The 2024 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge raised $420,963 USD through events leading up the championship races held last month at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Four tri-state charities benefitted from the challenge in which teams consisting of a driver, trainer, owner and influencer were grouped together to raise funds through various activities leading up to Breeders Crown night one on Friday, Oct. 25. Driver Grand Circuit points, online voting, a team influencer handicapping contest, an on-track charity race and onsite visit points were tallied to award the first through fourth spots.

The teams that participated and their designated charities were:

• SBH Health System, Bronx, NY, Yannick Gingras, Tony Alagna, Burke Racing/Weaver Bruscemi, Jenna Otten
• Friends of Union County, Dexter Dunn, Nancy Takter, Courant, Jessica Otten
• enCourage Kids, NY, Tim Tetrick, Ake Svanstedt, Bill Pollock, Mary McDermott
• New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, David Miller, Marcus Melander, Brad Grant, Dawnelle Mock

SBH Health System, Bronx and Team Yannick Gingras captured the top spot, earning 287.50 out of a possible 350 total points, which earned SBH $138,200 USD.

The New Jersey YMCA State Alliance came in second place and earned $86,375 USD thanks to a strong social media push by Team Tim Tetrick.

The enCourage Kids Foundation and Team David Miller finished in third place. Meadowlands Racetrack CEO Jeff Gural and his wife Paula generously matched the third-place donation winnings, giving the enCourage Kids Foundation $120,925 USD.

The recently formed Friends of Union County and Team Dexter Dunn finished the challenge in fourth place, earning $60,462.50 USD.

The Charity Challenge sponsors were Meadowlands Racetrack & FanDuel, Alagna Racing, Armitage Farm, Brittany Farms, Burke Racing & Weaver Bruscemi, Cameo Hills Farm, Anders Strom – Courant, Inc., Diamond Creek, Brad Grant, Hunterton Farm, Marvin & Lynn Katz, Kentuckiana Farms, M&L of Delaware, Melander Stable, Bill Pollock, Svanstedt Stable, Takter Stable, Dexter Dunn, Yannick Gingras, Todd McCarthy, Dave Miller, Julie Miller, Carter Pinske, Southwind Farms, Tim Tetrick, Lucas Wallin, Walnridge Farm and Scott Zeron.
 
The “Breedings for a Cause” breeding donors were Diamond Creek Farm (Sweet Lou, Downbytheseaside, Confederate), Walner Syndicate, Marvin Katz & Southwind Farm (Muscle Hill), Tactical Landing Syndicate, Blue Chip Farms & Chapter Seven Syndicate.

There was $15,000 USD also raised for the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital. 

To date, $1,929,473 USD has been raised for local organizations in need through the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge, created in 2019 by prominent owner Marvin Katz to help host tracks forge a bond with their regional communities while highlighting the benevolence of the harness racing industry.

(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack; Photo of representatives from 2024 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge winner SBH Health System, Bronx with Jeff Gural, Marvin Katz and Jason Settlemoir)