Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) announced today that $7,520 was raised as a result of the I’ll Have Another Pedicure Fundraiser conducted during Belmont Stakes week.

The fundraiser grew out of a challenge involving purple pedicures among a few friends on Twitter. Patti Davis, a Thoroughbred owner and turf writer from Chicago and Jen Roytz, the Director of Marketing and Communications at Three Chimneys Farm spearheaded the initiative that encouraged others to paint their toes purple as a show of solidarity for I’ll Have Another’s Triple Crown bid. The fundraiser took shape when Mr. and Mrs. Reddam, Doug O’Neill’s Team and Mario Gutierrez pledged to donate $20 to Thoroughbred Charities of America for anyone who donned a purple pedicure and posted a photo of the pedicure on the I’ll Have Another Pedicure Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/IllHaveAnotherPedicure, by midnight on June 9.

Three hundred seventy six pictures of purple pedicures were posted on the Facebook page raising $7,520 for TCA.

“TCA greatly appreciates the support from everyone involved in the fundraiser. From Patti and Jen’s unique and creative idea; to the Reddams, Team O’Neill and Mario Gutierrez for pledging $20 to TCA for each pedicure; to the 376 men and women who posted photos – thank you,” said Erin Crady, Executive Director of TCA.

TCA’s mission is to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers by supporting retirement, rescue and research and by helping the people who work with them. Over the past 21 years TCA has distributed over $18 million to more than 200 accredited charities that work to fulfill TCA’s mission. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). For more information please visit www.tca.org.