Emerald Downs, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge partner, will host a Hats & Heels Day to benefit The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Puget Sound Affiliate on Washington Oaks Day at Emerald Downs, Aug. 16, in advance of the Aug. 17 Longacres Mile, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race.

The event marks the first activation between a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Partner Track and a Komen affiliate since the announcement that Susan G. Komen would be a non-profit beneficiary for the 25th running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park Oct. 24-25.
 
Hats & Heels Day, developed by Emerald Downs and the Susan G. Komen Puget Sound affiliate, will include a special wagering seminar hosted one hour before the first race at the Trackside Hospitality Tent.
 
$25 Hats & Heels ticket packages are available for advance purchase only and include:
--Track admission
--A reserved grandstand seat
--$5 wagering voucher
--Complimentary beverage ticket
--Tip sheet and wagering guide and goodie bag. 

Emerald Downs will donate $5 from every purchase of the Hats and Heels Package to benefit the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In addition, Emerald Downs has arranged for local equine artist Erica Nordeen to donate several pieces of art promoting breast cancer awareness for auction to benefit the Puget affiliate.
 
“When we learned of the national relationship between the Breeders’ Cup and Susan G. Komen, we were moved to work with an organization that does such important work on a cause that affects so many lives,” said Susie Sourwine, vice president of marketing for Emerald Downs. “We are honored to be the first Breeders’ Cup Challenge Track to have established a relationship with the Puget Sound affiliate for Susan G. Komen.”

The $300,000 Longacres Mile was first run in 1935. This year, for the first time, The Mile is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge. The 2008 winner of the Longacres Mile will earn an automatic berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

"Emerald Downs has always been a great partner of the Breeders’ Cup and we are very pleased that they were the first track to activate our new relationship with Susan G. Komen for the Cure," said Peter Land, chief marketing officer of the Breeders’ Cup.

In July, The Breeders’ Cup announced that, in addition to their continued support of equine charities, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be non-profit beneficiaries of the 25th running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park. The Breeders’ Cup has an established goal of raising a minimum of $250,000 for each charity during the Championship weekend.