Jockeys vs. Horsemen charity hoops game
Charity contest to benefit Race Track Chaplaincy
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » A New York AllStar Charity Basketball Game pitting the Saratoga jockey colony vs. the horsemen they ride for will take place at the Saratoga Recreation Center, 15 Vanderbilt Avenue (off Lincoln) in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, August 3, at 7 p.m.
The game is a benefit for the Race Track Chaplaincy of America. The organization has served the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of those who work in the sport of horse racing for 45 years.
In 40 locations around the U.S., Chaplains, their staff and tireless volunteers have comforted, blessed, assisted, counseled and aided track workers. Virtually every day of the year, needs are met with great grace and love, by someone who cares. Everything from immigration work; bedding; clothing; housing; financial assistance; life counseling; and social needs-all fall under the umbrella of services offered by the Chaplaincy Program.
The New York Division of the Chaplaincy serves one of the largest population of clients, as Chaplain Humberto Chavez and his team cover all three of the NYRA tracks: Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct. In order to achieve so much for so many, funding is necessary.
While the NY Chaplaincy hosts several events during the year to raise funds for programs, on August 3rd in Saratoga, the organization will present a free basketball game, pitting some of horse racing’s most famous and beloved Jockeys and Trainers against each other.
Half-time raffles and other surprises are planned for attendees.
For more information, or to sign up as a sponsor, visit www.rtcany.org
Espinoza to sign autographs
Crafters Gallery in Saratoga Springs will offer an opportunity to meet Triple Crown winning jockey Victor Espinoza, jockey of American Pharoah, for a signing event on the eve of his induction into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame.
From 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday Espinoza will autograph items outside the gallery, weather permitting, located at 427 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The rain location will be inside the gallery.
Though the general public is welcome to watch, only those with tickets may get items signed. Tickets will go on sale at Crafters Gallery on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. Tickets will cost $50 per signature and individuals are limited three per person.
Photos will be available for purchase in the store.
Taps for Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
R.S. Taylor & Sons Tap Room is helping former racehorses by partnering with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation to launch a new “Community Tap” program. The taproom will donate $1 for every pint of its Belchertown Ale sold at its Saratoga Tap Room through the end of August to the TRF horses. A casual launch party to raise a glass for Thoroughbreds on will be held on Thursday, August 3. The festivities start at 7 p.m. with live music; the event is free and open to the public.
“This is not a one-time thing,” Kelley Taylor said. “We want this to be ongoing and we want to help a local non-profit every month. We had a lot of non-profits to choose from, but the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was our first choice because we wanted something that identified with the city. Horses and Saratoga are a perfect fit.”
The original brewery is located on Misty Bleu Farm in the Town of Hebron in Washington County, about 45 minutes east of Saratoga Springs. Both the original brewery and the taproom in Saratoga Springs will offer seven hand-crafted, English-style ales as well as a guest tap that will feature cider produced locally.