Imagine the chance to speak with legendary jockey Ron
Turcotte about riding the great Secretariat to a 31-length victory in the
Belmont Stakes to complete the Triple Crown or hear Jean Cruguet describe his
experience riding Seattle Slew to the Triple Crown in 1977.
Jockeys that have been involved in some of the biggest
moments in the history of thoroughbred horse racing will be together in one
room, and this is your chance to join them for the 2011 Dining with the Dynasty
luncheon at to be held at Arlington
Park on Friday, Aug. 12,
the day before Arlington Million XXIX.
Dining with the Dynasty is a ticketed charity event that
brings legendary jockeys from all over the country to raise funds to benefit
two national organizations dedicated to serving the athletes and workers that
support the sport.
Ticketholders will spend the afternoon in Mr. D.’s Sports
Bar with the legendary and Hall of Fame jockeys such as Walter Blum, Bill
Boland, P. J. Cooksey, Angel Cordero, Jean Cruguet, Pat Day, David Erb, Earlie
Fires, Jackie Fires, Mark Guidry, Sandy Hawley, Chris McCarron, Laffit Pincay
Jr., Randy Romero, John Rotz, Ray Sibille, Ron Turcotte and Bobby Ussery. The
jockeys will share stories, reminisce about racing experiences and will
autograph your racing memorabilia.
Arlington Park’s
Howard Sudberry, the veteran Chicago
sportscaster, will host the event and interview the all-time great jockeys as
they tell wonderful stories about their experiences riding some of the most
famous horses in racing history.
After hearing all of their wonderful stories, there is
another unique opportunity for those who appreciate the rich history of racing.
Five of the legendary jockeys, including 72-year-old Jean Cruguet, P. J.
Cooksey, Earlie Fires, Mark Guidry and Chris McCarron will ride in a jockey
challenge race against five of Arlington
Park’s top riders.
The first 100 to purchase tickets to the event will get the
chance to go in the paddock as these legendary jockeys get a “leg up” for their
challenge race.
Tickets are $99 online if purchased on or before Aug. 5;
$119 at the box office up until the day of the event or until the event is sold
out. After Aug. 5 tickets are $119 online or at the box office. The event is
limited to the first 200 purchasers. Tickets include food and beverage,
private autograph session, a question and answer session and incredible
prizes.
Proceeds from the event benefit The Permanently Disabled
Jockeys Fund and the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America.
In addition to “Dining with the Dynasty”, many of the
riders will appear at Breakfast at Arlington
from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 12 and will participate in a public
autograph session at the bottom of Grand Staircase on the apron level from
10:30 a.m. until Noon on Arlington Million Day, Saturday, Aug. 13.