Old Friends Preps for the 2010 Kentucky Derby with Two Super Saturday Presentations

Aqueduct and Santa Anita events to support the Georgetown, KY Thoroughbred Retirement Farm

GEORGETOWN, KY – MARCH 30, 2010 – With only 32 days until Derby, Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Central Kentucky, is prepping for the run-for-the roses with two super Saturday events.

On April 3, The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and leading Thoroughbred owner Mike Repole will show support for Old Friends at the 86th running of the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racecourse.

NYRA and Repole will award Old Friends with a generous $10,000 donation that will be presented to Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen in the Wood winner circle following the race.

In addition, Repole will announce retirement plans for his New York-bred gelding Cool N Collective, who is schedule to arrive at Old Friends’ satellite facility in Cabin Creek, N.Y., the Bobby Frankel Division, later in April.   The 13-year-old was sired by Ruhlmann, one of Old Friends’s first retirees.

Cool N Collective will also be on hand to make a farewell appearance at track.

Meanwhile, across the country at the Santa Anita Derby, Hall-of-Fame trainer Bob Baffert will be showing his support of Old Friends by designating proceeds from collectible “Hall of Fame Championship Achievement” jerseys that he will personally autograph at Santa Anita on April 3.

MVP Athletic Apparel created the limited-edition tops, which have been endorsed by the Breeders’ Cup, Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, and The National Museum of Racing. Baffert Stables, MVP Athletic Apparel, and Santa Anita are also planning a charitable event at Santa Anita that same day to launch the new line.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Blowen. “This is a complete affirmation that racing cares about its athletes. The donations will allow us to expand our facilities in both Kentucky and New York, providing more space for more deserving Thoroughbreds to retire with dignity.”

For more information or to order a Championship jersey, go to: www.mvpchampions.com.

For additional information about Old Friends and any of its retired champions, see the website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call (502) 863-1775.

Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that is home to nearly 100 retired racehorses. It’s Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. For more information on tours, reservations at the Old Friends B&B, or to make a donation, contact the farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cagrisolia@yahoo.com, or Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org.

Tags: equestrian competitions, Equine Protection, Horse Racing, Kentucky Derby, New York Racing Association, Old Friends, Thoroughbreds

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