Keeneland Race Track will host Pink Day in conjunction with First Lady Jane Beshear’s Horses and Hope program on Sunday, April 13th from 11 AM to 6 PM. Keeneland wants everyone to wear pink and help promote breast cancer awareness while they raise money for this worthy cause. Join survivors and supporters in Keeneland’s North Terrace for live music and special Pink Day activities while you enjoy a day of horse racing.

Special guests for the day are the “Ladies of the Turf,” approximately 30 retired and active female jockeys. The group includes women who were first allowed to ride in 1969 and some of the most accomplished members of their profession. The ladies will autograph a commemorative poster, proceeds will benefit Horses and Hope and the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund.

In speaking about Horses for Hope, Jane Beshear, the first lady of Kentucky says “Every year between 2800 and 3200 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and it remains the second leading cause of death for women in Kentucky.

This staggering statistic is what has led me to developing “Horses and Hope”, my initiative to educate, improve awareness and offer screenings for the often overlooked members of Kentucky’s horse industry. There are over 80,000 equine related employees across the Bluegrass, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured. These individuals are the backbone of our signature industry and I am committed to giving back to the people that help to make Kentucky the horse capital of the world.

I have engaged the support of many leaders in the Thoroughbred industry as well as experts in breast cancer prevention and treatment. By partnering with these two groups, we will host a “Horses and Hope Day at the Races” at each of our four racetracks. We will provide information about prevention and treatment of breast cancer as well as offering free screenings with an on-site mobile mammography unit at each of these events.

If we can catch one woman before her cancer spreads, if we can show one woman how to do self-exams, if we raise one dollar that goes to find that cure – and we will do all of these things – we have made a difference.

I hope that you will join me in my efforts to curb this terrible disease. When we work together, we ALL make a difference.”