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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