Racehorses know how to warm up their mounts, but they’re also warming up their vocal cords in Saratoga and Del Mar ahead of the annual “Riders Up! Battle of East-vs-West” karaoke jockey competition third to benefit the Permanently Disability Jockeys Foundation (PDJF).
Saratoga horse riders come out of the gate for the first time on Sunday, July 31, at Vapor Night (342 Jefferson St., Saratoga Springs, NY). NYRA broadcaster Tom Durkin will compete, and this year’s judges will be LRE Racing, horse owner Lee Einsidler, coach Graham Motion, New York Fox Sports Association showrunner Laffit Pincay III, and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. Then, on Sunday, August 7, the Del Mar racers will attempt to overtake their East Coast rivals at Belly Up (143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, CA). TVG presenter Mike Joyce will compete against judges Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper and TVG host Todd Schrupp.
Both competitions will be streamed live via the PDJF Facebook page (www.facebook.com/jockeysfund) and after the judges on each coast named their favorite performance, the public would vote online for their favorite performance via Facebook and Twitter (@PDJFund). The last East-West competition was held in 2019, almost to a death heat, between Johnny and Leona Velazquez of the East Coast and Iggy and Michelle Puglisi of the West Coast, the West Coast’s record of winning just surpassed. East with only seven votes. .
The jockeys on both coasts show up each year with new performances, elevating their game and never disappointing, all to raise funds and awareness of the need to support those jockey players are permanently disabled. Many have listed, but some notable performances have been performed by Mike and Cynthia Smith as Sonny and Cher, performances by the NSYNC & Backstreet Boys’ classic boy band Julien and Shea Leparoux Lady Gaga, and Bradley Cooper Oscar Shallow performance, and an unforgettable performance by Mike Luzzi and Phil Teator as Kiss and Motley Crue. That’s in the past, one can only imagine what we’ll see after a two-year hiatus.
General admission (including a drink voucher) per person is $75 for 7:45pm entry at Vapor Night Club and 7:45pm entry to Belly Up. A limited number of VIP tickets are available at each location for $150, including early entry at 6pm local time at both locations, open reservation seating, two drink vouchers and buffet dinner with horse racers. The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. local time. Both events feature live and silent auctions and a cashier. Patrons must be 21 years or older to enter the establishment.
Tickets are currently on sale at https://pdjf.org/purchase-tickets/. Multi-tier sponsorship opportunities are available for both events. Contact PDFF via email ([email protected]) or call (630) 595-7660.
PDJF is a 501(c)(3) charity that provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former equestrian athletes who have been seriously injured on the track. Founded in 2006, PDJF has disbursed more than $12 million to permanently disabled horse riders, most of whom are paralyzed or have sustained traumatic brain injury. The Foundation is a collaborative effort between racecourses, racehorses, riders, owners and racing fans. Visit www.pdjf.org for more information.
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