Sponsorship Includes $50,000 Donation to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
BALTIMORE – The Maryland Jockey Club announced today that Sagamore Spirit has been named sponsor of the $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3), to be run Friday, May 20, and the $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3), to be run Saturday, May 21.
In conjunction with Sagamore Racing, Sagamore Spirit will present a check to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in the winner’s circle on Preakness Day in the amount of $50,000.
The Sagamore Spirit Pimlico Special is for 3-year-olds and up at 1 3/16 mile. Introduced in 1937 by Alfred G. Vanderbilt Jr., former president of Pimlico Race Course and Sagamore Farm, the Special has played host to many of racing’s biggest stars including Cigar, War Admiral, Seabiscuit, Citation, Invasor, Skip Away and Whirlaway. The Sagamore Spirit Maryland Sprint, for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs, was won last year by a 4-year-old gelded son of War Pass, Sandbar.
Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye Whiskey is an American whiskey with a unique mash bill and proofing process. The distilling team blends two different straight rye whiskies – a high rye and a low rye – and then adds spring-fed water, from Kevin Plank’s Sagamore Farm, to create an 83 proof Maryland-style rye whiskey. Sagamore drives this water 22 miles from the limestone spring at Sagamore Farm to their bottling facility at City Garage in Port Covington. 100 percent of Sagamore Rye is cut to proof with this distinct water.
“We are thrilled to be a part Preakness Day,” said Brian Treacy, President of Sagamore Spirit. “Together with Sagamore Racing, we are fortunate to be able to support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and all that they do to help Thoroughbreds as they retire.”
“We are honored and humbled at the generosity of Sagamore Spirit, Sagamore Farm and Kevin Plank,” said Jimmy Bell, President of the TAA. “Mr. Plank’s continued support of the TAA and the Thoroughbred industry is remarkable, and we’re extremely happy to be part of the Maryland Jockey Club’s historic Preakness Stakes.”
“The Maryland Jockey Club is honored to partner with Sagamore Spirit as sponsor of the historic Sagamore Spirit Pimlico Special and Sagamore Spirit Maryland Sprint,” said Sal Sinatra, President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club. “We’re looking forward to a great weekend of racing.”
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.
