Fair Grounds Jockeys Spread Holiday Cheer

In early December, jockeys from Fair Grounds dressed in racing silks paid a pair of visits to Ochsner’s Pediatric Outpatient Clinic and both the Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

On December 3 jockeys James Graham, Francisco Torres, Robby Albarado and Chris Rosier visited the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic where they handed out autographed jockey goggles, jockey trading cards, and cowboy hats to 25 patients. Among these patients were children receiving chemotherapy treatments, oncology patients, cardiology patients, neurology patients and hematology patients.

On December 10, jockeys Brian Hernandez, Jr., Forest Boyce, Willie Martinez, and Marcelino Pedroza visited the Pediatric Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to deliver autographed goggles, trading cards, and autographed plush horses.

“We had a couple of great mornings at Ochsner Children's Hospital and met some wonderful children who loved meeting the jockeys. It was really special,” said Sandra Salmen of Fair Grounds Horsemen’s Relations.

This is the first year the Fair Grounds has participated in an all-volunteer effort to provide outreach to children with disabilities and chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Source: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots