News Releases

Monday, November 16, 2020Contact: Jamie Haydon (859) 224-2750
Gamble for Grayson Handicapping Challenge between Little Red Feather and Equibase to benefit Grayson

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today that it has partnered with Little Red Feather Racing and Equibase Company for the Gamble for Grayson Handicapping Challenge.

The handicapping contest will take place November 28-29 and span five graded stakes races that are scheduled to be held that weekend at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. Representatives from Little Red Feather and Equibase will have a $500 bankroll, of which $100 must be played on each of the specified races on win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, or superfecta wagers. At the end of the weekend, all remaining bankroll and winnings will be donated to Grayson.

“We thank Little Red Feather and Equibase for recognizing the importance of equine veterinary research,” said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson. “Grayson’s previous handicapping challenges for charity at Indiana Grand and with The Stronach Group were rousing successes, and we appreciate the interest from other organizations to participate in similar contests to benefit our foundation.”

The team representing Little Red Feather is Gary Fenton, managing partner of Little Red Feather; and Kenny Mayne, sports journalist for ESPN. The Equibase team is composed of Christina Blacker, TVG host, reporter, and analyst; and Ellis Starr, national racing analyst for Equibase.

“Little Red Feather prioritizes the health and wellness of our racehorses, and Grayson-funded research enables us and all horse owners to ensure that our horses are receiving the best care at all stages of their lives,” said Fenton. “Along with Kenny Mayne, I am excited to put my handicapping skills to the test on behalf of Little Red Feather to raise money for such an important cause.”

“Our team at Equibase is poised for the Grayson gambling challenge and supporting the foundation’s work,” said Jason Wilson, president and chief operating officer of Equibase. “I am confident that Christina’s and Ellis’ handicapping prowess combined with Equibase’s handicapping tools will make for an exciting competition with Little Red Feather, and, most importantly, a successful weekend for Grayson and their important work.”

The races that have been selected for the Gamble for Grayson Handicapping Challenge are the grade 1 Hollywood Derby and Matriarch Stakes, the grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap, and the grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes and Cecil B. Demille Stakes.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $29.1 million to fund 384 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

Formed in 2002, Little Red Feather (LRF) and its sister company Solana Beach Sales (SBS) are California’s largest syndicate, managing nearly 100 horses and over 300 active partners. LRF recently concluded a record breaking summer in 2020 with 11 wins at Del Mar from its managed partnerships, including wins in the G2 Del Mar Handicap - a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In race - with Red King, and the G2 John C Mabee Stakes with Raymundos Secret. LRF campaigned Breeders’ Cup Winner Singletary and G1 winners Egg Drop, Secret Spice, Fault, Mirth and stallion Midnight Storm. SBS burst onto the sales scene in 2016 and graduates include G1 winners Instilled Regard, Bast and G1 placed Anneau D’Or who finished 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at the 2019 World Championships. 

Equibase Company is a partnership between subsidiaries of The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and serves as the Thoroughbred industry’s official database. Through its website (equibase.com) and mobile applications, Equibase offers a comprehensive array of free statistical information as well as premium handicapping products and reports in support of the North American Thoroughbred racing industry.