For the second consecutive year, Pimlico Race Course and the Maryland
Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer
organization, announced Monday a partnership to raise funds to aid awareness and
research to take place on Black-Eyed Susan Day, May 20. Seventy-five percent of
the funds raised will go to the Komen Maryland Affiliate to use for community
outreach programs in Maryland and 25 percent will be used for life-saving breast
cancer research.
In addition to the 87th running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) for
three-year-old fillies, the day will feature an encore performance by retired
female riders in the Lady Legends For the Cure Race II and a jockey challenge
with six of the top active lady riders. The Black-Eyed Susan will be broadcast
live on the Versus Network.
“We are pleased to partner with the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for
the Cure for the second straight year to fight breast cancer,” Maryland Jockey
Club president Tom Chuckas said. “The inaugural People’s Pink Party raised
$100,000 for Komen last year and featured the historic Lady Legends Race, one of
the highlights of Preakness weekend 2010. The eight retired riders created a
buzz around the track, generating interest and excitement that energized fans.
Switching the jockey challenge to an all-female format will add spark to the
Preakness Eve event. We look forward to another dynamic and worthwhile
Black-Eyed Susan Day and thank everyone for their support of an organization
truly making a difference in the lives of those impacted by breast cancer.”
The Lady Legends For the Cure Race II will feature the eight participants in
last year’s inaugural — winner Gwen Jocson, Andrea Seefeldt-Knight, Mary
Russ-Tortora, Mary Wiley-Wagner, Patti “PJ” Cooksey, Barbara Jo Rubin, Jennifer
Rowland-Small and Cheryl White — as well as Abby Fuller, who guided her father
Peter Fuller’s Hall of Fame champion Mom’s Command to victories in the 1985
Alabama S. (G1), Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Mother Goose S. (G1) and
Acorn S. (G1), among other races.
The 2011 race will include $20,000 in bonus prizes. In addition to her
earnings in the race, the winner will receive another $6,000. Prizes of $4,000
down to $1,000 will be awarded to the remaining participants based on order of
finish. Pimlico will match the amount wagered on the 2011 winner and make a
contribution to Komen Maryland.
The Jockey Challenge, featuring six of the world’s top female jockeys, will
span four races with points awarded based upon their finish. The jockey with the
most points at the end of the competition will be crowned champion. Riding
assignments will be determined by a drawing on May 15, and jockeys receive
points for finishing first (12 points), second (6), third (4) and fourth (3) in
each race. The champion jockey will earn $10,000, with prizes from $7,000 down
to $1,000 awarded to the second- through sixth-place finishers.
The six riders that agreed to take part are Vicky Baze, Forest Boyce, Rosie
Napravnik, Chantal Sutherland, English rider Hayley Turner and Emma-Jayne
Wilson.
“I am really looking forward to riding against the best girls in the world.
It should be competitive,” said Napravnik, who competed in last year’s challenge
against seven male riders. “When I hit the head of the lane next to a guy I am
very competitive but if it is any other female rider it is on. I don’t want any
girls beating me.
“I love riding at Pimlico. The one big race I want to win is the Preakness S.
(G1) because the track is home to me.”
All 14 Lady Legends and Jockey Challenge riders will take part in an
autograph session prior to the card.