The Turf Publicists of America confirmed that reservations are still being accepted for the 40th annual "Big Sport of Turfdom" luncheon, when retired Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day will be honored with the award.The event, sponsored by Scientific Games Racing, Keeneland, and Hollywood Park, will be held Monday, Jan. 23 (the afternoon of the Eclipse Awards dinner), with cocktails at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific time) and lunch at noon at Mastro's Steak House in Beverly Hills, California. Luncheon tickets are $100 each. Groups of 10 are discounted to $900. Seating is limited, so the TPA encourages early reservations. Reservations should be made with Jason Bulger, at (310) 242-9512, fax (310) 242-9541, or e-mail: jbulger@tvgnetwork.com.Day, 52, retired in early August after 32 years as a jockey. He now spends his time working with the Race Track Chaplaincy of America.
The Big Sport of Turfdom is presented annually to a person or group of people who enhance coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with the media and Thoroughbred racing publicists. John Servis, trainer of Smarty Jones, won the award in 2004.Day began riding in 1973, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991, and retired as the all-time leader in purse earnings with $297,912,019. He ranks fourth on the all-time victory list with 8,803 and won Eclipse Awards as the nation's outstanding jockey in 1984, 1986, 1987, and 1991. He also won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) with Lil E Tee in 1992, five Preakness Stakes, three Belmont Stakes, and 12 Breeders' Cup races.
