(GARDEN CITY, NY) – The Charitable Impact Group (CIG) will host the second annual “Run For Glory” Belmont Stakes Handicapping Event at Cherry Valley Country Club in Garden City, New York, on Wednesday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. Thoroughbred Charities of America, the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, and the Belmont Child Care Association will be the co-beneficiaries of the event this year.
NBC sportscaster Kenny Rice and NBC reporter and analyst Donna Barton Brothers will emcee the event featuring expert handicappers including NBC racing analyst Randy Moss and Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper Mike Watchmaker. Also scheduled to attend the event are jockeys John Velazquez, Javier Castellano, Joel Rosario, Jose Ortiz, and Triple Crown winner Jean Cruguet, among others. Trainer Todd Pletcher will offer his insight into preparing for and competing in the third jewel of racing’s Triple Crown.
Tickets are available at https://www.cigevents.org/ and include live music by popular Irish-American folk band Harpers Ferry, cocktails, passed and stationed hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, as well as incomparable and entertaining stories from many of the top riders and trainers in the racing industry.
The Charitable Impact Group, a non-profit organization, was established in 2014 to create awareness of and financially support charities committed to the welfare of equine and human athletes within the Thoroughbred industry. “Through our Derby, Belmont and Breeders’ Cup handicapping events, in partnership with DRF and the NBC racing team, we have been able to raise and donate over $300,000 to the jockeys and horses that make this beautiful and demanding sport so special,” said CIG President Peter Hester, MD. “We like to believe that we have, more importantly, created a much-needed awareness of these brave and bold athletes when they are injured or when their racing careers end.”
Thoroughbred Charities of America’s mission is to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers, by supporting qualified repurposing and retirement organizations and by helping the people who care for them. TCA distributes grants to several categories of Thoroughbred-related non-profits including rehabilitation, retraining, rehoming and retirement organizations; backstretch and farm employee programs; equine-assisted therapy programs; and research organizations. Since its inception in 1990, TCA has granted over $23 million to more than 200 charities.
The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity providing financial assistance to 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Founded in 2006, the PDJF has disbursed more than $9 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. The Fund is a cooperative effort among racetracks, jockeys, horsemen, owners and racing fans.
The Belmont Child Care Association provides a safe, supportive, and academically inspiring environment for the children of the backstretch workers at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course. We are committed to promoting early childhood education, molding young minds, and encouraging the fulfillment of dreams.
