Justify rendering benefits nonprofit
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » This year’s Siro’s Cup gala, held on the eve of the Saratoga Race Course meet’s Opening Day, raised $269,000 for the Albany-based Center for Disability Services.
More than 1,100 people attended the event at Siro’s Restaurant, adjacent to the track.
Each year, renowned sports artist James Fiorentino provides a painting of a horse that’s given to the event’s honoree, which has included train-
ers such as Nick Zito and Todd Pletcher, and jockeys Angel Cordero Jr., Johnny Velasquez and Jerry Bailey.
This year’s Siro’s Cup tribute was a no-brainer — Triple Crown winner Justify and his jockey, Mike Smith, who dedicated their victories to the sport’s disabled riders.
Smith could not attend the gala because of his riding schedule, but was presented with the Justify painting last Sunday at the racecourse.
“Justify is an incredible athlete and a great looking horse as well, so he was very fun to paint,” said Fiorentino of Flemington, N.J., who specializes in water colors. “Knowing the original is in Mike Smith’s collection is also very exciting to me. I don’t think jockeys get enough credit as most people celebrate the horse, although deservedly so.”
Like most fans, he’s disappointed the champion 3-year-old is headed for early retirement, but understands the reasons for it perfectly well.
“You always want to see any athlete, and in this case Justify, keep on competing and wining races,” Fiorentino said. “It’s great for the fans and sport, but in this case you have to appreciate what the horse has already accomplished, which is amazing and also understand that the horse is injured. They’re doing the right thing. I choose to look at how amazing it was for him to win all three Triple Crown races. For me to capture that on paper the same year he did it is very exciting.”
An artist since childhood, Fiorentino has painted many of baseball’s all-time greats such as Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, and his work has been exhibited at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
A connection with former Yankee manager Joe Torre’s son, Mike Torre, led to Fiorentino’s involvement with the Center for Disability Services.
In 2004, he was asked to provide a painting of 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide for the Siro’s Cup benefit.
Fiorentino was at all three Triple Crown venues in 2003 -- Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course and Belmont Park -- to promote his 25th anniversary paintings of the great 1978 rivalry between Triple Crown winner Affirmed and Alydar.
“That year was the start of my love for racing and appreciation for how great of an athlete all jockeys are,” he said.
This was the 15th straight year he has provided racing paintings for the Siro’s Cup event.
“I’ve made it into a family trip with my wife and two boys, introducing them to the racing world,” Fiorentino said. “They just love it. Seeing the jockeys walk by and the horses is so exciting to them. I enjoy telling them about the history of the track and Saratoga. It’s like stepping back in time.”
Center for Disability Services spokesperson Anne Schneider Costigan praised Fiorentino’s commitment to the organization’s mission.
“James has been a big part of our fundraising success with the Siro’s Cup,” she said.
A limited number of prints of Fiorentino’s Justify painting are available for $50. For information call (518) 944-2121 or email: schneider@csdsny.org.
For information and to view more of his art see the website: www.jamesfiorentino.com.
On Saturday, Saratoga Race Course will unite with other tracks in a nationwide observance of Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund Day Across America. Fans may meet leading riders from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Jockey Silks Room porch. Autographs and photos will be available with a $5 suggested donation to benefit the fund.
Fans will also have the opportunity to play arcade games against jockeys for a $5 suggested donation. This event will be held from 1-3 p.m. on the Jockey Silks Room porch. Fans can win premium Saratoga prizes if they beat the jockeys at this horse-themed activity.
In addition, fans are encouraged to visit the Community Outreach Booth on the Silks Room porch to learn more about the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund mission of providing financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries.