratoga jockey colony. The presentation took place after the third race on Saturday, September 1, named the Travers Celebration. Over the past 12 years, the Travers Celebration has raised more than $1.2 million for non-profit organizations in the thoroughbred industry and throughout the greater Capital Region.**
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 presented 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:
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 presented 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 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
The 12th annual Travers Celebration was sponsored by Macy’s, Ketel One Vodka and The New York Racing Association, Inc.
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