News Releases

Thursday, March 16, 2006Contact: Bob Curran Jr. (212) 521-5326
'Belmont Bash' Will Benefit Equine Research, World Hunger

The charity event formerly known as the Belmont Ball and the Belmont Celebration will have a new name, a new location and a new entertainment format when it is held on Thursday, June 8, 2006.

The Belmont Bash, hosted by the New York Racing Association and The Jockey Club, will benefit Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and World Hunger Year.

It will be held at the Hard Rock Café in New York City’s Times Square and it will feature cocktails, dinner, an auction and a concert by the critically acclaimed Beatles tribute band known as The Fab Faux.

In keeping with the musical theme, legendary New York disc jockey Pete Fornatale will serve as master of ceremonies. The concert will be recorded for broadcast at a later date on Fornatale’s satellite (XM) and terrestrial (WFUV 90.7 FM) radio shows.

“We are very excited about this event and exceptionally proud to be helping the causes of equine research and world hunger in the same night,” said Charles E. Hayward, president and chief executive officer of the New York Racing Association. “Besides raising money for these two charities, the Belmont Bash will undoubtedly raise awareness of the Belmont Stakes two days later.”

Since their formation in the spring of 1998, The Fab Faux have created a buzz among music fans in the New York metropolitan area, filling performance venues with high-energy shows that attract fellow musicians, celebrities and fans alike.

The band consists of Will Lee, Jimmy Vivino, Frank Agnello, Rich Pagano and Jack Petruzzelli. All five are accomplished musicians who have recorded and toured around the world with countless artists.

In addition, Lee is the bassist for Paul Shaffer’s CBS Orchestra on Late Show With David Letterman and Vivino is the guitarist and arranger for the Max Weinberg 7, the house band on Late Night With Conan O'Brien.

Additional information about The Fab Faux is available at http://www.thefabfaux.com.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is a leading provider of equine medical research funding aimed at enhancing the health, safety and soundness of all horses. Located on the Internet at http://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has contributed in excess of $13 million to more than 32 universities for 210 separate projects since 1983.

Founded in 1975, World Hunger Year (WHY) is a leader in the fight against hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. WHY is a not-for-profit registered 501(c)(3) organization founded by radio talk show host and present Executive Director Bill Ayres and the late singer-songwriter Harry Chapin. The WHY Website is http://www.worldhungeryear.org.

Additional information about the event can be obtained by contacting Nancy Kelly at (212) 521-5305 or by e-mail at nkelly@jockeyclub.com.