Keeneland and Horses and Hope, an initiative created by Kentucky’s First Lady Jane Beshear, are teaming up this Thursday to increase awareness and raise money for breast cancer screenings—all while enjoying a day at the races.
Horses and Hope is collaboration between the First Lady’s Office and the Kentucky Cancer Program. The goal is to work with the state’s equine industry to provide breast cancer awareness, education and screening services to the uninsured women and men of the horse industry.
Keeneland’s Pink Day will culminate with the second running of the Horses and Hope allowance race, the eighth race on the card, with a post time of approximately 4:35 p.m. The First Lady, along with survivors and members of the Horses and Hope Stable Steering Committee will be on hand to present the trophy to the winning connections. Keeneland, Horses and Hope and Markey Cancer will host a luncheon for breast cancer survivors in the sales pavilion prior to the races. Embry’s, a Lexington-based ladies clothing retailer, is gifting each survivor with a specially designed pink pashmina-style wrap. The wrap also is being sold at the Keeneland gift shop and Embry’s store in the Lansdowne Shopping Center for $15, with all proceeds going to Horses and Hope.
Keeneland’s other Pink Day festivities include:
· Luncheon in the Sales Pavilion, including remarks from First Lady Jane Beshear and Keeneland President Nick Nicholson
· Handicapping seminar, hosted Jennie Rees, longtime turf writer for The Courier-Journal and co-founder of FATE-Females Are Thoroughbred Enthusiasts
· Prize drawings
· A ladies-only handicapping contest on races three thru nine; cost is $10 per entry and all proceeds go to Horses and Hope
· The Pink Ribbon, a signature cocktail created by Grey Goose Vodka available in all dining rooms. Proceeds from drink sales benefit Horses and Hope.
· Breast cancer survivors in the Paddock Area immediately following the first race for a group photo