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July 21, 2022
PRESS RELEASE ____________________________________
ELMHURST, IL-The Jockeys’ Guild, Permanently Disabled Jock-
eys Fund and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, in
conjunction with racetracks across the United States, announced
that riders competing on Saturday, July 30 (or another mutually
agreed upon date that week at racetracks not racing that day) will
pay tribute to National Disability Independence Day and to raise
awareness and funds for the PDJF. Last year’s event raised more
than $50,000 at racetracks across the country.
Jockeys at some 20 racetracks are expected to participate in var-
ious activities to support the PDJF while also saluting National Dis-
ability Independence Day, which marks the 32nd anniversary of the
passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Passed by Congress
in 1990 and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the
ADA banned discrimination based on disability in all parts of pub-
lic life while improving the quality of life immeasurably for mil-
lions of people with disabilities.
Most racetracks will host activities on Saturday, July 30 al-
though some racetracks that do not race on that day will be partic-
ipating on another date during the week. Fans should check with
their local racetrack for exact dates and events. Throughout the day,
fans and industry participants will be encouraged to contribute to
the PDJF at
PDJF.org. The PDJF is a 501(c)(3) public charity that
provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys
who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries.
“The PDJF welcomes teaming up with the Jockeys’ Guild and
NTRA to honor the passage of this very important piece of legis-
lation that has changed the lives for all Americans living with a dis-
ability,” Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund board president Nancy
LaSala said. “The lives of PDJF recipients are improved as a result
and for this we are very grateful.”
Racetracks and jockey colonies set to participate in the promo-
tion include: Arizona Downs; Colonial Downs; Del Mar Thorough-
bred Club; Delta Downs, Indiana Grand Racing and Casino, Mon-
mouth Park, Prairie Meadows, and Saratoga Race Course. A
complete listing of participating outlets will be released prior to
the event date(s).
“We thank the many jockeys from around the country for sup-
porting this effort to heighten awareness of the Americans with Dis-
abilities Act and assist in raising funds for the PDJF,” said Terry
Meyocks, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Jockeys’
Guild president and chief executive officer Terry Meyocks said.
Meyocks is also a member of the board of directors of the PDJF.
“We also are immensely grateful to everyone who contributes fi-
nancially to the PDJF.”
Jockeys Across America Benefit
Set for July 30
“He kind of woke up,” Plesa said. “I wasn’t scared of anybody
claiming him. And to be honest, I wasn’t sure he was worth $12,500
at that time. The rest is what you see on paper.”
Miles Ahead stamped himself as a solid $25,000 claimer and starter-
allowance horse and kept advancing last year: winning an allowance race,
narrowly losing a $60,000 handicap to the accomplished Diamond Oops,
then defeating that $1.4 million-earner while capturing the Smile. A trip
to Saratoga for the Grade 1 Vanderbilt didn’t work out, but Miles Ahead
came back and won the Dec. 4 Claiming Crown Rapid Transit under Paco
Lopez by a length-and-a-quarter ahead of Legal Deal. The Kentucky-bred
son of Competitive Edge started his 5-year-old season with two more vic-
tories, capped by the $150,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint before his sale.
“Some horses are just later developers,” Plesa said. “Was it a
case of him getting confidence in himself? Probably somewhat.
He’s always been a sound horse. He just kind of likes to be left
alone and do his thing, which we allowed him to do. It just got to
the point where he’d done as much as he could do in the starter
races and we needed to find out ‘Is he a high-priced claiming
horse? Or could he be something better.’ Each time we took him
out there, he did his job, ran hard to the point of where he’s at today.
Eric Hamelback, NHBPA CEO, said Miles Ahead epitomizes
what the Claiming Crown and the Claiming Crown Horse of the
Year were created to recognize.
“The committee zeroed in on Miles Ahead and felt as if the
horse and the connections were indeed the horse to be recognized
for their accomplishments,” Hamelback said. “We are pleased that
we can recognize and award a trophy to Miles Ahead at this year’s
TOBA awards ceremony.”
The 2022 Claiming Crown will be held for the first time at
Churchill Downs, its Nov. 12 date falling one week after the Breed-
ers’ Cup at Keeneland.
Miles Ahead
Continued from page 5
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