During the 4 1/2 year existence of the Paulick Report, we’ve had many highlights to celebrate. Breaking big news stories, bringing our readers rare access to behind-the-scenes action and overwhelming support from the industry we serve are all things we are very proud of over the years. But nothing quite compares to the rush and thrill (dare we say up our leg) we get from our annual Breeders’ Cup or Bust charity drive raising money for Breeders’ Cup Charities.

With this year’s Breeders’ Cup again at Santa Anita, Ray, Scott and I will be loading up a mini van thanks to the good people at Avis and heading out westward bound. Of course, I’ll be dusting off my old chops as a musical theatre actor and singer (hopefully) honoring our country at Keeneland, Remington Park and Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup with a bari-tenor rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Anyone who ever had a big dream in their younger years will understand what an awe-inspiring opportunity this is for a guy who in his heart would love to be singing eight times a week on a Broadway stage. Of course, I’m also incredibly blessed to be in the position I am having created and built the Paulick Report with Ray but old dreams do die hard.

Thank you to the Breeders’ Cup for agreeing to this endeavor once again and for having faith that I’ve “still got it.” Thank you to our title sponsor Daily Racing Form who will be giving a generous book of advertising to support our cause. And of course, thank you to our industry sponsors for stepping up and donating their hard-earned money. We shake our head in amazement at the support you have given us over the years and the charitable spirit of those who make this industry go.

We have three incredibly important charities we are supporting this year — Thoroughbred Charities of America, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Children Mending Hearts which is the Breeders’ Cup’s lead charity for 2012. Click on each of these deserving organizations to learn more about what they do and how they improve the lives of those around us.

If I can ask one favor of our readers, it’s that you click the link here to go to the Breeders’ Cup or Bust web page on BreedersCup.com and consider a donation. It’s a cliche but it also happens to be true — there is no such thing as a donation too small. If you can go without a cup of coffee for a day or two, drop $5 in the kitty. With our monthly audience of 70,000-80,000 unique visitors, imagine what we can do if everyone jumped in with this small donation. (It might cause a temporary drop in Starbucks revenue but we think they can handle it!)

The excitement begins tomorrow. We’ll be starting at Keeneland around noon with my first live performance in years! TVG is likely to carry this first attempt and of course we’ll have video up relatively quickly. Then it’s Friday at Remington Park, Saturday and Sunday along Route 66, Monday at Walkin N Circles Ranch, Tuesday in Vegas and with a Wednesday arrival in Arcadia.

We look forward to sharing our journey with you and hope to hear from you along the way. Below is a list of our sponsors so far. If you’d like to be added to this list, it’s not too late. Send me an email to brad@paulickreport.com or drop me a line at 502-644-1454.

Ashford Stud
Airdrie Stud
Bill Casner
Claiborne Farm
Cornett Advertising
Darby Dan
Darley
Del Mar
Dogwood Stables
Eclipse Thoroughbreds
Eddie Woods Stables
Equineline.com
Fasig-Tipton
George Strawbridge
Gulfstream Park
Juddmonte
Keeneland
Lane’s End
Mike Pegram Racing
Muirfield Insurance
Pin Oak
PM Advertising
Runnymede Farm
Tampa Bay Downs
Team Valor
The Bell Group
The Stronach Group
Three Chimneys
West Point Thoroughbreds