Sponsorship Includes $30,000 Donation to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
BALTIMORE – The Maryland Jockey Club announced today that Sagamore Racing will be the named sponsor of the $300,000 Pimlico Special Friday, May 15.
The Sagamore Racing Pimlico Special, contested May 15 for the 45th time, is for 3-year-olds and up at 1 3/16 miles. The race has a rich history of attracting some of Thoroughbred racing’s biggest names, including Seabiscuit, Cigar, War Admiral, Invasor, Real Quiet, Skip Away, Criminal Type, Assault and Mineshaft.
In addition to sponsoring the Pimlico Special, Sagamore Racing will present a check to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in the winner’s circle after the race in the amount of $30,000.
Located in Glyndon, Maryland, Sagamore is owned by Kevin Plank and is recognized as a premier breeding and training facility and the breeder of multiple graded-stakes winner Daring Dancer and the owner of graded-stakes winners Humble and Hungry and Millionreasonswhy and 2010 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Shared Account.
“It only seems fitting that Sagamore Racing, with its rich tradition, partner with the Maryland Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to sponsor the Pimlico Special, one of North America’s most celebrated races,” said Maryland Jockey Club’s Vice President and General Manager Sal Sinatra. “Kevin Plank’s generosity and initiative toward the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance shows his commitment to racing and the Maryland community.”
“We are pleased and honored to be part of such an incredible weekend for the state of Maryland as we continue our goal of promoting this great city of Baltimore through horse racing,” said Hunter Rankin, President of Sagamore Racing. “The Maryland Jockey Club and the TAA share our commitment to these beautiful athletes and we are proud to partner with them for the historic Pimlico Special race.”
Said Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance President Jimmy Bell: “What better way to continue raising national awareness and education than through Kevin Plank’s Sagamore Racing sponsoring one of America’s oldest and most prestigious races, the Pimlico Special. The leadership and true generosity from Kevin highlights the significance and importance of what the TAA initiative is all about. What an amazing partnership between Sagamore, Pimlico and the TAA. Hopefully this can become a model for even greater things to come.”
About Pimlico Race Course
Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing’s famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.
Pimlico Race Course is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry. For more information contact David Joseph at david.joseph@marylandracing.com or call 954.457.6451.
About Sagamore Racing
Sagamore Racing is a professional horse racing team based at historic Sagamore Farm in Glyndon, Md. Once owned by Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Jr., Sagamore Farm was developed into a world-renowned racing and breeding operation from 1933 – 1986. During that time, Sagamore became home and the eventual resting place of Hall of Fame horses Native Dancer, Bed o’Roses and Discovery. In 2007, Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank, a Maryland native, purchased the 530-acre farm implementing a long-term restoration plan with the mission to breed, raise and race Thoroughbreds at the sport’s highest level, while preserving its storied and rich tradition.
About Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
Based in Lexington, KY, the TAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to serve as both an accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers, and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities. Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is comprised of and supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. In 2013, TAA awarded $1,000,000 to 23 accredited organizations and gave out an additional $2,400,000 to 42 accredited organizations in 2014.
