Saratoga raising funds for breast-cancer research

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Friday at Saratoga is billed as “Fabulous Fillies Day,” when the New York Racing Association will celebrate women and their contributions to Thoroughbred racing while raising funds to support breast-cancer research.

The centerpiece of the daylong affair will be the Sizzling Hot Pink Saratoga Hat Luncheon, presented by Escada in the At the Rail Pavilion. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception at 11:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon at 12:30 p.m.

The luncheon will feature guest speaker Dr. Larry Norton, leading the discussion “Breast Cancer: How We are Winning the Race.” Norton is the deputy physician-in-chief for breast-cancer programs at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and medical director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center. Norton has served as the scientific director of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation since its inception in 1993.

Event guests will have the opportunity to shop at the Escada boutique located in the At the Rail Pavilion. The Escada boutique will be open to the public from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Escada will donate 20 percent of proceeds from boutique sales to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Tickets for the luncheon cost $150. All proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Play for P.I.N.K. Ticket availability is limited. For additional information, call (646) 497-2615 or e-mail lgales@bcrfcure.org.

This year’s luncheon is in honor of Stella Thayer, past president and a member of the board of trustees of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

The celebration will be highlighted ontrack with decorative pink bunting and flowers at the clubhouse and Union Avenue gates and at various locations throughout the property. The iconic Sea Hero statue in the paddock also will be draped with a pink horse blanket, and all NYRA staff members will wear pink ribbons. Additionally, all jockeys will wear pink armbands.