1ST Racing
All Posts & News Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Supporter Features Inspector Spotlights Previous Post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Successful Week at Preakness Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Successful Week at Preakness FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2024 News Tags:1ST, 1ST Racing, ABR, ABR Pre-Preakness Party, Auction, Black-Eyed Susan Day, Hallway Feeds, Maryland Jockey Club, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Paragon Farms, Preakness, Preakness Party, Preakness Stakes, Silent Auction LEXINGTON, KY â Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance enjoyed a successful week in Maryland during the Preakness celebrations, promoting awareness for accredited aftercare through various on-site activities at Pimlico Race Course and seeing an excellent turnout for Americaâs Best Racingâs Pre-Preakness Party. With combined efforts from 1/ST RACING, Maryland Jockey Club, and Americaâs Best Racing, accredited aftercare was effectively highlighted throughout the week. The 9th annual Americaâs Best Racing Pre-Preakness Party, held at Mt. Washington Tavern on Wednesday, May 15, marked the beginning of the weekâs festivities. Proceeds from the event supported Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation. Additionally, the event raised awareness for The Ed Brown Society. With strong support for these causes and an excellent turnout, the evening was a notable success. On Thursday, May 16, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance attended the 149th Preakness Stakes Alibi Breakfast. Beverly Strauss, co-founder and Executive Director of MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, was honored as the Postmaster for Preakness 149. MidAtlantic Horse Rescue is among the 86 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organizations. Stacie Clark Rogers assisted in presenting Strauss with the Honorary Postmaster award, during which Strauss emphasized the importance of accredited aftercare in her speech. âAs an advocate for the welfare of Thoroughbreds, I am deeply honored to be recognized as the Postmaster for Preakness 149,â said Beverly Strauss. âAccredited aftercare is not just a cause, but a commitment to the well-being of these incredible horses beyond the racetrack. We must continue to champion their care and support their transition into second careers.â During the weekend of racing, the Maryland Jockey Club and 1/ST RACING supported Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with named races on the undercards. After each named race, the winners were presented with a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance branded gift bag and a blanket sponsored by Fenwick Equestrian and Dean Dorton. On Black-Eyed Susan Day, Friday, May 17, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance presented Race #6. The winning horse, #7 Eff Thirty Five, was trained by Brittany Russell, ridden by Luis Saez, and owned by The Elkstone Group LLC. Additionally, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance presented Race #9 sponsored by Hallway Feeds. The winning horse, #6 She Feels Pretty, was trained by Cherie DeVaux, ridden by John Velazquez, and owned by Lael Stables. On Preakness Stakes Day, Saturday, May 18, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance presented Race #10, the Sir Barton Stakes sponsored by Brandon and Diannah Perry. Paragon Farms, founded by Thoroughbred owners and breeders Brandon and Diannah Perry, are dedicated supporters of accredited aftercare. This year marked the culmination of a three-year sponsorship with Paragon Farms, annually donating $100,000 to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as the title sponsor of the Sir Barton Stakes. The winning horse, #5 Corporate Power, was trained by Claude (Shug) McGaughey, ridden by Javier Castellano, and owned by Courtlandt Farm. âParagon Farms is deeply committed to furthering the vital mission of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance through our sponsorship of the Sir Barton Stakes,â expressed Brandon and Diannah Perry. âWe consider it an honor to support these remarkable Thoroughbreds, bringing joy to everyone in the racing industry, as they transition to life beyond the track.â On both Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness Day, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance hosted the Best Turned Out Awards in the Pimlico Race Course winnerâs circle for each race sponsored by Hallway Feeds and Fidelity First. âHallway Feeds recognizes the significance of supporting these athletes both during their racing careers and in their retirement or second careers,â stated Anthony Koch, Hallway Feeds, Director of Sales & Marketing. âThis past weekend provided an excellent platform to highlight the crucial role of accredited aftercare and the impactful mission of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.â As part of the âOff to the Racesâ campaign earlier this year, the winners of the Preakness VIP Experience package joined Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for an exciting weekend of racing. This experience was generously donated by Maryland Jockey Club and 1/ST RACING. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance also staffed a booth where race enthusiasts and participants had the opportunity to discover more about accredited aftercare. In exchange for donations, visitors could acquire branded merchandise and race memorabilia to take home. âAs we conclude Preakness 149, Maryland Jockey Club and 1/ST RACING are thrilled to have once again had the involvement of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,â said Mike Rogers, 1/ST RACING Executive Vice President and Maryland Jockey Club Acting President and General Manager. âTheir presence throughout the week has underscored our commitment to the welfare of these incredible equine athletes, both on and off the track. We thank race fans for their support and look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in the future.â About Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Based in Lexington, KY, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breedersâ Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $31.9 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 86 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org. Contact Samantha Smith 859-224-2882 ssmith@thoroughbredaftercare.org Emily Dresen 352-362-6934 edresen@thoroughbredaftercare.org Share This Release
Read More >