East vs. West jockeys in for karaoke-off to benefit PDJF
In what will certainly be a battle of East versus West, jockeys at Saratoga and at Del Mar race tracks will compete against each other for the glory of the title of “Best Jockey Karaoke Performance," all to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
The Del Mar jockey colony will take to the microphone first, performing at the Belly Up Tavern (143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, CA) on Sunday, July 29. Saratoga’s jockeys will then try to outdo their west coast competitors Monday, July 30 at Vapor Night Club (inside Saratoga Casino and Raceway in Saratoga Springs, NY).
A panel of celebrity judges at each venue will determine the best performance which will then be posted on the PDJF’s Facebook page and the public can thereafter vote for its favorite via a poll. The winning jockey colony as determined by that poll will be awarded a trophy and bragging rights.
“We always have a fun time trying to beat each other in Saratoga, but now the stakes are raised and we have to beat the guys in California, too,” said PDJF Board Member John Velazquez. “They’re performing first, so we have to come from behind to win.”
“The Saratoga guys may have more experience in karaoke, having done it for so many years,” said Mike Smith. “But we have tons more personality and a few surprises in store. I think we’ll win the trophy.”
Tom Durkin will serve as emcee in Saratoga and Mike Joyce of TVG will have the honors in Del Mar.
General admission tickets (includes one drink coupon) for each venue are $75 with 7:45 p.m. entry to the Belly Up Tavern and 7:30 p.m. entry to Vapor Night Club. A limited number of VIP tickets are available at each venue for $150 which includes early entry (6:15 p.m. entry in CA, 5:30 p.m. in NY), reserved seats close to the stage, two drink coupons, and a buffet dinner with the jockeys. Performances are scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. in California and 7:45 pm in New York. Both events feature live and silent auctions and a cash bar. Patrons must be 21 years of age or older to enter the premises. Tickets are now on sale here.
Multi-tiered sponsorship opportunities are available for both the Del Mar and Saratoga events. Contact the PDJF before July 18 by email (info@pdjf.org) or call (630) 595-7660.