The launch of the 2022 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge (BCCC), sponsored by the Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership, is at the post.
Established in 2019 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, the BCCC has raised more than $800,000 for local charities of each year’s Breeders Crown host track. In 2021, the challenge set a new event record, raising more than $400,000 for charities in The Meadowlands area (East Rutherford, New Jersey).
This year’s event is also shaping up to be something special.
The format showcases four teams, with each entry comprised of a prominent owner, their charity of choice and a Mohawk leading driver, competing to net the largest donation amount from a minimum pool of $200,000.
The four teams are listed below:
- Team Brad Grant/Doug McNair – Charity: Milton District Hospital Foundation
- Team Determination/Bob McClure – Charity: Kids Help Phone Line
- Team Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald – Charity: Pine River Institute
- Team Libfeld-Katz/Louis-Philippe Roy – Charity: Toronto General Hospital Heart Research Centre - SickKids Hospital Toronto
Each team has pledged $25,000, which guarantees their charity of choice a minimum donation in that amount. An additional $100,000 has been raised through donations made by industry participants. With a minimum $25,000 guaranteed to be directed to each charity, the additional monies will be decided through a Driver Challenge and Social Media Challenge.
“This is a great addition to an already exciting event,” said Bob McClure. “It’s one more thing that adds to the excitement of the Breeders Crown. I’m really happy to be part of it.”
A sentiment echoed by reinsman Doug McNair.
“I’m looking forward to teaming up with my fellow drivers to help raise money for some very worthwhile charities,” said McNair.
An amount of $50,000 will be distributed to the charities based on each driver’s performance in the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Lampman Cup standings. The team with the driver earning the most points in the OSS season will be awarded $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed as $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, based on each driver’s ranking in the standings.
An amount of $50,000 will be directed to the charities based on each team’s social media engagement. The team creating the most engagement by using their team hashtag will earn $20,000. The remaining $30,000 will be distributed as $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, based on each team’s engagement numbers.
The team hashtags are listed below. Supporters are asked to go on Twitter and use the hashtag of their favourite team and also include #CrownCharity22.
- Team Brad Grant/Doug McNair - #GrantUsVictory
- Team Determination/Bob McClure - #DeterminedToWin
- Team Steve Heimbecker/James MacDonald - #BeckerThanTheRest
- Team Libfeld-Katz/Louis-Philippe Roy - #MeetTheFieldofKatz
The 2022 Breeders Crown presented by Libfeld-Katz Breeding Partnership will take place on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
“We are looking forward to putting on a first-class event and making this year’s Breeders Crown one of the most memorable editions in its storied history,” said Jim Lawson, Woodbine Entertainment CEO. “From a world-class night of racing, to raising money and awareness for deserving charities, to the support of so many passionate and caring horsepeople, this year’s Breeders Crown is something we can all truly be proud of."
The Breeders Crown Charity Challenge would not be possible without the generous support of the following individuals and groups: Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld, Determination, Brad Grant, Steve Heimbecker, Bob McClure, Doug McNair, James MacDonald, Louis-Philippe Roy; Diamond Pledges: Alagna Racing, Bettors Delight Syndicate – Blue Chip Farms, Hanover Shoe Farms, Hunterton Farm, Southwind Farms, Lindy Farms, Brittany Farms, Muscle Mass – Bob Brady, Seelster Farms, Tara Hills Stud, Winbak Farm; and Additional Pledges: Carmen Auciello, John Bax, Cameo Hills Farm, Richard Moreau.
(With files from Woodbine)