When 3 year-old filly Mystacallie runs at Portland Meadows she’ll be running for more than just purse money, and she’ll be running for more than just owner Cookie Root. Mystacallie has been adopted as 95.5 The Game’s “The People’s Horse”. The Game and their listeners will be honorary owners of Mystacallie. As an honorary owner, listeners will get to experience all the benefits of owning a Thoroughbred, and none of the costs. Fans will get to go to the backside to watch morning workouts, stand in the paddock as the horse prepares to race, and share in the riches. Portland Meadows will match 100% of Mystacallie’s purse earnings through the 2008/2009 season and donate that amount to the charity of 95.5 The Game’s choice-The Oregon National Guard Emergency Relief Fund.
Mystacallie is a lightly raced 3 year old filly that was bred in Oregon by Dr. and Mrs. Jack Root Jr. Their son, Ben Root trains the horse, and is very excited about Mystacallie’s chances at Portland Meadows this season. “She’s a young and inexperienced horse,” said Root. “But she’s got quite a bit of good early speed and we look for her to flourish as she continues to get experience.”
Mystacallie raced twice at Emerald Downs towards the end of the summer, and showed promising speed in both outings. Her first start she was a 37 to 1 long shot and was second for most of the race, but after being very wide on the turn, ended up finishing fifth. Her purse earnings for here fifth place finish were $167, which was 2.5% of the $6700 total purse. Mystacallie is expected to start in an Oregon-bred Maiden Special Weight on opening day at Portland Meadows, Sunday October 5th.
All of the listeners and fans of 95.5 The Game are invited to partake in the activities that come along with being an honorary owner. This includes trips to the barn in the morning to watch training with Ben Root and even feeding the horse its carrots! Track Announcer Jason Beem will lead the visits to the backstretch and will work with Ben Root to keep all honorary owners abreast on how The People’s Horse is doing. To sign up for a backstretch visit, please contact Jason Beem. But the best part of being an honorary owner, means being there in the afternoon, watching her run in the silks of 95.5 The Game, and being in the winner’s circle if Mystacallie can outrun all of her competition. All of the listeners who come out to watch Mystacallie run, will receive a complimentary win photo of themselves and Mystacallie in the winners circle if she is victorious on that day.
Portland Meadows will match all earnings that Mystacallie accrues throughout the 2008-2009 season. A horse’s earnings for a particular race depend on the total purse of that race, and the finishing position of the horse. 1st place earns 55% of the total purse, with 2nd getting 20%, 3rd receiving 15%, 4th getting 7.5%, and 5th receiving 2.5% of the total purse for that race. Portland Meadows will match 100% of what the horse earns in purse money throughout the 2008-2009 season. The donation for the season will be made in a winner’s circle ceremony on closing day which is Tuesday March 24, 2009.
Here is a sample of her potential earnings for a race.
Purse of the race: $5,000
55% winners share: $2,750
Total Earnings for Mystacallie’s owners: $2,750
Amount donated to The Oregon National Guard Emergency Relief Fund for this race: $2,750!
All donations made to The Oregon National Guard Emergency Relief Fun will be donated in the name of the honorary owners, The Fans of 95.5 The Game. James Derby, Director of Programming for The Game is thrilled about the “People’s Horse.” “We’re very excited to be teaming up with Portland Meadows, and we will be rooting Mystacallie on for all of her starts,” said Derby. “We believe strongly in all that Oregon National Guard Emergency Relief Fund does, and we hope that with Mystacallie’s help, we’ll have a great donation to give them at the end of the season.”
The Oregon National Guard Emergency Relief Fund provides support to guard members and their families in emergency situations, especially during periods of deployment. “We’re very flattered that 95.5 The Game and Portland Meadows are teaming up to help during such a challenging time,” said V.P. of Administration of the ERF Richard Wirfs. “We are sending out a brigade very soon, and donations during their conversion to active duty are very helpful.”
There will be a VIP section in the Turf Club for honorary owners from The Game and their families, as well as for members of the Oregon National Guard. Portland Meadows will waive the $3.00 Turf Club admission fee for the VIP seating area on days Mystacallie runs. There will be updates at both www.portlandmeadows.com and www.955thegame.com on Mystacallie’s upcoming races and a running total of her earnings throughout the season.