Derby Post Position Draw and Award Ceremony Honoring Louisiana Native Among the Highlights of Week

For Immediate Release March 22, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT: The Estopinal Group Carey Jiran Ph: 504-269-9233 Cell: 561-358-4398 [email protected]

New Orleans, LA - March 22, 2010 - Louisiana Derby Week activities kicked off today at the New Orleans , the third-oldest facility in the nation. Following the annual Louisiana Derby Post Position Draw, the Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation announced that two-time winner and Louisiana native Calvin Borel will receive the 2010 Bill Hartack Memorial Award at the Foundation's Reception and Award Ceremony on Thursday, March 25th.

Co-hosted by the Fair Grounds, the reception will take place from 7-9 p.m. on the 4th Floor of the Fair Grounds Clubhouse. Several renowned jockeys and previous winners of the George Woolf Memorial Award will be in attendance to celebrate Calvin's honor, including , Ray Sibille and Mark Guidry. A silent auction featuring a collection of sports memorabilia, including several horse racing items signed by Borel, will help support the Foundation's philanthropic efforts.

Tickets are $100 per person and tables of 8 are available of $1,200. Proceeds from the event and silent auction will benefit The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, which provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries.

Calvin Borel, a Louisiana household name and hero, will be honored for his achievements and victories in Thoroughbred racing. Borel won the Kentucky Derby in 2007 aboard and again in 2009 on . The 2009 win was an especially momentous occasion in Thoroughbred racing as Borel rode Mine That Bird to victory despite 50-1 odds, the second-longest shot to win in Kentucky Derby history.

"Calvin is one of the most highly admired jockeys in today's racing industry," said Michael Stidham, Fair Grounds-based horse trainer and founding member of the Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation. "He is an extremely focused individual whose tireless work ethic has made him one of the best horsemen in recent history. We are proud to honor one of Louisiana's own with this year's Bill Hartack Memorial Award."

The Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation was established by the Friends of Bill Hartack to honor the memory and lifetime achievements of the five-time Kentucky Derby winner. The Foundation, through its philanthropic arm, annually contributes to The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and recognizes the jockey who rides the Kentucky Derby winner each year with the Bill Hartack Memorial Award.

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