In partnership with its customers and as the official sponsor of the 2011 Jockey Autograph Book, Hannaford Supermarkets and The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) presented a donation of $7,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.  

Representatives from Hannaford Supermarkets and NYRA made the presentation to the non-profit organization during a special breakfast earlier this week with Saratoga’s top riders for the winners of the 2011 Jockey Autograph Book Golden Ticket Contest. The golden tickets were found exclusively within the books available for the first time this summer at Hannaford Supermarkets.

A portion of the funds were collected through voluntary contributions from track patrons and Hannaford customers throughout the 2011 Saratoga meet. Hannaford and NYRA each matched the customer contributions to bring the donation total to $7,000.

“Hannaford Supermarkets is honored to showcase the tremendous outpouring of support from our customers through today’s donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund,” said Hannaford Supermarkets District Manager Dennis Martin. “The Jockey Autograph Book is a true family tradition at Saratoga and one which all of us at Hannaford are proud to be a part of for the 2011 meet.”

“The jockey colony at Saratoga Race Course not only thrills us each day with outstanding racing, but also provides thousands of memories for families who visit the track each year,” said NYRA Executive Vice President Hal Handel. “We are privileged to partner with Hannaford Supermarkets to support such a cause dedicated to providing assistance to former jockeys who have suffered life-changing on-track injuries.”

The exclusive meet and greet breakfast, held on the Clubhouse porch at Saratoga Race Course, featured Saratoga’s top jockeys, including John Velazquez, Ramon Dominguez and Travers Stakes winner Javier Castellano.

The colorful, 20-page Jockey Autograph Book features a full page for each of the top 12 leading jockeys, listed by number of wins at Saratoga in 2010 along with photos and fun facts for each.

The jockey books have been distributed randomly to fans at Saratoga Race Course and available at the Saratoga Style vendor tent each Thursday of the 2011 meet. The jockey books were also made available for the first time outside of the track at the customer service desk of participating Hannaford stores with a voluntary contribution to benefit the PDJF.

Racing fans also have one final opportunity to purchase official Saratoga Race Course merchandise at Hannaford stores. Available through Labor Day, Hannaford will exclusively feature the following merchandise: Saratoga Race Course red and white baseball cap; Saratoga Race Course red and white visor; Saratoga Race Course stainless steel travel mug; and a Saratoga Race Course water bottle.

Photo: **Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Molly Tarleton (left) and The New York Racing Association, Inc. Executive Vice President Hal Handel (second from left) present jockeys John Velazquez, Edgar Prado, Javier Castellano and Ramon Dominguez (from left to right) with a $7,000 donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund on Wednesday, August 31 at Saratoga Race Course. The donation was made during a special breakfast with the jockeys for the winners of the 2011 Jockey Autograph Book Golden Ticket Contest. A portion of the funds was collected through voluntary contributions from track patrons and Hannaford customers during the 2011 meet.**