John Minoge. (Santa Anita Photo)
Santa Anita’s Annual Memorial Day Poker Tournament Raises More Than $25,700 For The Folds Of Honor Charity
Proceeds Benefit Spouses And Children Of Fallen Or Disabled Veterans
Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.—As a spectacular weekend of racing drew to a close on Memorial Day Monday, Santa Anita horsemen, horsewomen, handicappers and racing fans came together to raise more than $25,700 to honor fallen or disabled veterans for the 4th annual Folds of Honor charity poker tournament.
“It was fantastic to see this kind of support from our fans, horsemen and horsewomen come together for our veterans and their families,” said Andrew Arthur, Santa Anita Director of Marketing. “Folds of Honor is a tremendous charity and we’re honored to be affiliated with them. Sincere thanks to everyone who participated, it was a lot of fun.”
Among some of the Santa Anita Park participants were prominent owners of Slugo Racing Steve & Nene Gasparelli. Trainers Peter Eurton, Mike Puype and Ryan Hanson. Jockeys Ricky Gonzalez, Edwin Maldonado, Diego Herrera, XBTV’s Jessica Pyfer, Veteran Horseplayer/host of Quigley’s Corner Tom Quigley and Senior Vice President and General Manager Nate Newby.
The winner of the tournament was longtime racing fan turned horse owner John “The Grinder” Minoge who joins the exclusive list of winners including FanDuel TV’s Dave Weaver, Horseplayer Ethan Donelly, and former Breeders’ Cup Chairman Tom Ludt.
“The Folds of Honor Foundation was proud to partner again with Santa Anita Park to Honor the Military and First Responder Families that we serve,” Greg Helm, on behalf of Folds of Honor. “The money raised will help to provide educational scholarships for the spouses and children of the men and women that have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.
“We are blessed by the support of the Santa Anita family and look forward to continuing this Memorial Day tradition.”
Live racing resumes with a 10-race card Saturday with a first post time set for 1 p.m. with admission gates opening at 7:30 a.m., for Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga.
