Pimlico Race Course

Gulfstream Park will provide a unique opportunity for all equine owners and enthusiasts to walk, canter, or trot their horses across the legendary South Florida track Saturday, Nov. 9 in the inaugural Canter for the Cause.

More than 170 riders from across the Mid-Atlantic region, ranging in age from 2 to 80, took part in the sixth annual Canter for the Cause at Pimlico Race Course June 2 to raise awareness and funds for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Sponsored by the Maryland Jockey Club and The Equiery, Canter for the Cause offered participants the unique opportunity to walk, jog, canter, or gallop their horses over the same Pimlico main track that has hosted such champions as Seabiscuit, War Admiral, Secretariat and recent Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify. Riders were also able to walk their horses through the starting gate and have their pictures taken in the Pimlico winner’s circle. Georganne Hale, Vice President of Racing Development for the Maryland Jockey Club, was pleased with both the turnout and the level of enthusiasm shown by all Canter for the Cause participants. “We had 12-hand ponies up to 18-hand horses. We had ex-jockeys, children, and businessmen and women riding. We had all breeds of horses. It was such a great variety of people and animals,” Hale said. “It was a great event, the weather was perfect, and riders were grinning and smiling when they pulled up. “It was great to see so many horse owners excited to ride on the historic Pimlico racetrack,” she added. “This even was on so many riders’ bucket list. I want to thank everyone who helped make this a successful event.”. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. The TAA is supported by owners, breeders, trainers, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry groups. Since 2012, the TAA has granted more than $13.8 million to accredited aftercare organizations, and more than 7,800 Thoroughbreds have been retrained, retired, or rehomed by TAA-accredited organizations. Currently, 70 organizations with approximately 160 facilities hold TAA accreditation.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will partner with Kentucky-based artist Ellen Skidmore and the Maryland Jockey Club to offer a limited-edition poster on Black-Eyed Susan Day May 17.

The Earle I. Mack Foundation will be the lead sponsor for the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes, held during the 2019 Preakness Weekend at Pimlico Race Course. Taking place on May 18, the Sir Barton Stakes will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and the Man O’War Project.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is partnering with StableDuel and friends of the Maryland Jockey Club to present the Best Turned Out Horse Awards on Preakness Day and Black-Eyed Susan Day at Pimlico Race Course.

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which has granted nearly $14 million to accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, will receive the Special Award of Merit May 16 at the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course.

America’s Best Racing’s sixth annual Pre-Preakness Party will be May 15, 2019, at the Mt. Washington Tavern in Baltimore with the support of returning event sponsor Sagamore Racing. Event benefits the TAA and Beyond the Wire.