Turfway Park is hosting an autograph signing to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) Saturday.
The event features 19 former jockeys who rode at Turfway, including Hall of Fame rider Chris McCarron, Derby winner Mike Manganello, and Patti “P.J.” Cooksey, one of only two female riders in history to win more than 2,000 races.
For a donation to the PDJF, guests will receive a poster featuring a photo of the former jockeys and a photo of Turfway’s current jockey colony. Visitors can have the poster signed or bring an item of their choice to be signed, also for a donation to the fund.
Jockeys scheduled to sign include:
Chris McCarron | Mike Manganello | P. J. Cooksey
Mike Bryan | Carl Faulconer | Jim McKnight
R. A. “Cowboy” Jones | Bob Jackson | Johnny Oldham
Suzie Picou-Oldham | Tony D’Amico | Darlene Green
Dana Zook | Otto Thorwarth | Billy Troilo
Gene Chalk | Ronnie Herbstreit
Melinda Vest | Kaoru Tshuchiya
The autograph signing is among activities celebrating Turfway’s heritage on the day longtime race caller Mike Battaglia sets aside his binoculars and becomes a Turfway associate vice president.
The feature race Saturday is the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, named for Mike’s father. The race is a prep for the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes, developed by John Battaglia as a springboard to the Kentucky Derby.
The Spiral Stakes, which takes place April 2, has become a major prep for the Run for The Roses at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.
Visitors can also can purchase a $5 chance on a Maker’s Mark commemorative bottle signed by former Bengals star quarterback Boomer Esiason. The winning entry will be drawn after the 7th race Saturday. The winner must be present to claim the prize.
Tickets can be purchased at the program booth on the first floor. All proceeds benefit the PDJF.
The PDJF provides ongoing assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys who suffered permanently disabling on-track injuries.
Turfway Park and NKyTribune staff