It was great strategy or just pure luck that the Northern Kentucky Education Council had Spiral Stakes winner Dubai Sky to win the top prize in the Charity Night at the Tables competition.
“Can you believe it?” said Polly Page, executive director of the NKYEC. “I had sixth choice of horses and was able to get the winner.”
Charity Night at the Tables returned to the Spiral Stakes schedule of events this year after a short hiatus, thanks to the Yearlings, a women’s volunteer organization.
It is a popular Monte Carlo-style faux gaming event that allows participating charities an opportunity to back horses in the Spiral Stakes. Participating players at roulette, poker, blackjack and other casino games designate their winnings to one of the charities and the one with the most chips at the end of the night gets first choice of horses running in the Spiral Stakes.
“It really signifies the beginning of Spiral Week and creates a lot of enthusiasm for the event,” said Chip Bach, Turfway Park general manager.
The charity selecting the winning horse receives $5000. Second place receives $3500, third place, $2500, fourth place $1500 and remaining charities receive $1000.
The charities with the most chips this year chose favorites Royal Son and Metaboss.
By the time sixth-place winner Page chose a horse, she had little hope that he would be a winner.
But the Northern Kentucky Education Council walked away a big winner — and a fellow long-shot — as did Dubai Sky, whose Three Chimneys owners are now saying may be nominated for the Kentucky Derby.
Here’s how they finished:
1.Northern Kentucky Education Council: Dubai Sky, $5000
2.Senior Services of N.Ky.: Conquest Typhoon, $3500
3.Steinford Toy Foundation: Firespike, $2500
4.Task Force Glory
5.New Perceptions: Royal Son, $1000
6.Parrish Kitchen: Metaboss, $1000
7.Holly Hill Children’s Home: Wireless Future, $1000
8.Boone County CASA: Another Lemon Drop, $1000
9. Magic of Believing
10.Big Family
11.Watchyourownbobber
Family Nurturing Center, the 8th charity, will also receive $1000.
Local companies who supported the celebration included Toyota, UC Health, The Bank of Kentucky and St. Elizabeth Healthcare. The Yearlings, a volunteer women’s organization, was presenting sponsor.