Cash is King Racing Stable-comprised of managing partner Chuck Zacney of Phoenixville, Pa.; Bob Brittingham of Collegeville, Pa.; Joe Judge of Surf City, N.J.; Joe Lerro of Langhorne, Pa. and Jennifer Reeves of Philadelphia-will be presented its Special Eclipse at the 35th annual Eclipse Awards on Monday, January 23 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Afleet Alex was named for the son of Cash is King managing partner Chuck Zacney, as well as the daughters of Joe Lerro and Bob Brittingham. In late September of 2004, shortly after Afleet Alex had registered his fourth win from as many starts, Zacney read about Alex's Lemonade Stand-a unique foundation that had evolved from a young cancer patient's front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement for childhood cancer. The eight-year-old Connecticut girl who started it all in 2000, Alexandra Scott, had died just a few weeks earlier on August 1. Upon learning that the charity was determined to continue its efforts despite the death of young Alex, Chuck Zacney and the Cash is King Stable decided that they and their colt could contribute to this worthy cause that clearly transcended the world of horse racing.

Cash is King Racing Stable pledged a portion of Afleet Alex's future earnings to Alex's Lemonade Stand, and along with their trainer Tim Ritchey, donated time and visited children's cancer wings of hospitals in Louisville, Baltimore and New York before each of Afleet Alex's Triple Crown races. "We gave out plenty of Afleet Alex hats and posters," said Zacney. "We had a ton of support from these kids. Most of these kids did not know who we were but all heard of Afleet Alex. It was great to walk into a room and see a big smile. These kids made our experience even more special."

Thanks in large part to the strong support of Cash is King Stable, an Alex's Lemonade Stand was present at Churchill Downs all Derby week long. Other tracks and horsemen soon got behind the effort-as well as the national media. On Belmont Stakes Day, there were 1,100 Alex's Lemonade Stands scattered across the U.S., including dozens at racetracks and wagering facilities from coast to coast. By the end of 2005, Alex's Lemonade Stand had raised over $3.5 million during the preceding 12 months-its best year ever by far.

Cash is King Racing Stable would also like to recognize the time and charitable contribution of Afleet Alex's jockey, Jeremy Rose, and the support of J.J. Graci and Anita "Sam" St. Clair.

Eclipse Award winners will be honored at the 35th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony, to be held Monday, January 23 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. For hotel accommodations and Eclipse Awards dinner reservations, contact Debbie Blair of the NTRA's Lexington office at (800) 792-6872 or dblair@ntra.com.

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horseracing interests, including the American Quarter Horse Association, charged with increasing popularity of horseracing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA and Breeders' Cup Limited also administer the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, Thoroughbred racing's year-end Championships consisting of eight races and $14 million in purses and awards and the Breeders' Cup Stakes Program. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA Web site, ntra.com, and at the Web site for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, breederscup.com.

Chenery will receive the honor on January 23 at the 35th Annual Eclipse Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Calif. The ceremonies will be carried live by TVG.

“I am just tickled to win this award,” said Chenery, who recently relocated to Boulder, Colo. “I’ve had a wonderful time in racing, with the fans, my peers, and of course, the horses. The greatest sight in racing is seeing your horse with your silks on coming down the stretch in the lead. The second greatest thing is seeing a foal born. That’s God’s gift to us.”

In 1973, the Secretariat phenomenon was one of the biggest sports and news stories of the year. During a period coinciding with the end of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War and the emerging Watergate scandal, “Big Red” of Meadow Stable gave the nation an unexpected lift, becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years, when he swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Secretariat’s photo appeared on covers of Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated during the same week.

Throughout the campaign, Chenery, who took over the Meadow operation for her ailing father, Christopher, embodied grace and elegance in the spotlight. Secretariat’s 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes is forever intertwined with the image of Chenery, arms held high in triumph.

Meadow Stable also won two of the three Triple Crown races in 1972 when Riva Ridge captured the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Nearly two decades later, Chenery bred 1992 3-year-old filly champion Saratoga Dew.

In the 32 years since Secretariat’s Triple Crown, Chenery has been widely recognized as racing’s goodwill ambassador throughout the world. She also became extremely active in Thoroughbred causes and foundations. Chenery served as president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) from 1976-1984. She was also president of the Grayson Foundation for equine research in 1985-’86, and was elected to membership in The Jockey Club in 1983. Chenery has also been leading advocate for the health and welfare of retired Thoroughbreds and was a driving force in the formation of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) 25 years ago.

Chenery will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit nearly 33 years to the day after accepting the Horse of the Year trophy on behalf of Secretariat for his 2-year-old season and 32 years after accepting the Horse of the Year trophy following his 3-year-old campaign.

Eclipse Awards are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing.

The 2005 Eclipse Awards will be held January 23, 2006 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Calif. For hotel accommodations and Eclipse Awards dinner reservations, contact Debbie Blair at the NTRA’s Lexington office, (800) 792-6872, or e-mail dblair@ntra.com.

The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies.

The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horseracing interests, including the American Quarter Horse Association, charged with increasing popularity of horseracing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA and Breeders’ Cup Limited also administer the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships consisting of eight races and $14 million in purses and awards and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and New York City. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA Web site, ntra.com, and at the Web site for the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, breederscup.com.