Florida Derby Festival raises money for charities
Gulfstream Park will offer fans a week of activities and attractions leading
up to the $1 million Florida Derby on Saturday, March 31, including a concert by
a mystery Grammy-winning country artist as well as golf and poker tournaments, a
cocktail party with jockeys serving drinks, and the official Florida Derby
cocktail party with live and silent auctions.
All money raised at these events will go toward The Gulfstream Park
Thoroughbred After-Care Program and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
"Led by our chairman, Frank Stronach, the management and staff of Gulfstream
Park believe it is our responsibility to reach out and meet the needs of the
Thoroughbred community at large," Gulfstream Park President and General Manager
Timothy Ritvo said. "Mr. Stronach has been an industry-leader and innovator in
Thoroughbred retirement and rehabilitation, and is a long-time supporter of the
Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
"We hope the events leading up to the Florida Derby raise awareness and funds
for both of these worthy charities while bringing our community together in
celebration of the 61st running of the Florida Derby."
In the first 60 runnings of the Florida Derby, 40 starters have gone on to
win a remarkable 55 Triple Crown events. Past Florida Derby winners include
Barbaro, Big Brown, Northern Dancer, Spectacular Bid and Foolish Pleasure.
The Florida Derby week of festivities include:
Jockeys Race to the Bar
6:30 p.m. (EDT) Sport of Kings
Jockeys tend bar with all tips going to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys
Fund. Live DJ, silent and casual auctions, racing "goody bag" to first 100
people. Event t-shirts can be purchased. Hors d'oeuvres between 6:30-8 p.m.
Kiss Country Pop Up Concert
8 p.m. (Line begins forming at 7 p.m.) Sport of Kings
Grammy Award-winning artist to be revealed when the curtains open.
Florida Derby Charity Golf Tournament
10:30 a.m., Westin Diplomat
Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey hosts the second annual Florida Derby Golf
Tournament. Every other hole will have a satellite bar. There will also be a
Burger Hole, 50/50 raffles, closest to the pin and longest drive. Tickets
are $200 per person. Please contact Susan Stofsky at susan.stofsky@gulfstreampark.com or
call 954.455.6672.
Post Position Draw
12:30 p.m. Ten Palms American Kitchen & Stone Crab Parlor
Draw Giveaway: Long sleeve Florida Derby t-shirt giveaway, Breezeway (free
with program).
$10,000 Aces for Aftercare Poker Tournament
6:30 p.m. First floor casino.
$150 Buy-in. Please contact Scott Poole at scott.poole@gulfstreampark or
call 954.457.6336.
Official Florida Derby Party Cocktails and Horse Tales
7 p.m. Walking Ring
Light cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres, live band and silent and live auction
with auction masters Ron Nicoletti and Ralph Pagano.
$1 million Florida Derby
First race post 12:30 p.m.
Travel cooler giveaway with paid program
Polo shirt with seat purchase
$500 Ladies' hat contest
Party in the Park – 7 p.m. (free to the public after the last race)
Lobsters & Libations
Clam Bake/Sand Bake
1-6 p.m. Frank's Beach
Cost $25
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