SHAKOPEE, MN – Fund raising for the Minnesota based “Leg Up Fund” will be the focus of the say Sunday at Canterbury Park.
The Leg Up Fund was founded in 2014 by a coalition of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse owners, trainers, Canterbury Park and jockeys to set up a fund that would be used to help local jockeys that may get injured through the course of their work at the racetrack.
One of the first recipients of the Fund, popular jockey Anne Von Rosen, will be making her first visit to Canterbury for Leg Up Day since being injured in a spill after a Quarter Horse Race at Turf Paradise. Her return is going to be the highlight of a day that will provide many opportunities for fans to help support the Fund.
“Ideally we would grow the Leg Up Fund and never need to use it,” jockey Dean Butler said. “But we know that is not the reality. Jockeys get injured occasionally and insurance is often unaffordable in this line of work. Leg Up Fund helps those injured riders take care of day-to-day expenses while they recover and return to the saddle.”
Jockeys themselves contribute to the fund each day on a voluntary per-mount basis and horse owners match that contribution. There are multiple opportunities on Sunday for race fans to show their support, including:
- Sponsoring a jockey
- Jockey autograph and photo session
- Stick horse race for children and a dunk tank
- A silent auction that will include items from local businesses as well as art prints and the opportunity to dine with jockeys
Can’t make it out to the Park? Donations can also be made by texting ‘Jockey’ to 41444.
Post time on Sunday is 12:45.
