NYRA Raises Funds for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Topic: Announcement
NYRA to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer research during Lustgarten Foundation Day at Saratoga Race Course
Annual event held in memory of the late trainer Dominic Galluscio to feature trainer autograph session
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will honor the legacy of the late trainer Dominic while raising funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer research during Lustgarten Foundation Day at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, July 23.
The day’s first race will be named for the Lustgarten Foundation in honor of Galluscio, who passed away in 2014 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. A popular and respected figure among his peers, Galluscio trained more than 1,000 winners and earned more than $31 million in purses in a career that began in 1981 and was spent primarily on the New York circuit.
On January 14, 2021 the racing community lost another dear member – Ray Amato Jr. – to pancreatic cancer. Ray was a third generation farrier whose grandfather and father were also blacksmiths. Ray started shoeing with his dad at only 13 years of age. He worked for Todd Pletcher, Gary Gullo, and a few other trainers from 1980 through his last few years, at which point Mr. Pletcher was his main client
The centerpiece of the day will be a trainer autograph session from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Jockey Silks Room Porch to benefit the Lustgarten Foundation. 100% of all donations to the foundation fund life-saving pancreatic cancer research.
The trainer autograph session is expected to include 2021 Hall of Fame inductee Todd Pletcher, four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown, as well as Hall of Famers Bill Mott, Nick Zito and others.
Saratoga Race Course will feature purple décor in honor of The Lustgarten Foundation and donation bins will be positioned throughout the track grounds.
Gates open at 11 a.m. on Saturday with first post scheduled for 1 p.m.
* This NYRA opportunity is in coordination with the Lustgarten Foundation Albany Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.