TO BENEFIT THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE & KOMEN MARYLAND

BALTIMORE, MD. 02/19/15 --- The Maryland Jockey Club today announced the return of Black-Eyed Susan Day's "Ultimate Girls Day Out," celebrating the spirit and strength of women, Friday, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course.

Black-Eyed Susan Day, held annually on the third Friday in May, is the second biggest day on the Maryland racing calendar in terms of purses, attendance and handle, trailing only Preakness Day.

First run as the Pimlico Oaks in 1919, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2), for 3-year-old fillies, is the co-headliner on a 13-race card that also features the historic Pimlico Special (G3).

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (https://www.thoroughbredaftercare.org/), caring for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers, joins Susan G. Komen® Maryland, a major partner in the day's charitable endeavors since 2010, as this year's event beneficiaries.

"The Maryland Jockey Club's ongoing recognition of thoroughbreds after racing remains a welcome blessing.  What a great honor for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) to be chosen as an official charity on such a prestigious and historic day as Black-Eyed Susan," said Stacie Clark, TAA's Operation's Consultant. "The support of the public and the horse racing industry is crucial in allowing these magnificent animals who gave so much of themselves in their racing careers to find useful, happy & purposeful lives afterwards, bringing joy to many,"

The signature pink of Susan G. Komen Maryland has graced the colorful celebration of Black-Eyed Susan Day for the past five years, raising money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.  Susan G. Komen is fueling the best science and making the biggest impact in the fight against breast cancer, having invested almost $2 billion globally to end breast cancer through ground-breaking research, community health outreach and advocacy in more than 50 countries. www.komenmd.org

"Susan G. Komen Maryland has enjoyed a partnership with the Maryland Jockey Club for five years, building on a unique network of participants whose involvement in Black-Eyed Susan Day also supports Komen Maryland. It is a privilege to be one of the selected charities for this event. Shining the light on women's health on Black-Eyed Susan Day is a perfect opportunity to promote ending breast cancer forever and to enjoy a fabulous day outdoors watching the beautiful three year old fillies run", said Komen Maryland's Chief Executive Officer, Robin Prothro.

Pimlico will launch initiatives supporting both charities with a series of events leading up to and on Black-Eyed Susan Day, including the popular "Canter for the Cause" on Sunday, May 10.  Inaugurated in 2014, Canter for the Cause allows the public to follow in the footsteps of racing's greatest champions with the chance to bring their favorite horse to Pimlico and ride the oval where Seabiscuit, Secretariat and others made history.

"The Maryland Jockey Club's continued commitment to the community and to a platform respecting and celebrating the empowerment of women is never more important than at that time of year when the eyes of the world are on Baltimore and Pimlico Race Course.  We are proud to champion the causes that this day is all about: family, career relationships, health education and philanthropy', said MJC Vice President and General Manager, Sal Sinatra.

The Women in Business Networking Luncheon, presented by Morgan Stanley, and in cooperation with the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber, will return on May 15.  Last year's Keynote Speaker was actress Mariel Hemmingway.

And a new event has been added to the Black-Eyed Susan Day line-up, the $30,000 "Bet Like A Girl" All-Female Handicapper Challenge & Seminar, featuring top picks and insider information from the country's finest female horseplayers. Participating in the inaugural "Bet Like A Girl" Challenge & Seminar will be:

•         Christina Bossinakis
•         Caton Bredar
•         Donna Brothers
•         Jill Byrne
•         Jeannine Edwards
•         Gabby Gaudet
•         Maggie Wolfendale

Full details on all the Black-Eyed Susan Day events and happenings, including the Infield music festival line up, will be announced shortly.  Black-Eyed Susan Day tickets, featuring the newest all-inclusive ticket package, The Flute Club, can be purchased by calling the Pimlico sales office (877-206-8042) or through Ticketfly.

For additional information go to www.facebook.com/blackeyedsusanday or https://twitter.com/besstakes.

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. For more information contact David Joseph at david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com or call 954.457.6451.