Welcome to year eight of the Brooklyn Backstretch Kentucky Derby charity league!
We had a banner year in 2015, raising more than $3,000 for racing charities across the country. For the first time, we were able to award donation money to the top three finishers, resulting in an impressive breadth and number of organizations that received contributions.
Kay Marie Patterson, our California-based winner, chose Harmony and Hope Horse Haven (Thoroughbred Charities Charity of the Month for April 2015); Neigh Savers; Remember Me Rescue; and The Moore Foundation (which funds the care and feeding of the cats that live year-round at the Oklahoma training facility in Saratoga) as the recipients of her donations. She also donated some of her own money to the care and feeding of the Belmont backstretch cats.
Runner-up John Perotti (who won in 2014) designated Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue and the Belmont Child Care Association.
Third-place finisher Gene Kershner chose Thorofan.
Over the seven years we’ve done this, we’ve raised more than $7,000 for racing charities; past recipients include Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Days’ End Horse Rescue, Our Mims, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, and ReRun.
Back when we started, I pledged $75 to the charity of the winner’s choice. Quickly, pledges and donations from participants followed, in impressive, generous amounts. As always, there’s no entry fee to play, but donations are very welcome, in any amount.
Every dollar donated goes straight to the charities, and information on pledging can be found below.
Here’s how it works:
Select a fantasy stable consisting of 12 Triple Crown-nominated 3-year-old horses. Horses earn points with top-4 finishes in official Kentucky Derby qualifying races, racing in the Kentucky Derby, and a top-5 finish in the Kentucky Derby.
Points will be allocated according to the Kentucky Derby points system. Kentucky Derby starters will earn an additional 30 points each; Kentucky Derby points will be, for finishes in the top 5, 300-120-60-30-15.
Mike Dorr, who writes about racing at Up the Track, and I have divided the Triple Crown-nominated horses into three groups based on criteria including current Derby points standings, graded stakes earnings, and Derby future wagering odds.
Players will choose for their stable:
- 3 Group A horses
- 4 Group B horses
- 5 Group C horses
The groups are available in this Google doc. You must select and post your stable by this Saturday, February 20, by 12:00 PM CST.
Important note: Songbird, though listed as an “A,” is not Triple Crown nominated, but partner Mike Dorr really wanted her in his stable, so we made an exception. Choose her at your peril. (Updated 11 am Saturday–and so far, he’s the only one who’s chosen her…)
After the Sunland Park Derby on March 20, the horses will be divided into two groups (D & E, again grouped by performance criteria above) and stables will be able to add:
- 1 Group D horse
- 1 Group E horse
Round 2 of the contest will begin with the UAE Derby on March 26; supplemental horses must be selected by 6:00 PM CDT Friday, March 25. Points earned by Group D and E horses in Round 1 will not count toward the players’ total.
The contest will conclude with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7. The winning stable will have the most accumulated points. In the unlikely event of a tie, ties will be broken as follows:
- Highest # of Derby Starters in your stable
- Highest # of Points at the end of Round 1
A reminder post will go up the week before Round 2 begins.
If you finish in the top 3, you’ll be able to choose the organization(s) to which your prize money is donated. All recipient organizations must be registered 501(C)3 charities and must support the well-being of the humans and animals in Thoroughbred racing or on the backstretch.
If you want to play, please post the names of the horses for your stable in the comments below (if you are a first-time or infrequent commenter here, your post will be held in moderation until I can approve it, which generally happens relatively quickly.)
If you want to pledge/contribute, please leave the amount in the comments or e-mail me at Teresa@brooklynbackstretch.com. We’d love to surpass the amount of money that we raised last year.
Questions? Contact Mike Dorr (mikedorr77@yahoo.com) or me, leave a question in the comments, find us on Twitter (@BklynBckstretch, @mikedorr77).
Good luck, have fun, and let’s do some good for the racing community.
Brooklyn Backstretch 
A-
Airoforce
Mohaymen
Mo Tom
B-
Destin
Greenpointcrusader
Sunny Ridge
Tom’s Ready
C-
Danzing Candy
Frank Conversation
Gun Runner
Matt King Coal
That Makes Sense
A B C
Nyquist Suddenbreakingnews Curlin Rules
Mor Spirit Greenpointcrusader Donegal Moon
Mo Tom Conquest Big E Smokey Image
Collected Awesome Speed
Ralis
Reposting
A
Nyquist
Mor Spirit
Mo Tom
B
Suddenbreakingnews
Greenpointcrusader
Conquest Big E
Collected
C
Curlin Rules
Donegal Moon
Smokey Image
Awesome Speed
Ralis
I’ll e-mail my donation to you directly. My horses:
Group A
Exaggerator
Mohaymen
Mor Spirit
Group B
Cherry Wine
Discreetness
Greenpointcrusader
Toews on Ice
Group C
Economic Model
Gettysburg
Little Mo
Tale of S’avall
Unbridled Outlaw
Thanks, Angelo.
Thanks for doing this again. Count me in for $30.
Group A: Exaggerator, Mohaymen, Mor Spirit
Group B: American Dubai, Conquest Big E, Suddenbreakingnews, Tom’s Ready
Group C: Gun Runner, It’s All Relevant, Smokey Image, Start a War, Unexplained
Thanks for playing again this year, Nicolle, and for the pledge. Good luck!
thank you!
A: Mohaymen, Mor Spirit, Nyquist
B: Flexibility, Vorticity, Sunny Ridge, Shagaf
C: Adventist, Danzing Candy, Cupid, Zulu, Boalt Hall
Teresa, I can’t open the Google file. It says it’s not available
Click on the “three groups” hot link instead of Google.doc
I’m in for $50.
Group A: Brody’s Cause, Mohaymen, Nyquist
Group B: Cherry Wine, Greenpointcrusader, Suddenbreakingnews, Sunny Ridge
Group C: Laoban, Awesome Speed, Awesome Banner, Smokey Image, Gettysburg
I think you’ve done this every year, Linda, earning you a lifer award. 🙂 Good luck and thanks for the pledge and all your generosity over the years
Do I get bonus points for dedication? 🙂
Hey, you’re ahead of me!
I think you’ve done this every year, Linda, earning you a lifer award. 🙂 Good luck and thanks for the pledge and all your generosity over the years
Jill Lammey – Donation $100.00
Group A
Mohaymen
Nyquist
Flexibility
Group B
Greenpointcrusader
Cherry Wine
Dolphus
Suddenbreakingnews
Group C
Awesome Banner
Billy’s Kitten
Smokey Image
Frank Conversation
Kelly Tough
Good luck, Jill! Thanks so much for the generous pledge.
Put me down for $30
A – Airoforce, Flexibility, Mohaymen
B – Conquest Big E, Greeenpointcrusader, Kasseopia, Vorticity
C – Dressed in Hermes, Gift Box, Marengo Road, Synchrony, Urban Bourbon
Thanks for coming back for another year, Peggi, and for the pledge–
Group A
Mohaymen
Nyquist
Airoforce
Group B
Suddenbreakingnews
Destin
Conquest Big E
Dolphus
Group C
Bird Song
Admirably
Gettysburg
It’s the Ice
King Kranz
That should be Mohayman as my first pick if you could edit it for me please
Done.
leaving my picks again with spelling corrections, due to auto correct
Group A
Mohayman
Nyquist
Airoforce
Group B
Suddenbreakingnews
Destin
Conquest Big E
Dolphus
Group C
Bird Song
Admiralty
Gettysburg
Its The Ice
King Kranz
Even though I “faded in the stretch” in 2015, count me in for $50.
Group A: Mo Tom, Mohaymen, Mor Spirit
Group B: Dazzling Gem, Shagaf, Vortcity, Whitmore
Group C: Awesome Speed, Cupid, Danzing Candy, Mt. Veeder, Rally Cry
Thanks for the pledge, Gary– you lost nothing in defeat last year. 🙂
A: Mohaymen, Nyquist, Zulu
B: Hit It A Bomb, Riker, Shagaf, Sunny Ridge
C: Danzing Candy, Frank Conversation, Lani, Rally Cry, Smokey Image
Count me in for $50.
Group A: Airoforce, Mohaymen, Mor Spirit.
Group B: Conquest Big E, Suddenbreakingnews, Tusk, Vorticity.
Group C: Charmed Victory, Esposito, Marengo Road, Realm, Tale Of S’avall,
Thanks for getting that former Ranger into your stable…and for the pledge.
Put us in for $100
A Moyhayman, Nyquist, Zulu
B American Dubai, Dolphus, Greenpointcrusader, Whitmore
C Candy My Boy, Memory of Winter, Mooose, Riddler, Ziconic
Welcome, you guys! We love first-time players! Good luck and thanks for the generous pledge!
Mohaymen
Mor Spirit
Brody’s Cause
Greenpointcrusader
Shagaf
Sunny Ridge
Denman’s Call
Bistraya
Smokey Image
Uncle Walter
Uncle Lino
Gun Runner
$100
Thanks, Jesse! Good luck!
A- Mor Spirit, Mohaymen, Exaggerator
B- Shagaf, Suddenbreakingnews, Greenpointcrusader, Denman’s Call
C- Gun Runner, Its All Relevant, Candy My Boy, Uncle Lino, Awesome Banner
I’ll pledge $100
Thanks for the pledge, Michael, and for playing again this year. Good luck!
A:Nyquist, Mohaymen, Swipe
B:Sunny Ridge, Greenpointcrusader, Suddenbreakingnews, Discreetness
C:Frank Conversation, Uncle Lino, Let’s Meet In Rio, I’malreadythere, Found Money
$100
Group A:
Mohaymen
Swipe
Exaggerator
Group B:
Whitmore
Cherry Wine
Vorticity
Destin
Group C:
Doctor Mounty
Glenn Coco (!!!)
Southside Warrior
Uncle Walter
Uncle Lino
Thanks, Dana!
Last minute substitution request! In group A I’d like to swap Swipe for Mo Tom… thanks!
Donation: $50
A: Mo Tom, Mohaymen, Airoforce
B: American Dubai, Greenpoint Crusader, Tom’s Ready, Vorticity
C: Awesome Speed, Danzing Candy, Gift Box, Gettysburg, Uncle Lino
Welcome back, fellow Rangers fan. Good luck to you and the boys in blue, and thanks for the contribution.
I pledge $50. Here we go!
Chris O’Connor
A: Mohaymen, Brody’s Cause, Mor Spirit
B: Suddenbreakingnews, American Dubai, Denman’s Call, Kasseopia
C: Economic Model, Awesome Speed, Danzing Candy, Gun Runner, Drefong
Thanks, Chris, for playing and the donation. Good luck!
Always look forward to this…Count me in for $100 donation
A: Mohaymen, Nyquist, Airoforce
B: Suddenbreakingnews,Greenpointcrusader,Destin, Conquest Big E
D: Zulu, Danzing Candy, Awesome Banner, Synchrony, Uncle Lino
Welcome back, Robert! So glad you’re playing and thanks for being so generous.
Donation: $50
A: Mohaymen, Brody’s Cause, Zulu
B: Shagaf, Whitmore, Destin, Sunny Ridge
C: Awesome Banner, Cupid, Awesome Speed, Gun Runner, Rally Cry
Thanks, Cindy, for playing and for the pledge. Good luck!
$50 for me Teresa.
A: Nyquist, Mor Spirit, Mohaymen
B: Greenpointcrusader, Whitmore, Tom’s Ready, Shagaf
C: Awesome Banner, Danzing Candy, Gun Runner, Uncle Walter, French Getaway
Thanks to you and Mike for all the hard work organizing!
Thanks for donating and for playing, Matt–great to see you back this year.
$150 pledge, with 2x if I come in first or last place.
A: Airoforce, Exaggerator, Mohaymen
B: American Dubai, Conquest Big E, Tom’s Ready, Suddenbreakingnews
C: Danzing Candy, Bistraya, Gun Runner, Get Jets, Mo Power
Wow, Scott– that’s a way to get people rooting for you. Thank you!
Group A: Mo Tom, Mohaymen, Mor Spirit
Group B: Cherry Wine, Greenpointcrusader, Suddenbreakingnews, Sunny Ridge
Group C: Danzing Candy, Awesome Speed, Frank Conversation, Gun Runner, Uncle Walter
In for $50
Group A:
Exaggerator
Mohaymen
Mor Spirit
Group B:
Cherry Wine
Shagaf
Tom’s Ready
Whitmore
Group C:
Awesome Speed
Danzing Candy
Economic Model
Frank Conversation
Gun Runner
Welcome to the game, Karen, and good luck! Thank you so much for donating.
A: Mohaymen, Brody’s Cause, Mor Spirit
B: GREENPOINTCRUSADER, CHERRY WINE, Shagaf, Vorticity
C: Gift Box, Gettysburg, Danzing Candy, Smokey Image, Gun Runner
$100
Welcome back, Mike! Thanks for the generous pledge and good luck!
A: Brody`s Cause, Airoforce, Mohaymen
B: Shagaf, Destin, Suddenbreakingnews, Greenpointcrusader
C. Gun Runner, Rally Cry, Awesome Speed, Awesome Banner, Lets Meet in Rio
$50
Thanks, Dean, for playing and for the pledge.
Adding stables for the folks who e-mailed them to me instead of posting here:
Robby Boswell:
Mo Tom
Mohaymen
Mor Spirit
Suddenbreakingnews
Sunny Ridge
Tom’s Ready
Whitmore
Annual Report
Candy My Boy
Casigordo
Pinnacle Peak
Torrontes
Mark Hennig:
Group A: Airoforce, Mohayem, Nyquist.
Group B: Cherry Wine, Dazzling Gem, Shagaf, Suddenbreakingnews
Group C: Awesome Banner, Danzing Candy, Frank Conversation, Gun Runner, Uncle Walter.
Alan Denkenson:
Airoforce,Zulu,Mohaymen
SuddenBreakingNews….Greenpoint Crusader, Discreetness, Toews On Ice
Esposito, Fetisov,I will Score,Snow Fighter,Hatter
Hank Adams:
A Nyquist Mohaymen Airoforce
B Greenpointcrusader Toews on ice Dolphus Whitmore
C Billy’s kitten Gettysburg Danzing candy Prospectus Ziconic
Hi Teresa,
Count me in for $100. Looking forward to it!
Mo Tom
Mohaymen
Nyquist
Greenpointcrusader
Shagaf
Suddenbreakingnews
Tom’s Ready
Adventist
Conquest Windycity
Outwork
Uncle Lino
Vulcan’s Forge
Thanks, Justin–appreciate the pledge and welcome to the game.
Here are stables for people who e-mailed me instead of posting here:
Hank Adams:
A Nyquist Mohaymen Airoforce
B Greenpointcrusader Toews on ice Dolphus Whitmore
C Billy’s kitten Gettysburg Danzing candy Prospectus Ziconic
Alan Denkenson
Airoforce,Zulu,Mohaymen
SuddenBreakingNews….Greenpoint Crusader, Discreetness, Toews On Ice
Esposito, Fetisov,I will Score,Snow Fighter,Hatter
Mark Henning
Group A: Airoforce, Mohayem, Nyquist.
Group B: Cherry Wine, Dazzling Gem, Shagaf, Suddenbreakingnews
Group C: Awesome Banner, Danzing Candy, Frank Conversation, Gun Runner, Uncle Walter.
Robby Boswell
Mo Tom
Mohaymen
Mor Spirit
Suddenbreakingnews
Sunny Ridge
Tom’s Ready
Whitmore
Annual Report
Candy My Boy
Casigordo
Pinnacle Peak
Torrontes
Good luck to all, and thank you so much for your pledges, too.
A – Brody’s Cause, Mohaymen, Mor Spirit
B – Cherry Wine, Destin, Shagaf, Greenpointcrusader
C – Awesome Banner, Battery, Conquest Windycity, Gun Runner, That Makes Sense
$100
Let’s see if I can hit the board three years in a row. My pledge is $100, I’ll make it $200 if I win. Good luck everyone!
Group A:
Exaggerator
Mohaymen
Mor Spirit
Group B:
Dazzling Gem
Greenpointcrusader
Shagaf
Whitmore
Group C:
Awesome Speed
Danzing Candy
Economic Model
Gun Runner
Uncle Walter
$50
A: Mohaymen, Mor Spirit, Exaggerator
B: Flexibility, Kasseopia, Shagaf, Suddenbreakingnews
C: Annals of Time, Catapult, Economic Model, It’s All Relevant, Never Gone South
Thanks again, Teresa for doing this. I pledge $100, double should I win.
A: Exaggerator, Mor Spirit, Nyquist
B: American Dubai, Shagaf, Suddenbreakingnews, Whitmore
C: Bistraya, Gun Runner, Matt King Coal, Smokey Image, Uncle Walter
I’m in for $50
A: Mohaymen, Mor Spirit, Airoforce
B: Greenpointcrusader, Suddenbreakingnews, Sunny Ridge, Tom’s Ready
C: Gettysburg, Gun Runner, Frank Conversation, Danzig Candy, Uncle Lino
I’m in for $50
A: Airoforce, Mohaymen, Mor Spirit
B: Greenpointcrusader, Suddenbreakingnews, Sunny Ridge, Tom’s Ready
C: Danzig Candy, Gettysburg, Frank Conversation, Uncle lino
Group A:
Brody’s Cause
Zulu
Nyquist
Group B:
Cherry Wine
Destin
Shagaf
Tom’s Ready
Group C:
Gun Runner
Vulcan’s Forge
Siding Spring
Conquest Windycity
Forevamo
Happy to participate again. I pledge $50.
A: Airoforce, Mohaymen, Nyquist
B: Destin, Shagaf, Cherry Wine, Collected
C: Annual Report, Awesome Speed, Isotherm, Percolator, Lani
Should be fun. I’ll get in for $50…
Group A:
Airoforce
Mohaymen
Mor Spirit
Group B:
Destin
Suddenbreakingnews
Toes on Ice
Whitmore
Group C:
All World
Gettysburg
Isotherm
Matt King Coal
Synchrony
Not sure if it posted the first time. I’m in for $50…
Group A:
Airoforce
Mohaymen
Mor Spirit
Group B:
Destin
Suddenbreakingnews
Toes on Ice
Whitmore
Group C:
All World
Gettysburg
Isotherm
Matt King Coal
Synchrony
Mo Tom & Suddenbreakingnews