Belmont Child Care Association, Inc.’s Racing for the Children dinner and auction set for Thursday, August 24 in Saratoga

by The Belmont Child Care Association

The Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) will hold their annual Racing for the Children dinner and auction, “BCCA Can Do!”, on Thursday, August 24, 2023. The evening will begin at 6:30pm with a cocktail reception at The Adelphi Hotel, 635 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. Guests will then head to Universal Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St, Saratoga Springs, NY for the dinner and the live auction. The event will feature celebrity emcee Andy Serling, and celebrity auctioneers, Maggie Wolfendale-Morley and Tom Morley.

BCCA is honored to recognize Barbara R Banke as their 2023 Honoree for her efforts in advancing the quality of life for the children and families of Anna House and Faith’s House. Banke is the Chairman of the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors and the first woman to hold the position. She is a steward of The Jockey Club and a member of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, and Keeneland’s Advisory Board of Directors. Banke has also been a strong proponent of Thoroughbred industry safety initiatives, including the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, and the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) in 2020.

Banke is the Chairman and Proprietor of Jackson Family Wines. She is considered a top innovator and executive in the wine industry and has spent the last four decades leading the company she co-founded with her late husband, wine icon, Jess Jackson. When she is not sourcing new vineyard sites, Banke is active in Stonestreet Farm, the family's Lexington, Kentucky breeding operation, and in managing Stonestreet Stables.

BCCA will present the BCCA Humanitarian Award to LSU Stables for their incredible support of BCCA’s mission. For more than 50 years, Lawrence Sarf's F&D Reports provided his clients with hands-on expertise and knowledge with respect to financially troubled companies operating across numerous retail and wholesale segments. His unparalleled background afforded those clients with the time-sensitive intelligence needed to avoid costly bankruptcies. With Larry's extensive background and unique insights, he was coined the "best in the business". After 55 years, Larry sold F&D Reports in 2021.

The Sarf family has been in the horse racing business since 1987. Over the years, they have owned 15 horses and won 2 New York State Bred stakes: Quiet Ruler (2002) and The Mohawk (2003). In the 1990's, they won the Toboggan with Blare of Trumpets. LSU Stables recently won the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational with Far Bridge.

Two features of this year’s live auction experiences include: (i) a California Wine Country Getaway, courtesy of Cardinale Estate and Stonestreet Estate Vineyards. Head to Napa Valley with a 2-night stay at the private Cardinale guest house for 4 people and a series of private tours and wine tastings at Cardinale Estate and Stonestreet Estate Vineyards; and, (ii) a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Royal Ascot (2024), courtesy of Maggie and Tom Morley, and True Travel. Experience Royal Ascot from the exclusive Royal Enclosure with Friday and Saturday passes, three nights’ accommodation in West London, round-trip transfers from Heathrow Airport to your London hotel, and round-trip transfers from your London Hotel to Ascot.

The silent auction features a wide variety of priceless and unique items, including an authentic riding boot autographed by the 2023 Saratoga Race Course jockey colony! For the jewelry lover, a Tiffany & Co. key necklace is the perfect fall accessory. The timelessly elegant 18 carat rose gold pendant is the epitome of understated glamour.

All bidding will be handled online to provide our supporters with the opportunity to join the bidding anytime that is most convenient for them. Each bidder will receive notifications when making donations.

BCCA is offering an opportunity to Name That Trip as a part of our call-to-action, where donors will be able to sponsor a field trip for the children of Anna House or Faith’s House! Past field trips include visits to Radio City Music Hall, Broadway, Lincoln Center, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), and outings to museums. Donors will be recognized on social media and in BCCA's annual magazine, First Out of the Gate.

After only three years of operation, BCCA launched a school-age program at Faith’s House this summer and there is currently a naming opportunity available for the new school-age classroom at Faith’s House.

The mission of the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) is to provide a safe, supportive, and academically inspiring environment for the children of parents working in the Thoroughbred racing backstretch area located at New York's historic Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course.

We are committed to promoting early childhood education, molding young minds, and encouraging the fulfillment of dreams. Please visit us at www.belmontchildcare.org.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available for purchase at https://2023rftc.givesmart.com. To reserve your table, contact [email protected] on or before August 10, 2023.

Contact Joanne K. Adams, BCCA Executive Director, [email protected] or (516) 488-2103 for information regarding our programs and events.