Jockeys Across Country Pay Tribute To National Disability Independence Day, Fundraise For Permanently Disabled Jockeys

Jockeys at some 25 racetracks across America this Saturday will wear arm bands and participate in other activities to raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and raise awareness of National Disability Independence Day, which marks the 31st anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The ADA banned discrimination based on disability in all parts of public life while improving the quality of life for millions of people with disabilities. Most racetracks will host activities on Saturday and encourage fans and industry participants to contribute to the PDJF at PDJF.org. The PDJF is a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries.

Racetracks along with their jockey colony participating in the promotion this Saturday unless otherwise noted include: Arizona Downs (Monday, 8/2); Arlington Park; Canterbury Park (Sunday, 8/1), Colonial Downs Racetrack (Monday, 8/2); Delaware Park; Del Mar Thoroughbred Club; Delta Downs, Ellis Park, Emerald Downs; Evangeline Downs, Fan Duel Sports Book and Horse Racing (formerly Fairmount Park); Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack (Tuesday, 8/3); Golden Gate Fields; Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino; Harrah's Louisiana Downs, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races; Indiana Grand Racing and Casino (Thursday, 7/29); Los Alamitos Race Course; Monmouth Park; Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort; Penn National (Friday, 7/30), Pimlico Race Course; Prairie Meadows; Ruidoso Downs; Sam Houston Race Park; and Saratoga Race Course.

About the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) is a 501(c)(3) charity that currently provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Founded in 2006 by leaders in the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse industries, the PDJF has disbursed over $11.5 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. For more information and to donate, please visit www.pdjf.org.

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Jockeys and Jeans Sept. 11 at Monmouth

The annual Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser will be held this year at Monmouth Park on Sept. 11 with all proceeds going directly to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. In addition to honoring seven riders who suffered career-ending injuries, this year's fundraiser will also honor first responders on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Last year's fundraiser, scheduled to be held at Churchill Downs, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year's event will be special for several reasons,” said Barry Pearl, president of Jockeys and Jeans. “This promises to be a year of recovery for our nation, horse racing and its permanently disabled jockeys.

“Our event will present a unique opportunity to pay homage to racing's fallen heroes as well as our nation's 9/11 heroes. To do both at a single racing-related event is personally humbling and should make all in racing proud.”

The event's organizing committee is working with several New York-based 9/11 organizations to have first responders attend the event and be honored.

“We plan to make a donation to an appropriate charity that helps these brave men and women and the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Pearl.

Among the Hall of Fame riders slated to attend are Braulio Baeza, Bill Boland, Angel Cordero, Jr., Pat Day, Ramon Dominguez, Earlie Fires, Eddie Maple, Chris McCarron, Craig Perret, Don Pierce, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Jose Santos, Alex Solis, Jacinto Vasquez, Jorge Velasquez, Bobby Ussery and committee member Sandy Hawley. Also scheduled to attend are jockeys who suffered career-ending injuries, including Dennis Collins, Joe Hayes, Armando Rivera, Mike Straight, Ann Van Rosen, Sidney Underwood and committee member Roger Blanco.

The event begins in Monmouth Park's Turf Club at 11:30 a.m. Tickets cost $75 and may be purchased at seatgeek.com/monmouth. There will be a silent auction of racing-related memorabilia and autograph sessions throughout the day.

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Jockeys Across America To Salute National Disability Independence Day With PDJF Fundraisers

The Jockeys' Guild, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), in conjunction with racetracks across the United States, today announced that riders competing on Saturday, July 31 (or another mutually agreed upon date that week at racetracks not racing that day) will wear PDJF arm bands to pay tribute to National Disability Independence Day and to raise awareness and funds for the PDJF.

Jockeys at more than 20 racetracks will participate in various activities to support the PDJF while also saluting National Disability Independence Day, which marks the 31st anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Passed by Congress in 1990 and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the ADA banned discrimination based on disability in all parts of public life while improving the quality of life immeasurably for millions of people with disabilities.

Most racetracks will host activities on Saturday, July 31 although some racetracks that do not race on that day will be participating on another date during the week. Fans should check with their local racetrack for exact dates and events. Throughout the day, fans and industry participants will be encouraged to contribute to the PDJF at PDJF.org. The PDJF is a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries.

“The PDJF welcomes teaming up with the Jockeys' Guild and NTRA to honor the passage of this very important piece of legislation that has changed the lives for all Americans living with a disability,” said Nancy LaSala, Board President of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. “The lives of PDJF recipients are improved as a result and for this we are very grateful.”

Racetracks along with their jockey colony participating in the promotion include: Arizona Downs; Arlington Park; Canterbury Park, Colonial Downs Racetrack; Delaware Park; Del Mar Thoroughbred Club; Emerald Downs; Fan Duel Sports Book and Horse Racing (formerly Fairmount Park); Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack; Golden Gate Fields; Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino; Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races; Indiana Grand Racing and Casino; Los Alamitos Race Course; Monmouth Park; Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort; Pimlico Race Course; Ruidoso Downs; Sam Houston Race Park; and Saratoga Race Course.

“The NTRA is proud to join the Jockeys' Guild and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund in paying tribute to landmark civil rights legislation known as the Americans with Disabilities Act, which ensures that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as all Americans,” said Alex Waldrop, President and Chief Executive Officer of the NTRA.

“We thank the many jockeys from around the country for supporting this effort to heighten awareness of the Americans with Disabilities Act and assist in raising funds for the PDJF,” said Terry Meyocks, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Jockeys' Guild and a member of the Board of Directors of the PDJF. “We also are immensely grateful to everyone who contributes financially to the PDJF.”

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund (PDJF) is a 501(c)(3) charity that currently provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Founded in 2006 by leaders in the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse industries, the PDJF has disbursed over $11.5 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. For more information and to donate, please visit www.pdjf.org.

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PDJF Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser Set for Sept. 11 at Monmouth

Seventeen Hall of Fame jockeys–a list that includes former Monmouth Park leading riders Don Brumfield, Julie Krone and Craig Perret–will be on hand when the seventh annual Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser holds its annual event at Monmouth Park on Sept. 11. All of the proceeds from the event go directly to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

In addition to honoring seven riders who suffered catastrophic or career-ending injuries, this year's fundraiser will honor firemen and police officers on the 20th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center towers. Last year's Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser, scheduled for Churchill Downs, was canceled due to COVID-19.

“This year's event will be special for several reasons,” said Barry Pearl, president of Jockeys and Jeans. “This promises to be a year of recovery for our nation, horse racing and its permanently disabled jockeys. Our event will present a unique opportunity to pay homage to racing's fallen heroes as well as our nation's 9/11 heroes. To do both at a single racing-related event is personally humbling and should make all in racing proud.”

Pearl said the organizing committee is working with several New York-based 9/11 organizations to have first responders attend and to be honored.

“We plan to make a donation to an appropriate charity that helps these brave men and women and the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

Scheduled to attend from the Hall of Fame jockey ranks are: Braulio Baeza, Bill Boland, Angel Cordero, Jr., Ramon Dominguez, Earlie Fires, Eddie Maple, Don Pierce, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Jose Santos, Alex Solis, Jorge Velasquez, Jacinto Vasquez, Bobby Ussery and Sandy Hawley.

Also scheduled to attend are jockeys who suffered career-ending injuries, among them Dennis Collins, Joe Hayes, Armando Rivera, Mike Straight, Ann Van Rosen, Sidney Underwood and Roger Blanco.

The event begins in Monmouth Park's Turf Club at 11:30 a.m. Tickets cost $75 and may be purchased at seatgeek.com/monmouth. There will be silent auctions of racing-related memorabilia and autograph sessions throughout the course of the event.

Founded in 2014 by five former jockeys, this year's Jockeys and Jeans event marks the seventh fundraiser held at various tracks across the country. This will be Monmouth Park's first time hosting the event. The all-volunteer association has raised more than $1.6 million to date for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

“While we had to cancel last year's fundraiser, the PDJF payments and the needs by this special group of former jockeys went on,” said Pearl. “We're hoping and praying we can make up some ground and break the $312,000 we raised at Canterbury Park in 2018,” said Pearl.

For more information, contact Pearl at jockeysandjeans@gmail.com or call (717) 503-0182. For additional questions contact Eddie Donnally at Edjockeysandjeans@gmail.com, or by calling (818) 653-3711.

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