By Ben Massam
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) held its annual Saratoga Jockey Karaoke Contest Monday night at Vapor Night Club in Saratoga Springs, entertaining a diverse crowd covering all sides of the racing industry. The event, which has become a staple of Saratoga summers, raised funds through ticket sales, memorabilia auctions and additional contributions from attendees.
Iconic racecaller Tom Durkin served as the emcee, and even participated in some dancing himself, getting the evening off to a lively start and keeping an enthusiastic crowd engaged. Among the highlights of the night was a rap performance from Kendrick Carmouche, which drew high praise from the judge panel of trainers Todd Pletcher and Graham Motion, as well as GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister)'s co-owners Vinnie Viola and Anthony Bonomo. Carmouche would go on to tie for “judges' choice” top honors with Florent Geroux in a dead heat.
The crowd was a fitting cross-section of the racing community, with owners, trainers, jockeys, handicappers and media rubbing elbows in a high-energy atmosphere. Some familiar faces in attendance included WinStar Farm President and CEO Elliott Walden, trainer Mark Casse, recently retired conditioner Mike Hushion. Also in attendance were representatives from the much-anticipated Equestricon convention, which makes its debut Sunday, Aug. 13 in Saratoga Springs. A live auction contributed additional funds–including a pair of U.S. Open box seats that brought over $3,200–while Hall of Famer Ramon Dominguez delivered a heartfelt thank you to attendees while highlighting some success stories of severely injured riders on the road to recovery.
The evening concluded with jockeys, judges and friends joining on the stage for a rendition of Journey's classic, “Don't Stop Believin'.”
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