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Uptowncharlybrown's Rajiv Maragh will wear TRF logo

UPTOWNCHARLYBROWN's (Limehouse) jockey Rajiv Maragh will be wearing the TRF (Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation) logo on his pants when he rides the three-year-old in Saturday's Belmont S. (G1).

Uptowncharlybrown played with his lead while getting a bath Thursday (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) The colt is owned by Fantasy Lane Stable, a racing partnership that sells off pieces of its horses to dozens of partners, many of them racing fans who love the sport but can't afford to own a horse outright. With Uptowncharlybrown, the partners include Regina Schneller, who is the chief counsel for the TRF. Schneller went to Fantasy Lane's managing partner Bob Hutt and asked if he could arrange for Maragh to wear the logo. He was more than happy to help. "We want the world to know the great things the TRF does for these horses," Hutt explained. "These horses give us so many thrills and each one is a champion in its own right. We're thrilled to help a group that helps these animals. This was simply the right thing to do. I wish more trainers, owners and jockeys would do this." Schneller did most of the work to make it happen. She contacted the NYRA stewards for their permission, dealt with Maragh and personally paid for Maragh's new pants.

Hutt said the effort was typical for Schneller, a horse lover who always goes out of her way to help the TRF and retired Thoroughbreds.

"Here is someone who never had anything to do with racing and, now, she has a farm with 15 retired Thoroughbreds," Hutt said. "She did all that at her own personal expense. Any time a Fantasy Lane horse needs a home I call Regina and she goes to the TRF and makes it happen. Four or five of the 15 retirees she has are Fantasy Lane horses."

Uptowncharlybrown will be a sentimental favorite in the Belmont. An overachiever who cost just $57,000 at the sales, he is owned by a group made up of blue-collar workers, fans and horse lovers. Some of the partners paid less than $1,500 to own the piece of the horse and, as it has turned out, a piece of a dream.

He will be making his first start for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. He took over after trainer Alan Seewald unexpectedly passed away. Seewald was steadfast against running the horse in the Kentucky Derby (G1) or Preakness (G1), feeling the Belmont was the perfect race for him. Hutt and McLaughlin have taken the path Seewald designed, having faith not only in their horse but in his late trainer.

More Triple Crown News & Notes:

American Pharaoh back at Churchill, to parade Stephen Foster night

Zayat, Baffert hail Triple Crown champion American Pharoah

Espinoza's schedule remains packed; McAnally reminisces on past TC winners

Baffert: American Pharoah is 'my best hope for the Triple Crown'

Pletcher reminisces on past Belmont victories

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