By Ray Paulick

While the BREEDERS’ CUP OR BUST fundraising drive has reached the end of the road in Arcadia, Calif., it’s not too late to donate. Please click here to send a tax-deductible donation to Breeders’ Cup Charities. All proceeds will be divided evenly between two vital organizations: the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

This cross-country journey to raise awareness and money for PDJF and the V Foundation would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of many individuals and organizations, beginning with Breeders’ Cup president Greg Avioli and members of his staff. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Gerard Cunningham, president of Betfair USA/TVG, the racing network and account wagering service that has been instrumental in promoting the 10-day tour as our exclusive media partner on this venture.

Keeneland, Hawthorne, Remington Park, Zia Park, the Wynn Hotel Las Vegas, and Oak Tree/Santa Anita rolled out the red carpet and made us feel welcome in our stops along the way. Each track promoted the fundraiser with special events, and did so on relatively short notice, and we thank them for that. Scott Wells and his team at Remington Park, along with horsemen, jockeys and fans at the Oklahoma City track, and especially Remington’s new owners, Global Gaming Solutions, deserve special recognition for their extraordinary efforts in fundraising and FUNraising (if you saw the video of me and my Paulick Report partner, Brad Cummings, participating against Remington Park’s jockeys in a “hippity hop” race on bouncing rubber balls, you’d know what I mean).

Nancy LaSala, the executive director of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, was extremely helpful in opening doors for us and letting us get to know some of the recipients of the PDJF’s benevolence. We are grateful for meeting the likes of Dennis Keehan, Jo Hayes, Stacy Burton and Michael Straight, who with his family are in the early stages of dealing with a tragic racing accident. LaSala is a tireless advocate for these disabled athletes, many of whom feel abandoned by an industry they love.

Finally, we would like to thank all of those who made contributions, no matter how small or large, to Breeders’ Cup Charities or directly to the PDJF or V Foundation as a result of the BREEDERS’ CUP OR BUST fundraising drive.

As a result of their generosity, we are pleased to say that $75,000 has been raised for the two charities.

Those sponsors and contributors are listed below (a number of them asked for anonymity).

SPONSORS
- Barry Irwin/Team Valor International
- Bill Casner/WinStar Farm
- Bill Young family/Overbrook Farm
- Bob Baffert
- Brereton Jones/Airdrie Stud
- Cot Campbell/Dogwood Stable

- Darley America
- Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
- Global Gaming Solutions/Remington Park
- Kate Lantaff/Tahoma Stud
- National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protection Association and the following affiliates and officers (Arizona, Arkansas, Charles Town, Finger Lakes, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Mountaineer Park, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Robin Richards, Tampa Bay, Virginia, Washington).
- Penn National Gaming/Zia Park

- Rick Porter/Fox Hill Farm
- Robert and Blythe Clay/Three Chimneys

- Suffolk Downs

- Terry Finley/West Point Thoroughbreds

- Tommy Simon/Vinery
- TVG
- Will Farish/Lane’s End Farm
- Wynn Hotel Las Vegas

CONTRIBUTORS
-Ace and Rancy Hare
-Anne Faulconer
-Carol Ricks
-Cesar Benavides
-Chris and Hillary Hartman
-Danny Caldwell
-David Ashforth
-Dana Byerly
-Danny and Sabina Pish
-Diana Phipps
-Donald Reed
-Donald Veronneau
-Dr. Robert H. Zoellner
-Duane and Joyce Salisbury
-Dustin Orona Photography
-Eric Clemenic
-Eugene G. Kershner
-Francine Rose
-Gary Thomas
-Gina Peters
-Glen and Joy Murphy
-Grace Sheehan
-Heidelberg Family
-Heritage Place
-Jeffrey Lewis
-Jeff True
-JoAnn Adams, Duane Harrel and Jimmy Harrel
-Joan Fiedler
-Joe and Hazel Lucas
-Joe and Karen Offolter
-John McEvoy
-John Roach
-Kenneth Meng
-Kenny and Sally Nolen
-Linda Jahn
-Lynda Tanner
-Margaret Burlingham
-Mark Sommers
-Mary Schweitzer
-Michael Sheridan
-Michael “Roxy” Roxborough
-Mohammed Sayed
-Noelle Driscoll
-Oklahoma Thoroughbred Association
-Pasquali and Palumbo Law Firm
-Patricia Clark
-Patricia A. Mulderig
-Paul Hasken
-Petalino Racing Stable
-Randy Morse
-Randy Patterson
-Remington Park Jock’s Room
-Remington Park Jockey’s Agents
-Richter Family Trust
-Rob Whiteley
-Robert Penchina
-Robyn Roach
-Roger Engel
-Ronald Gibson
-Rusty Roberts
-St. Philip Neri Church and School
-Stephen Husberger
-Steve and Julie Asmussen
-Susie Sourwine
-Terry Edwards
-Thomas Jenkins
-Thomas Pauly
-Thomas Squires
-Tim and Terry Doocy
-Tommy and Claire Page
-Von Hemel Family
-William Huntington
-William Landes

Thanks to one and all for their generosity and for showing that this truly is an industry that cares.