Early results are in for the ninth annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on June 24: in 2023, the event raised a record of at least $400,000. The previous record was $340,000; raised last year at Churchill Downs. The event brings the total raised by the group to $3.1 million, including the $110,000 raised during the 2022 stallion season sale. Jockeys and Jeans is an all-volunteer group started in late 2014 by five former jockeys.
“It is impossible to sufficiently thank all the staff who at the beginning promised to 'Vegas-Size' the event,” said Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl. “They absolutely did. It was professionally choreographed and staged. From the lighting to the sound effects to the special guests and our speaker, it represented the apex of our development.”
A record of over 300 attended in one of the resort's largest ballrooms with 11 jockeys who suffered career ending injuries and 13 Hall of Fame riders coming separately from behind curtains to take the stage as the Ben Hur theme song heralded their arrival.
An anonymous donor left a check for $50,000. Caesars Entertainment presented a check for $30,000, the Indiana HPBA, led by Director Brian Elmore, contributed $25,000 and Canterbury Park's CEO Randy Sampson accounted for $17,500 in donations.
Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, personally greeted the Hall of Fame jockeys as well as former riders now in wheelchairs at a party the company sponsored the previous evening. At the event, Reeg spoke of beginning his career in wagering growing up near the former Arlington Park Racetrack where he bet on jockeys Pat Day and Earlie Fires, both Hall of Famers who attended the event.
Famous entrepreneur, philanthropist, horse owner, breeder, bettor and major PDJF donor Jim” Mattress Mack” McIngvale accepted his Person of the Year Award and spoke passionately about jockeys. He termed them “horse racing's stars” and called for their having nationwide Workers Compensation Insurance and for horse owners to finance better injury insurance, retirement benefits and funds for severely injured riders.
“Racing Rachael” McLaughlin kept the event lively as its MC. Attendees included singer/songwriter Clint Holmes and actors Charles Mark Whitefield and Vince Van Patten. Las Vegas local Leonard Eckhaus introduced renowned singer Giada Valenti who sang for the audience, and Louisville Kentucky based comedian Mark Kline provided a set at the event. He was also the live auction auctioneer, where the sales topper was a Churchill Downs donation of a box of six on both the days of 1923 150th Kentucky Oaks and Derby that sold for $17,000.
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