SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will celebrate women and their contributions to the thoroughbred industry while raising funds to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) during Fabulous Fillies Day on Thursday, August 13 at Saratoga Race Course.
The celebration will be highlighted on-track with decorative pink bunting and flowers, the iconic Sea Hero statue in the paddock will be draped with a pink horse blanket, and all New York Racing Association staff members will wear pink ribbons. Additionally, all jockeys riding in the day’s card will wear pink armbands to commemorate the occasion.
Fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support for breast cancer awareness. Guests will have the opportunity to make monetary donations to the BCRF at numerous areas throughout the track during the day. Guests who donate will receive a free pink breast cancer awareness wristband.
The NYRA Community Outreach Booth will host Floydwarriors.com, an online organization dedicated to supporting and inspiring individuals and families from the Capital Region who have been recently diagnosed with cancer. Designed to relieve the burden of day-to-day tasks and provide support to those undergoing cancer treatment, Floydwarriors.com gives those battling cancer the opportunity to request help for housekeeping, meal delivery, childcare, and other daily needs.
The centerpiece of the day-long affair will be the sold out Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon presented by Escada and Moet & Chandon in the At the Rail Pavilion. Guests will enjoy a champagne reception at 11:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. featuring Jackson Estate wines and will also have the opportunity to shop at the Escada boutique.
This year’s luncheon is in honor of Barbara Banke, owner of Stonestreet Farms and Chair and Proprietor of Jackson Family Wines. Stonestreet Farms, which is located in Kentucky, produced Horses of the Year Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, as well as Eclipse Award winner My Miss Aurelia. A breast cancer survivor, Banke serves as a global ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Ms. Banke will be presented with a Longines watch by NYRA CEO and President Chris Kay at the event.
The luncheon will feature guest speaker Larry Norton, MD, leading the discussion Breast Cancer: How We Are Winning the Race. Currently the Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Medical Director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center, Dr. Norton has served as Scientific Director of BCRF since its inception in 1993.
All proceeds from tickets sales benefit BCRF through Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New Technology, Knowledge), a grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research by creating and promoting awareness of the disease through sporting and lifestyle events. The organization is committed to contributing 100% of all funds raised to its sole beneficiary, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. In 2013, Play for P.I.N.K. donated $4.25 million to BCRF for a cumulative total of $34 million. For more information, visit www.playforpink.org.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) advances the world’s most promising research to eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime. Founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, BCRF has raised more than $500 million to fuel discoveries in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, survivorship and metastasis. This year, we invested $45 million in the work of more than 200 researchers at leading medical institutions across six continents. By spending 91 cents of every dollar on research and public awareness, BCRF remains one of the nation’s most fiscally responsible charities. We are the only breast cancer organization with an “A+” from CharityWatch, and have been awarded a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator 12 times since 2002. Join us at www.bcrfcure.org.
The 2015 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. For more information, call 518-584-6200 or visit nyra.com.