Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association joined forces on Saturday evening, Oct. 14 at the Spa to sponsor a "Racing For The Cure" event.
Benefitting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the fundraising event was a shared effort between horsepeople and the casino to generate donations to the cause.
There were eight horses entered into race seven on the evening card in which all trainers and drivers agreed to donate their share of the purse money won to the fundraiser. Saratoga Casino Hotel matched the purses donated. After the race, horsepeople from the paddock joined race winner Prairie Fenway, driver Wally Hennessey and trainer Glenn Raia in the winner's circle for a blanket presentation in honour of the event.
Overall, 20 trainers and drivers generously pledged to donate all purses won for the entire evening to the fundraiser. In addition, a QR code in the live program enabled racing patrons and horsepeople not entered to race on Saturday to make a contribution to the fundraiser.
Altogether Saratoga Casino Hotel and Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association raised $7,500 for the Racing For The Cure cause.
Live harness racing continues on a Saturday through Monday racing schedule with a first post of 5 p.m. on Saturdays and a first post of 12 p.m. for the Sunday and Monday matinee cards.
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)