4th Annual Charity “Poker in Paradise” Event Raises Funds to Care for Retired Racehorses
–Tournament to be held on Opening Weekend of the 2011 Del Mar Racing Season–
In support of providing funding for the rehabilitation, retraining and/or retirement of Thoroughbred horses that have raced in California, CARMA will be hosting their 4th annual charity Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, Poker in Paradise, on Saturday, July 23, at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel at 6pm.
CARMA (California Retirement Management Account) is a charitable 501 (c)(3) organization formed to assist Thoroughbred rehabilitation and retirement organizations that facilitate the care and retraining of horses who raced in California and whose racing careers have ended. CARMA ensures the racehorses have retirement options by managing and disbursing funds to qualified retirement facilities caring for such horses.
In support of CARMA’s efforts, attendees of the Poker in Paradise event will enjoy a laid back tropical paradise theme along with heavy appetizers. Guests will mix and mingle with industry elite, including racehorse owners, trainers and jockeys.
“We are extremely proud of the work we’ve done for the horses in our racing community and look forward to the support at this year’s Poker in Paradise event to enable us to continue our work,” said CARMA Board Chair Madeline Auerbach. “The CARMA program has been a proven success in terms of dollars raised and most importantly in the tangible results seen at our benefitting farms and facilities where the horses live. I’ve seen firsthand that the money is being put to good use.”
Individual poker players enter into the Texas Hold ‘Em style tournament with a $200 donation. Poker players are encouraged to bring guests to attend and enjoy the event. Corporate tables for 8 players are available for a $3,000 donation. Additional donation opportunities will be available through on-site opportunity drawings. Register for the event by July 1st and receive a complimentary Clubhouse Pass valid any single day of 2011 Del Mar Meet.
CARMA is funded by individual donations and by their work with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) to adopt a rule allowing for a 0.3 percent deduction from purses to help fund equine retirement. This deduction, one owners can opt-out of, is used to help support equine retirement farms and other non-profit programs that care for and retrain retired Thoroughbred racehorses. To date, CARMA has received support from 80 percent of horse owners.
Since its inception in 2008, CARMA has granted $728,810 which has provided care to hundreds of Thoroughbreds that participated in California races at some point in their career. Over 80 percent of the funds raised by the organization are utilized in the day-to-day care of these horses.
Tickets for the Poker in Paradise event are now available at www.carma4horses.org. For questions please call (626) 574-6622 or email info@CARMA4horses.org. The Del Mar Hilton hotel is located at 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, California 92014. Attendees must be at least 21 years of age.