That had to be one of the most amazing weekends that I ever experienced in my 31 years in horse racing.
It was an incredible honor to spend time with 23 of the greatest jockeys in the sport. 16 of them are Hall of Fame inductees...among their totals are: 95,639 winners, 22 Derbies, 2 Triple Crowns and 8 decades of riding the greatest horses in the world. We all came together to help support the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and the Racetrack Chaplaincy at the Dining With The Dynasty fundraiser held on the eve of the Million at the beautiful Arlington Park Racecourse.
Nancy LaSala, Executive Director of the PDJF and Tony Petrillo, VP of Arlington Park commissioned me to portray caricatures of the 23 legendary jockeys breaking out of the starting gate at Arlington. My painting titled "The Legendary Start" was reproduced as a commemorative art print which was autographed by the jockeys and was also included in the program featuring each legendary jockey. It was much fun watching the jockeys run around getting autographs from each other and exchanging stories from the past. The original painting was auctioned off at the luncheon by CBS sportscaster Howard Sudberry. Also, my video tribute of "The Jockeys" premiered at the fundraiser.
Thomas Allen Pauly's "The Jockeys" Video
I am very proud to be part of the PDJF family. It was founded in 2006 and it brings much needed financial assistance to a group of athletes who have given so much to the sport of horse racing. The PDJF is committed to working with both industry and medical research groups to improve the safety of both the human and equine athlete as well as medical research projects dedicated to reducing catastrophic injuries. ESPN video of the legendary jockeys signing theDWTD event posters.
Dave Erb (he starting riding during the Seabiscuit's years) & Pat Daysigning for hundreds of racing fans during the Arlington Million Festival.
Jan Hortyk & Stacy Burton in Arlington's paddock... Stacy suffered a severe brain injury in a terrible accident in 2000. She is one of 60 former jockeys that PDJF assists with their daily living. (I spent much time with Stacy & Jan, they are amazing people)
Thank you to Nancy LaSala, Tony Petrillo and all of the legendary jockeys who helped make this affair very successful... I am looking forward to the future projects that we have planned for the upcoming PDJF events.
Triple Crown champion Secretariat's jockey Ron Turcotte and Tom at the DWTD jockey reception
The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America jointly announce the expansion of the Dining With The Dynasty event to be held in the Governor's Room at Arlington Park on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009.
The Dining With The Dynasty, a ticketed luncheon event, affords event attendees a once in a lifetime chance to gather, dine and converse
with legendary jockeys from Thoroughbred racing's glorious past and who have created some of the most exciting moments in horse racing history.
The luncheon will feature many special events including both a silent & live auction for racing memorabilia and other classic items; legendary jockey autograph sessions and special appearances on both the day of the event and the following day, Sat., Aug. 8, which is Arlington Million Day will accompany the Dining With The Dynasty luncheon on Friday.
This year's luncheon will provide ticket purchasers with a unique chance to dine and share stories with 23 legendary jockeys. Scheduled to appear are: Stacy Burton, Jackie Fires, Dennis Keenan, Ron Turcotte; Braulio Baeza, Jerry Bailey, Walter Blum, Bill Boland, Don Brumfield, Angel Cordero Jr., Pat Day, Dave Erb, Earlie Fires, Julie Krone, Chris McCarron, Laffit Pincay Jr., Randy Romero, John Rotz, Jose Santos, Gary Stevens, Jorge Velasquez, Bobby Ussery and Ray Sibille.
Well known equine artist Thomas Allen Pauly is designing the event invitations, a collectible program with inserts that will feature each of jockey's biography and caricature. In addition, he is designing a limited edition collectible poster.
Tickets, which includes an extravagant food buffet, open bar and collectible program designed by Thomas Allen Pauly go on sale on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 for $300 online at the website of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund www.pdjf.org or can be purchased in person at Arlington Park in the administrative offices from Jody Musielak.
Tickets are expected to move fast as this event is limited to 100 attendees. Proceeds from the event benefit The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America.
For more information visit the websites of The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund www.pdjf.org; the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America at www.rtcail.org; Arlington Park's website at www.arlingtonpark.com or call Tony Petrillo at (847) 385-7755.
Mix and Mingle with Earlie Fires, Ray Sibille, Pat Day and More!
By Scott McMannis
Have you ever dreamed of spending a day at the races with 23 of the riding greats of the past?No, I don’t mean with you in the stands and them on the track.
I mean in a social setting, where you can meet and greet, mix and mingle, collect their autographs, and more, and for a good cause.Your chance at such a very special day is coming soon.
On Friday, August 7, ArlingtonPark is hosting a headline event to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America (RCA).Dubbed Dining with the Dynasties, the event will be held in Arlington’s Governor’s Room, a private facility on the west end of the third floor of the building with panoramic views stretching from the downtown Chicago skyline to the east, across the broad expanse of Arlington’s main track and turf course, out to the west over the barn area and beyond, as far as, well, the eye can see.
The exclusive event will be from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.There will be an open bar, and the first-class buffet will be from noon to 2:30.The afternoon will also include live auctions and silent auctions where you can bid on an array of racing memorabilia and related items, perfect to display in your office, den, or rec room.Autograph sessions are also scheduled.You will have ample opportunity to associate with, first hand, individuals who have been the elite of their profession, spanning decades.
Primary emcee for the event will be well-known Chicago sportscaster Howard Sudberry.Since coming to Chicago in 1984, Sudberry has been a fan of Chicago horseracing.
Highly-regarded Chicago-based equine artist Thomas Allen Pauly is creating the unique invitation package for this event.The collectible program features inserts containing each Dynasty jockey’s biography and caricature, perfect for autograph collecting.Pauly also is designing a limited-edition, collectible poster to commemorate this event.
Program Cover Art
By
Thomas Allen Pauly
“I’m thrilled to have been invited to be a part of this event,” revealed Pauly.“These jockeys have been heroes to me during my life as a racing fan.
“I’m really honored to design these keepsakes for this function,” continued Pauly.“In fact, my original artwork, which will be used to produce the invitation package as well as the commemorative poster, will also be auctioned off to raise money for the PDJF and the RCA.”Everyone will want to see the original artwork for the poster – it is two feet high and six feet wide and contains a caricature of all 23 jockeys.
Nancy La Sala, wife of jockey Jerry La Sala, is Executive Director of the PDJF and is on the board.“We held our first event like this last year, but it was on a much smaller scale,” she explained.“The RCA and the PDJF wanted to grow the event into something bigger this year, while still keeping the luncheon to an intimate size.
“After the exclusive luncheon there will be a public autograph session and more silent auctions from 2:30 to 3:30,” La Sala continued.“We will likely be at the bottom of the grand staircase, just inside from the statue of John Henry and The Bart.”
Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day, now retired, has been a national spokesperson for the RCA since 1984.“It has been a very important calling, one that has brought a lot of joy and fulfillment to me,” explained Day from his home in Louisville, Kentucky.
“Now, I am really looking forward to this event at Arlington,” Day continued.“With the RCA and the PDJF combining with ArlingtonPark, we are able to put together a grand event – what a splendid time it will be.Just think how miraculous it is to get these 23 people together, riders whose careers, collectively speaking, span five decades.Oh, we’ll have a great time, swapping stories, mingling with the guests, and reminiscing.Some of us have gotten together in the past, like for the recent race with retired jockeys at Santa Anita, but never on such a grand scale as this Dining with the Dynasties will be.”
In order to keep this event as personal and intimate as possible, while still achieving fund-raising goals, attendance will be limited to 100 fans.Tickets for this event, which are all-inclusive of the extravagant buffet, open bar, collectible program and poster, and access to the 23 featured jockeys, are $300.Proceeds go to benefit the PDJF and the RCA.The PDJF states that it is a registered, nonprofit, 503(c)3 public charity.Part or all of your contributions may be tax-deductible – consult your tax advisor.
In addition to Earlie Fires, Ray Sibille, and Pat Day, jockeys scheduled to appear are Jackie Fires, Ron Turcotte, Dennis Keenan, Stacy Burton, Randy Romero, Julie Krone, Jerry Bailey, Chris McCarron, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Jose Santos, Gary Stevens, Jorge Velasquez, Angel Cordero, Jr., Bobby Ussery, John Rotz, Dave Erb, Jean Cruguet, Bill Bolland, Walter Blum, and Braulio Baeza.Secure your tickets now
