Churchill Downs to Award $127,000 in Kentucky Derby, Oaks Charitable Contributions During Stephen Foster 'Downs After Dark' Celebration

Jun 13, 2014 John Asher

Three charitable organizations will visit Churchill Downs Racetrack during 'Downs After Dark' festivities on Saturday, June 14 to accept donations totaling $127,000 from the historic track that were generated by activities during this year's celebration of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Longines Kentucky Oaks.

Checks will be presented by Dana Johnson, Churchill Downs Incorporated's ('CDI') Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility, to Bright Pink, the official women's health partner of the Kentucky Oaks; Horses and Hope, Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear's cancer outreach initiative in Kentucky's horse industry; and Dare to Care, a Louisville, Ky. food bank that has been serving the city's needy for more than 40 years. The presentations will follow the third race on Saturday's 11-race night racing program that begins at 6 p.m. (all times EDT). Post time for the third race is set for approximately 6:56 p.m.

A check for $57,000 will be presented to Bright Pink, a Chicago-based non-profit organization focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women along with support for high-risk individuals. This was Bright Pink's first year as the Oaks' women's health partner, a focus that dates to 2009, when the event's 'Ladies First' theme was introduced.

Bright Pink's Chief of Staff Carl Frazier will accept the check, which includes funds from a $50,000 donation from Churchill Downs and funds from donations made online and on-track during the Oaks Day celebration. The donation will be used by the organization for the education, support, and empowerment of young women nationwide in prevention of breast and ovarian cancer.

With the donation to Bright Pink, Churchill Downs will have donated $589,000 to its Kentucky Oaks' women's health partners since 2009.

A check for $30,000 will be presented to Horses and Hope to support its programs at racetracks and farms in Kentucky's horse industry. The mission of the First Lady's initiative is to increase breast cancer awareness, education, screening and treatment referrals among Kentucky horse industry workers and their families.

The donation to Horses and Hope represents $1 from each on-track sale of the 'Oaks Lily,' the signature drink of the Kentucky Oaks. The check will be presented to Connie Sorrell, director of the Kentucky Cancer Program at the University of Louisville, and Thoroughbred owner-breeder Anita Cauley, a member of the First Lady's 'Pink Stable.'

With its 2014 donation, Churchill Downs has donated $180,000 to Horses and Hope during its six-year Kentucky Oaks partnership.

Dare to Care will receive a donation of $40,000 from the from the fifth annual 'Taste of Derby Presented by Stella Artois' celebration in the North Wing Lobby of Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center on Thursday, May 1. The celebration of racing cuisine, celebrity and style attracted more than 1,500 patrons.

Johnson will present the check to Dare to Care Chief Development Officer Jackie Keating and Corporate Relations Manager Remy Kenney.