A Worthy Cause
If you’ve ever scrolled down the front page and looked to the right, you’ve probably noticed the photo of the curious chestnut. That’s Ascot Doll, one of my all-time favorite racehorses. His career wasn’t exactly illustrious: He started 111 times, earning slightly more than $253,000 in claiming and allowance races at tracks like Woodbine, Delta Downs, and finally, Suffolk, which is where I came to know him, but he always ran with a lot of heart and his sweet, goofy personality made him a favorite around the barn. Retired last year with a minor ankle injury, Ascot Doll is now at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Secretariat Center at Kentucky Horse Park, where he awaits adoption and is well cared for by wonderful people like farm manager Mimi Davis, who was kind enough to update me recently on how well he’s doing in retirement.
Mimi also let me know that she is taking part in this year’s High Hope Steeplechase, which will be held at the Horse Park on May 21. For more than 40 years the High Hope, a full day of jump and flat racing, has been raising money for equine causes. Hoping to increase awareness of the Center and its many talented wards, Mimi will be riding Sure Sure, another of the Secretariat Center’s horses, in the Lexington Derby that day, and she intends to win. You can help her do that, and help support the Secretariat Center, by donating to High Hope. The more money Mimi raises for the event, the farther up the course she gets to start, and all monies donated will go to the Secretariat Center and two other worthy organizations, Riding for Hope and the Bluegrass Farm Chaplaincy.
If you would like to donate, please make out a check to the High Hope Steeplechase, and mail it to:
Mimi Davis
The Secretariat Center
4089 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511
Donations are 100% tax deductible. For more information about High Hope Steeplechase, please visit its web site.
