The year 2009 will best be remembered as it pertains to the Kentucky Oaks by Rachel Alexandra’s jaw-dropping 20 ¼ length victory, but one other very significant ritual was inaugurated for the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks. The Survivors Parade: a heartwarming march down the homestretch and past the stands filled with thousands of cheering supporters, this march consists of more than 100 pink-clad women all having one thing in common; they all have survived breast cancer.
Starting in 2009 the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Horses and Hope charity foundations have partnered with Churchill Downs every year on Kentucky Oaks day to raise money and awareness for millions of people around the world in order to prevent breast cancer. This year Churchill Downs has pledged to give $1 for every Oaks attendee to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and $1 for every Oaks Lily Beverage sold to the Horses and Hope foundation. Last year a record attendance of more than 116,000 fans was numbered for the Kentucky Oaks, with $1 for every person in attendance going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Here’s to hoping an even bigger number of fans shows up for Kentucky Oaks 137.
[Read the rest here at Kentucky Oaks Runner on Horse Racing Nation]
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