Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Ky., will host its 20th Annual Homecoming event on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Homecoming tickets are $50 per person, $25 for 2025 Clubhouse Members (children 12 and under are free). Tickets can be purchased by CLICKING HERE Or entering the following URL in your browser: https://tinyurl.com/rzzctbs5 Tickets will be on sale online now through Saturday, May 3rd at 5 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door. The day will include a barbecue buffet lunch provided by Proud Mary, farm tours, live Bluegrass music courtesy of Steve Norman and Friends, book signings, and live and silent auctions of racing memorabilia, collectible stallion halters, artwork, jewelry, books, and much more. Old Friends, a non-profit organization, is home to such retired luminaries of the turf as 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, and Hall of Famer, Silver Charm; 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Big Brown; 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, I’ll Have Another; multiple graded-stakes winner and Hall of Famer, Lava Man; Belmont Stakes winners Touch Gold, Birdstone, and Ruler On Ice; three-time Santa Anita Handicap winner, Game On Dude; 2012 Breeders’ Cup Turf and Arlington Million winner, Little Mike; 2005 Wood Memorial winner Bellamy Road; Triple-Crown star, Patch; and two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner, Stormy Liberal. The event is rain or shine. For additional information please call the farm at (502) 863-1775.

Saratoga Springs business owners, racing fans, and community members will gather on Tuesday, June 3rd for Embrace The Belmont II at Universal Preservation Hall. Returning for its second year, this meaningful and lively evening will bring together the thrill of Belmont Stakes week with the impactful mission of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS). The event will raise funds in support of THS’s equine-assisted therapy programs that serve individuals in the local community who are facing mental health challenges. As New York prepares to host the Belmont Stakes in 2025, this event invites guests to deepen their connection to the sport while learning about the important work that takes place when racehorses retire and find purpose in new careers helping people heal. Donna Barton Brothers, NBC Sports racing analyst and former jockey, returns as emcee. With more than 1,100 career wins and a voice known across the nation for Triple Crown coverage, Donna brings both expertise and passion to this unforgettable evening. “I am thrilled to return to Saratoga Springs for Embrace The Belmont,” said Donna Barton Brothers. “This event brings together everything I care about in one place — the excitement of racing, the importance of aftercare, and the power of horses to change lives. I’m especially excited to welcome this year’s co-chairs, Dan Bullis and Dorothy Rogers-Bullis. They are respected leaders in the local business community, and their support brings even more heart and hometown pride to this special night.” Donna will be joined by co-hosts Laura Simiele, founder of Untamed Filly and Stars Aligned Stable, and Rachel Dunn of Sackatoga Stable and Stable Connect. Their shared commitment to the racing community and equine wellness brings added depth and purpose to the event. Guests will enjoy: A casual and insightful look at the 2025 Belmont Stakes field Handicapping education and racing stories Light fare, local beverages, and live music A silent auction benefiting THS’s equine-assisted therapy programs Tickets are $57 each, a tribute to the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. “We are proud to bring Embrace The Belmont back to the Saratoga Springs community during this exciting week for racing,” said Meg Koloskie, Communications and Development Manager at THS. “Thanks to Donna, Laura, Rachel, our incredible co-chairs Dan and Dorothy, and our generous sponsors, this event helps shine a light on the incredible ways horses can support people facing mental health challenges right here in our region.” We are proud to recognize our early sponsors for 2025:Adelphi Racing Club, Brookledge Horse Transportation, Brown Road Racing, Discover Saratoga, The Children and Horses Welfare Foundation, The Lazy Dog Cookie Company, Mark Thomas Mens Apparel, NLH Property Management, Rainbows End Racing Stable, Rood and Riddle, Sackatoga Stable, Ten Strike Racing Event Details:Date: Tuesday June 3 2025Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.Location: Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY Tickets and Information: https://thsaratoga.org/embrace-the-belmont Join us for an evening that celebrates the heart of racing, the power of horses, and the impact they have in our community beyond the track.