Buckwheat Zydeco to Headline TOBA National Awards Dinner

Musical act Buckwheat Zydeco will headline the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association National Awards Dinner set for Sept. 9 at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington. The emcee for the event will be Tony Bentley, former voice of the Fair Grounds and most recently the voice of the High Hope Steeplechase.

"We are pleased to host our National Awards Dinner at the Kentucky Horse Park, one of our country's most important facilities dedicated to the horse," said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA.

Now in its 20th year, the TOBA Awards honor the achievements of Thoroughbred owners in the four major North American racing regions and breeders in 27 states and Canada. Also honored at the dinner are national breeders of the year, national owner of the year, national small breeder of the year and new owner of the year, presented by The Greatest Game.

Buckwheat Zydeco's music is a mixture of Caribbean rhythms, soul, rock and country, and features musical instruments such as the accordion and washboard. Past performers have included Three Dog Night, Clint Black, Blood Sweat & Tears, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Ray Charles, and James Brown.

In addition to the evening's entertainment, a silent auction will feature a John Deere Gator, a VIP package to the Indianapolis 500, a Tempur Pedic mattress, two VIP tickets to the 2005 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club, fishing trips in Naples, Fl., LexMark printers, mare and stallion halters, gift certificates, and much more.

Sponsors of the TOBA National Awards Dinner include Stonestreet Wines, Exclusive Resorts, Chase, Coolmore America, Midlantic Ltd., Darley, Grey Goose, Dodge, Netjets, John Deere, Fedex, Labrot & Graham, The Blood-Horse, The Daily Racing Form and The Greatest Game.