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Fans can root for a horse and their favorite charity at the same time at Saturday’s Spiral Stakes at Turfway


By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor

Those still not sure which horse to root for in Saturday’s $500,000 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes may choose to cheer on a runner that will benefit their favorite local charity.

Barbara Moran Johnson of the Yearlings introduces the charities with selections in this year's Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park (photos by Mark Hansel)

Barbara Moran Johnson of The Yearlings introduces the charities with selections in this year’s Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park (photos by Mark Hansel).

During Wednesday’s post-position draw at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, six local charities got to select a Spiral Stakes horse, with a chance to cash in big for their organizations.

Since there are fewer charities represented than horses in the race, the selection does not have to win for a charity to cash in. In fact, all of the participating charities will get a significant contribution.

The charity whose horse finishes best receives $5,000 for its work. The charity whose horse finishes next receives $3500 and then $2500 for the next with the remaining charities each to receive $1500.

The event is part of the The Yearlings Charity Night at the Tables at Turfway Park.

The Yearlings have contributed to more than 30 charities over the years.

The Spiral Stakes at Florence’s Turfway Park was inaugurated in 1979 and grew into a huge community celebration with festival and charitable events.

The Yearlings, made up exclusively of women, were founded in 1986 as the Spiral Festival Auxiliary, to assist with coordinating the numerous charitable activities surrounding the Spiral Stakes.

When the Spiral Festival was disbanded in 1991, the members of The Yearlings continued their efforts to serve their community.

Kim Webb of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky with Turfway Park vice president Mike Battaglia at Wednesday's event at Horseshoe CAsino Cincinnati.

Kim Webb of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky with Turfway Park vice president Mike Battaglia at Wednesday’s event at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati.

The group declared its independence from the Spiral Stakes and incorporated as a non-profit organization with the mission of raising the maximum for charity at minimum administrative cost.

The Yearling’s celebrates its 30-year anniversary this year and has raised more than $860,000 for local charities and universities.

Charity Night at the Tables is a Monte Carlo-style at Turfway Park. This year more than 400 people attended the event and at the end of the night, the charities with the most “money” in chips donated were allowed to select a Spiral Stakes horse.

“The steering committee that organized this event was really committed to making it happen again,” said Barbara Moran Johnson of The Yearlings. “We were excited about the success and really appreciate all of the support from the community.”

The eligible charities with horse selections and morning line odds:

  • Parish Kitchen – Azar 5-1
  • Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky – Don’t Be So Salty 8-1
  • Steinford Toy Foundation – Kasseopia 6-1
  • Boone County CASA – Airoforce 3-1
  • Hosea House – Jensen 6-1
  • Milestones – Ralis 6-1

Kim Webb, executive director of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, said the contribution means a lot to the organization.

“We’re going leave, at worst, with $1,500,” Webb said. “When you are 92 percent privately funded, that’s a lot of money that comes directly back to the shelter in order for us to help our guests. We’re thrilled, were excited and we love our horse selection.”

One of the charities, Steinford Toy Foundation, received an added bonus before the starting gate even opened this year.

Steinford Toy Foundation’s entry was scratched just before the race last year and Wednesday, the horse’s owner, Kevin Warner, donated $2,500 to the non-profit.

Contact Mark Hansel @mark.hansel@nkytrib.com


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