Japanese earthquake relief gets $14M from racing sources

The Japan Racing Association’s Aid for Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake program conducted between March 19 and 27 resulted in public donations of 44,735,867 yen ($542,735), the association reported Wednesday.

The racing association itself has added 100 million yen ($1,213,200) to the 1 billion yen ($12,320,000) already donated from the total handle at association tracks during that period. Along with other measures, JRA donations to the earthquake fund total 1,138,140,000 yen ($14,012,778).

Donations made by owners, trainers, and jockeys determined by the number of starts made by each participant during the period totaled $472,215. All contributions to the Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake fund will be funneled through the Japan Red Cross Society.

In additon, the Grade 3 March Stakes, scheduled for Japanese 1000 Guineas Day at Hanshin near Osaka on April 10, has been designated as an Aid for Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake Race. As a result, 5 percent of the race handle will be donated to earthquake victims.

◗ Telephone betting throughout Japan will resume for the first time since the March 11 quake on Saturday, April 2. Offtrack betting facilities and racecourses in the eastern part of the country hardest hit by the quake and resulting tsunami remained closed.