Barry Pearl | Horse Racing Free Tips

New Officers for Jockeys and Jeans

Following the retirement of President Barry Pearl this summer, the Jockey and Jeans committee has elected new officers. Vice President Dr. Eddie Donnally, one of five former jockeys who founded the group, has been named interim president.

“I served as president the first year and it became obvious [Barry] Pearl possessed far superior organizational and sales skills than I,” said Donnally, “so I suggested the committee make him president. Calling him was easily one of the best decisions of my life and we can't thank him enough for his nine years of leadership and the thousands of hours he donated.”

Donnally, 80, holds a Doctorate in Ministry, is a former Eclipse Award-winning racing writer for the Dallas Morning News, is the author of three books, and serves part-time as a hospital chaplain in New Orleans.

In other updates, Maureen Brown has been named Vice President of Operations and will assist with the day-to-day tasks, while Kenny Katz will become the Head of Relationships with Hall of Fame Riders.

The all-volunteer group made Corey Johnsen its newest ambassador. He will join Brian Elmore, Executive Director of the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and Joe Morris, Vice President of Racing for Caesars Entertainment, as the three non-jockey ambassadors. Randy Sampson, CEO and Board Chairman of Canterbury Park, serves as a committee member.

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Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl Retires, Sandy Hawley Resigns

President of Jockeys and Jeans Barry Pearl has officially retired. The 76-year-old headed the annual event that has raised $3.1 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund in their nine-year history. A former jockey, Pearl later became the track photographer at Penn National Racetrack and then a top salesperson for West Publishing. He retired in 2009 and moved to Juno Beach Florida with his wife Dee.

Hall of Fame Jockey Sandy Hawley, who along with his wife Karou, oversaw relationships with Hall of Fame Jockeys has also resigned. Each year they arranged for some 12 to 16 Hall of Fame Jockeys to attend and honor their wheelchair bound “brothers and sisters.'”

“Barry has organizational and sales skills far beyond my gifting,” said Vice President Eddie Donnally. “We would never have had this level of success without him at the helm. He embraced the cause for aiding disabled former jockeys and for him Jockeys and Jeans was a full-time job for at least six months out of the last nine years.”

Pearl indicated he stay on as an advisor and help with the transition.

“I hope the PDJF will embrace Jockeys and Jeans and keep it going,” said Pearl. “In the last nine years, I have met so many great people, fallen riders, Hall of Fame members and folks that truly care about jockeys who are now riding wheelchairs. It's been a good run, but it's time for me to hang up my tack.”

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Jockeys and Jeans to Live Stream ‘Mattress Mack’ Speech Saturday

The ninth annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) will feature a live streamed speech from Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, the Jockeys and Jeans Person of the Year. The speech will be broadcast from Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas this coming Saturday, June 24, at 8:30 p.m. PT/11:30 p.m. ET on the Jockeys and Jeans Facebook page.

“Mattress Mack has always advocated for the safety of riders and horses and is one of very few who understands horse racing from the perspective of an owner, breeder, and bettor,” said Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl. “We believe he will be frank and also helpful in his assessment of the current state of Thoroughbred racing.”

With over 320 tickets already sold, a limited number of seats are still available by calling 855-234-7469 or purchasing online at ticketmaster.com. Single tickets are $125; VIP tickets are $250; and nine-person tables are $1,800 and include being seated with a Hall of Fame Jockey. All proceeds go to the PDJF.

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Mattress Mack Honored as Jockeys and Jeans Person of the Year

Jockeys and Jeans this year will hold its annual fundraiser at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jun. 24, and will honor Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale as its Person of the Year.

McIngvale is the owner of three Gallery Furniture stores in Houston and is internationally known for his business acumen, philanthropy, community involvement and success as a Thoroughbred owner and breeder as well a major bettor. The event will reunite McIngvale with Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado–one of 16 Hall of Fame members set to attend the event–who was was aboard Runhappy (Super Saver) for his win in the 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.

“Jockeys risk their lives every day they race,” McIngvale said. “And I think they need to be appreciated for the skills they bring to the sport. They make split-second decisions and are judged for those decisions. I think they deserve better medical care and should have a pension to help them after they retire like NFL players. I think they are racing's superstars.”

To date, the all-volunteer Jockeys and Jeans has raised more than $2.6 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), which pays a monthly stipend of $1,000 to 60 jockeys who suffered career-ending injuries. After the fundraiser this year, the group expects to raise more than $3 million.

“Mattress Mack is truly one-of-a-kind, and I believe his acceptance speech will be something the entire racing world will be eager to hear,” Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl said.” He is one of few persons who has been a successful Thoroughbred owner and breeder as well as a major bettor. He sees racing from a most unusual perspective.”

Space is limited, but tickets are still available for purchase by calling at 855-234-7469 or online at ticketmaster.com. Single tickets are $125 and VIP tickets are available for $250. Nine-person tables are $1,800 and include a seat with a Hall of Fame Jockey.
For more information contact President Barry Pearl or Eddie Donnally, Vice President and Marketing Director.

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