Breeders' Cup dedicated to 'N.Y. Heroes'

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Breeders' Cup Ltd., and the New York Racing Association announced Friday that the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships scheduled for Oct. 27 at Belmont Park will be dedicated to the families

of New York firefighters, police officers, emergency services personnel, and other victims who lost their lives as a result of terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.

A special fund of NTRA charities will be established to receive contributions, all of which will be earmarked to assist the families of victims. A minimum goal of $1 million has been established for this program. The NTRA and NYRA will donate a portion of each paid admission along with a percentage of all

other revenue in connection with the World Thoroughbred Championships to the "NTRA Charities - New York Heroes Fund."

Additionally, the NTRA Charities - New York Heros Fund will be the recipient of all proceeds of the Breeders' Cup Charity Gala scheduled for Oct. 26 in New York.

Officials also indicated that all involved with the World Thoroughbred Championships, including owners, trainers, jockeys, racetracks, simulcast partners, corporate sponsors, and media partners, will have opportunities to participate and contribute through voluntary programs to be announced in the near future.

New York-based Bessemer Trust, an NTRA / Breeders' Cup sponsor, has agreed to establish and maintain a bank account for the special fund at no cost.

Donations can be sent to NTRA Charities - New York Heroes Fund, c/o Bessemer Trust Company, Attn.: Robert Elliott, 630 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y., 10111.