In what will certainly be a battle of East versus West, jockeys at Saratoga Race Course and at Del Mar race tracks will compete against each other for the glory of the title of “Best Jockey Karaoke Performance.”

The Del Mar jockey colony will take to the microphone first, performing at the Belly Up Tavern, at 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, Calif.) on Sunday, July 29. Saratoga’s jockeys will then try to outdo their west coast competitors Monday, July 30 at Vapor Night Club, inside the Saratoga Casino and Raceway in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.). A panel of celebrity judges at each venue will determine the best performance. The winning performances will then be posted on the PDJF’s Facebook page and the public allowed to 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 to the California venue, 5:30 p.m. in New York), 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 p.m. 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 through the PDJF website.

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.

The PDJF is a 501(c)(3) charity providing financial assistance to 59 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Founded in 2006, the PDJF has disbursed more than $9 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. The Fund is a cooperative effort among race tracks, jockeys, horsemen, owners, and racing fans. Visit www.pdjf.org for further information.

Press release