PDJF Day at Saratoga Race Course to Feature Jockey Dunk Tank

by Pat McKenna; Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will unite with racetracks across the country as part of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) Day Across America at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, July 29. 

The day's events will include a dunk tank fundraiser featuring top riders from the Saratoga jockey colony as well as a special meet and greet and autograph session. 

For a suggested donation of $10 a throw, fans will have the opportunity to support PDJF while soaking some of their favorite jockeys, plus NYRA racing analyst Andy Serling. The dunk tank will be located in the backyard near Dunkin' Donuts and the Spectrum News Gazebo from 1 to 3 p.m. 

Additionally, the jockeys will participate in an autograph session on the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Autographs will be available with a suggested donation to PDJF.

The Community Outreach Booth will host PDJF in honor of the day-long celebration at Saratoga Race Course. Fans are encouraged to visit the booth, which is located on the Jockey Silks Room Porch, to learn more about the not-for-profit organization's mission to provide financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries.  

Saturday will feature a blockbuster day of racing, highlighted by the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy, presented by NYRA Bets. The traditional prep for the Travers will for the first time include a matchup between the winners of the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Kentucky Derby champion Always Dreaming and Preakness winner Cloud Computing will break from the starting gate in the Jim Dandy at approximately 6:18 p.m. 

As Race 10 and one of four stakes races on the day's card, the Jim Dandy will anchor Saturday's "Saratoga Live" program, which will air nationally on Fox Sports 2 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The day's race card also includes the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam and the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green.

Saturday will also feature Taste NY: Food and Artisans, a lively on-track market where guests can sample and shop food and crafts in the Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market will be held each Saturday and Sunday of the 2017 meet. The event will be complemented by handicapping tutorials and racing tips from the Bets Squad, as well as the opportunity to learn more about NYRA Bets and NYRA XP, the all-new mobile app for Saratoga. 

ABOUT THE PDJF: 

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund mission is to promote awareness of the needs of permanently disabled jockeys through public advocacy; to provide financial support to permanently disabled jockeys to help defray everyday expenses associated with living with a catastrophic injury; to provide financial support and assistance in obtaining medical coverage for permanently disabled jockeys; and to promote medical research dedicated to reducing catastrophic injuries within the horse racing industry.