BALTIMORE, 05-09-14---The Ultimate Girls Day Out on Black-Eyed Susan Day 2014 kicks off Preakness Weekend with a heavy sprinkling of celebrity stardust as Academy Award-nominated actress and author Mariel Hemingway will deliver the Keynote Address at the inaugural Morgan Stanley Women in Business networking event & luncheon in the Preakness Village, Friday, May 16, co-hosted with the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce.

Hemingway will focus on  mind-body-spirit optimization and purposeful living in her remarks. She is both a devoted teacher and a student in this holistic concentration. Renowned for her work in film and television, Hemingway is a true Renaissance woman, adding adventurist, eco activist, healthy lifestyle and mental health advocate, yoga video star, food brand entrepreneur and now documentary filmmaker to her long list of accomplishments. She is also the founder of Mariel’s Kitchen, producer of gluten and sugar free confection, Blisscuits.

She will be on hand at the event to also sign copies of her latest book, Running With Nature (Changing Lives Press). Co-authored in 2013 by Hemingway and her life partner, eco enthusiast Bobby Williams, the book shares their insights about the import and impact of good nutrition, meditation, movement, silence, the beauty of simple living, connectedness to self and earth, and an awareness of simple timeless anti-aging modalities based on self-sustaining self-healing focused choices. For more information, please visit https://runningwithnature.com; https://www.facebook.com/RunningFromCrazy; https://twitter.com/MarielHemingway and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mariel-Hemingway-Official-Fan.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.ticketfly.com/event/522851-baltimore-washington-corridor-baltimore/.

Last December,Pimlico announced a new Black-Eyed Susan branding campaign in support of issues important to women year-round: Empowerment 360°.

“The Maryland Jockey Club is committed to the empowerment of women and supports a platform to honor their strength and spirit,” Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said. “Black-Eyed Susan Day is a platform to champion causes related to health, education, career relationships and family. This event with Mariel Hemingway is a wonderful reflection of the important values and purpose of this day and a chance to acknowledge it in a fun and novel way. We thank Morgan Stanley for their support and look forward to Girls Day Out as an annual event at Pimlico.”

Guests will enjoy a sumptuous buffet luncheon, Afternoon Tea and the Preakness Eve concert featuring Counting Crows, The Fray and Annie Bosko. The music will top all day fun at the Infield Festival where exhibits will showcase important wellness topics  to women: health, nutrition, fitness, beauty & fashion, spa services and resources on social, political & community issues.

The event will assist Baltimore-based Suited to Succeed, which encourages Baltimore area women in their efforts to transition from training programs and unemployment to self-sufficiency by providing free professional clothing and workshops; guests are encouraged to donate various items of business attire to support this mission.

In other Black-Eyed Susan Day news, Pimlico and event sponsor LifeBridge Health have decided to focus on fitness and charity rather than attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for largest Zumba^® class. As a fitness party that aims to raise money for breast cancer research, this event promises to be a great workout for an excellent cause.

LifeBridge Health & Fitness Zumba instructors Mia Heefner and Kathy Graham will lead “The Shake It For a Good Cause” class at 11 a.m. on the main stage in the Pimlico infield. Tickets are $40. Event proceeds go to the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure^®, one of the two charities Pimlico is teaming up with on Black-Eyed Susan Day.

“LifeBridge Health & Fitness is excited to be part of such a large event that will combine fitness and fun, and will support such a great cause, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure,” said Jarred Fajerski, executive director of LifeBridge Health & Fitness.

Heefner taught a class to a group of jockeys in the Pimlico winners’ circle Friday, April 25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhlmGdXn0f4&feature=youtu.be.

For more information on the Black-Eyed Susan events, visit www.blackeyedsusanday.com.

About Pimlico Race Course

Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing's famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.

Pimlico Race Course is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.