GETTING LUCKY IN KENTUCKY? BC OR BUST DRIVE BEGINS AT KEENELAND
By Ray Paulick
With less than 24 hours to go before Brad Cummings and I make our first stop at Keeneland and then hit the road for two weeks on the BREEDERS’ CUP OR BUST FUNDRAISING ‘DRIVE’ to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and The V Foundation for Cancer Research, I’m having similar thoughts to the ones I had in August when I was packing for an 18-hour flight to Cape Town, South Africa.
Namely, I’m wondering about my sanity.
Two weeks in the car with someone you love is tough (ever take a long road trip with the wife and kids?), but two weeks with a business associate you don’t really know that well magnifies the differences several times over. We do have some similarities and share common interests: we’re both male, were born in Illinois and have a passion for horse racing. But I think that’s about it.
In Chicago terms, I was a Northsider and he was from the South Side. I’m a Cubs fan, he likes the White Sox. I’m a Democrat, he’s a Republican. Come to think of it, I may need to check to see if I’ve got enough frequent flyer miles in my account if I need to bail out.
So all those things are running through my head when I get an email from someone I’d never met who writes to say she is a cancer survivor and is sending a $2,000 donation to support these two causes. “I’m looking forward to following your cross country pilgrimage on TVG!” she added in her note.
That kind of encouragement will sustain us through some long days, short nights and bad food. Because, in the end, this venture isn’t about us but about playing a small part in helping fund vital cancer research and providing assistance to jockeys who have been injured to the point they are permanently disabled and unable to do the daily tasks that so many of us take for granted.
We’ll have a lot of people to thank along the way, and the donations and sponsorships are already starting to come in. If you haven’t done so already, please consider a donation to these charities through our partner on this journey, Breeders’ Cup Charities. You can access their secured online donation site here. If you are interested in sponsoring a segment of the drive, drop us a note at info@paulickreport.com.
In the meantime, you can follow us each day here at the Paulick Report or on our exclusive media partner TVG’s daily program “The Morning Line.” We’ll also be making some afternoon appearances to report on our progress.
If you’re in Central Kentucky, you can tune in tonight to Dick Gabriel’s “Sports Nightly” radio show (WLAP, 630 AM from 6-8 p.m.) to hear more about the BREEDERS’ CUP OR BUST FUNDRAISING ‘DRIVE.’ I’ll be a guest on the show shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday at Keeneland, I’ll be pitting my rusty handicapping skills against Tom Leach, the radio voice of the Kentucky Wildcats, in an effort by both of us to cash some tickets on behalf of these charities.
And if you’re at Keeneland tomorrow, the jockeys there have been kind enough to hold an autograph line to support this cause. From 11:30-12:30, you can buy a Breeders’ Cup hat or visor for $15 and receive all the autographs you want from your favorite jocks. All proceeds go to Breeders’ Cup Charities.
If you’ve got a sure-fire winner at Keeneland Wednesday, please submit a comment below.
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
Savvy businesses recognize value. Advertise in the Paulick Report.
Sign up for our Email Flashes to get the latest news, analysis and commentary from Ray Paulick
Tags: Brad Cummings, Breeders' Cup, breeders' cup or bust, Dick Gabriel, Keeneland, kentucky wildcats, permanently disabled jockeys fund, Sports Nightly, The Morning Line, The V Foundation for Cancer Research, tvg
October 27th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Great cause I wish you luck !!!
October 27th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
After your stop at Zia Park, I’ll take you guys to lunch. I know a place in Juarez that has 4 enchiladas for 75 cents.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
If you come through Hot Springs, Arkansas (which should be on everyones stop) we will take you to lunch (so I know you would have a couple good meals (including the Zia Park offer)…just look up up online at http://www.royalcourtequinectr.com just 9.5 miles off of I30 plus who wouldn’t want to see yet another son of A.P. Indy?
October 27th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
A sure thing at Keeneland? I haven’t see one of those since they took out that hardpan dirt road with the golden rail.
Good luck and safe travels.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Guess you still did not read about artemisinin curing cancer. If artemesisin in Novatris Coartem cures cancer there is no need for cancer research since the cure exists. My mother and 2 uncles died from cancer and I would not donate 2 cents to that so called “vital research” if I was a billionaire.
October 27th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
The Horses…
I sympathize with you on the loss of your mother and two uncles. There’s often a great deal of anger resulting from the loss of loved ones. Medical research is a complicated issue that I leave to the science and medical communities. I firmly believe they have our best interests at heart and represent the best hope to solve some of these serious diseases.
Ray Paulick
October 27th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Thanks for what your are doing Ray. If the company gets tiresome rely on the iPod headphones.
I bet you’ll get along great.
October 27th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Anyone wanna bet this will end up like “The Out Of Towners,” with Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis?
(Just kidding. Good luck!)
October 27th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Actually, considering your political differences, this will be James Carville (Clinton Democrat) and Mary Matalin (Bush Republican)…On The Road Again.
Bring along that Canned Heat CD!
October 27th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Ray,
By the time you are finished, Brad will be donating to the Obama 2012 re-election campaign. He’s already turned on David Williams. It is only a matter of time until he sees the light.
Good luck and bon voyage,
BTA
October 27th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
You’ll have a trip to remember for a lifetime. The small tracks of our sport deserve a bit of Kentucky recognition, respect and support. The trip is a great idea, and the concept is well done. Have a ball.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I’m just happy there is not a third wheel going who happens to be a registered independent.
Have a great time guys. You’re living the life! Well not really, Sheik Mo is, but you get the point.
PTP
October 27th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
and the dems/rep system is working like a charm.
nothing like staying in a rut…
maybe if they had an indy, tough questions would be asked on the road.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Silver Time in the 8th today, Ray!