4^th 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 4^th 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 1^st 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.

          California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) and Santa Anita Park are pleased to announce the establishment of a permanent office at the historic track.  CARMA has hired a full-time Executive Director as the next step in providing funds for the care and retraining of California’s retired racehorses. Lucinda Mandella, as CARMA’s new Executive Director, will head the organization’s fundraising and awareness efforts.

A graduate of the University of Arizona’s Racetrack Industry Program, Mandella has spent the last 14 years as Director of Owner Services for the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), where she headed that organization’s successful continuing education program and provided on-track liaison services for owners. Mandella also worked closely with Thoroughbred owner and breeder Madeline Auerbach in founding CARMA in late 2007.

“CARMA has raised the bar in terms of funding for our retired racehorses,” said Mandella. “I am honored that Madeline and the CARMA board have entrusted me with the responsibility of taking the organization to the next level.”

Santa Anita Park has generously donated office space to give CARMA a permanent home at the Great Race Place. “We are thrilled and delighted that Santa Anita will be CARMA’s home,” said Auerbach, who serves as CARMA’s board chair. “There is nowhere else we would rather be.”

“There is no greater cause in our industry than taking care of our retired horses,” said Santa Anita President George Haines.  “We applaud CARMA’s efforts these past three years and on behalf of the entire industry here in California, we thank them for their hard work and dedication. 

“We’re happy to be able to provide them with a permanent home here at Santa Anita and we congratulate Lucinda on her promotion to Executive Director.  We wish her and the organization all the best in the future.”

CARMA, a 501c3 non-profit, raises money for retired Thoroughbred racehorses that have raced in California. It also has a seat on the NTRA Safety Alliance’s aftercare subcommittee, which works toward a national solution to issues surrounding retired racehorses.

CARMA is run by an independent board of directors and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement, and working to unify the industry in support of retiring equine athletes. For more information, visit CARMA’s website at www.carma4horses.org.

Charity Texas Hold ’Em Tournament “Poker in Paradise” Raises Funds to Care for Retired Racehorses at 3rd Annual Event

Tournament to be held on Opening Weekend of the 2010 Del Mar Racing Season

San Diego, CA, June 7, 2010 — 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 3rd annual charity Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, Poker in Paradise, sponsored by TVG-Betfair, on Saturday, July 24, at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel at 6pm.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                            CONTACT:     Lucinda Mandella

Arcadia, CA – April 12, 2008                                                                    

CARMA Retirement Roundtable Produces Immediate Results

The first retirement roundtable hosted on April 8^th by the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) at Santa Anita Racetrack was a success, particularly for one injured racehorse in Northern California.  CARMA Board members stepped up to pay for a necessary surgery for Fabuloso, a 4-year-old filly by Smoke Glacken with a hind ankle fracture. Her prognosis for a full recovery and life in a second career is excellent.

Fabuloso’s fate was brought to the attention of the group by Bonnie Adams of CANTER (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses).  She joined more than 40 representatives of retirement and rescue organizations.  Participants included Caroline Betts of Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Grace Belcuore of CERF, Pricilla Clark of Tranquility Farm, Dawn Mellen of After the Finish Line, Joell Dunlap of Square Peg Foundation, Helen Meredith of United Pegasus Foundation, Susan Schwartz of Heaven Can Wait, and Karin Wagner of Neigh Savers Foundation.  Representing CARMA were Madeline Auerbach, Board Chair, board member Jan Hawthorne, Marsha Naify, Vice Chair, and Executive Director Lucinda Mandella. 

Also in attendance was Dr. Jaymie Noland of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, who presented information on a pilot program currently underway to evaluate and place ex-racehorses. Currently, two horses are being evaluated by students on conformation, medical condition and injuries, soundness, and temperament.  Once the evaluation is complete the horses will be available for sale into appropriate careers.  The goal is to build a program that can be duplicated in other university systems. 

CARMA’s goal in hosting the “Racehorse Retirement Roundtable” was to bring together representatives from non-profit groups working to save ex-racehorses. Discussions focused on the long-term plans of the major retirement facilities in California for perpetual operation, networking and communication between retirement groups, and resources for improved operation and efficiency by non-profit groups. 

Auerbach stressed the importance of all the organizations working together and supporting each other in trying to do what is best for the horses.  The discussion focused on how that goal can be achieved.  “We have to put our differences aside and do what is best for the horses.  I have no doubt that everyone in this room is as big a horse-lover as I am,” said Auerbach.  “They have to come first.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                            CONTACT:     Lucinda Mandella

Arcadia, CA –September 1, 2009                                                                 

CARMA Raises Over $80,000 at Second Annual Event

Despite a downturn in the economy and everyone thinking “budget”, the Del Mar horse crowd dug into their pockets on August 13 to raise money for retired racehorses.  CARMA’s (California Retirement Management Account) Second Annual “CARMA Cares Charity Fundraiser” sponsored by TVG-Betfair at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel was enjoyed by more than 200 owners, trainers, jockeys and fans.  The evening included a silent auction and charity poker tournament.

Al Michaels, a regular fixture at the Del Mar races and DMTC President Joe Harper’s brother in law, won the Texas Hold ‘em style poker tournament, with owner Mike Mellon, finishing a very close second.  This year’s tournament raised over $41,000.

The silent auction, which raised more than $40,000, had over 90 items.  Generous donors contributed such notable items as a LA Lakers jersey signed by Andrew Bynum, a large collection of racing and horse art, and a private dinner at Pamplemousse Grille in Solana Beach.

CARMA Chair, Madeline Auerbach, acknowledged the vital role of the many dedicated volunteers. “So many people donated items for the auction, and we had more than a dozen people assisting throughout the day and evening,” said Auerbach.  “They were instrumental in making the evening a success, and CARMA can’t thank them enough.”

All CARMA donations will be used to help care for retired racehorses whose careers have ended after competing in California Thoroughbred races.  Through a detailed grant process, facilities that care for such Thoroughbreds may apply for funding on an annual basis.  Last year, CARMA awarded more than $150,000 to a variety of charities that retire and retrain ex-racehorses.  After such a successful fundraising event, CARMA is looking forward to the grant process which begins in September.  The 2009 grants will be presented in December, during the Santa Anita race meet.

CARMA is run by an independent board of directors, chaired by Madeline Auerbach, and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement and working to unify the industry in support of retiring equine athletes.  For more information, visit CARMA’s website at www.carma4horses.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                            CONTACT:     Lucinda Mandella

Arcadia, CA –December 20, 2009                                                                   

CARMA Allocates More Than $260,000 to Retired Horses

At its November board meeting, the CARMA Board voted to give $264,000 to twelve different charitable organizations caring for retired California racehorses.  This figure is an increase of approximately 50% from the amount granted in 2008, its first year of fundraising.  Last year, after only 6 months of operation, CARMA was able to grant $150,450 to eight charities.  The predominant source of funding is a .03% deduction from purses that goes directly to CARMA.  Owners do have the ability to opt out of the program, but most owners, close to 80%, participate.

“We are extremely proud of the work we have done over the past 12 months. These funds will help buy much needed hay, feed and medications etc.  Hopefully this will give a financial cushion to each of the charities,” said CARMA Board Chair Madeline Auerbach.  “Not only has the CARMA program proven to be successful in terms of dollars raised, we’re able to see a tangible difference at the farms and facilities where the horses live.  As we go out and visit organizations throughout the year, our directors are seeing the money put to work.”

On December 26^th, CARMA will present each of the charities with a check.  Thanks to the generosity of Santa Anita’s president, and CARMA board member, Ron Charles, CARMA will host a day at the races for grant recipients, including lunch in Front Runner Restaurant and a winner’s circle presentation.

Organizations receiving funding include CANTER – CA, California Equine Retirement Foundation, Equine Encore Foundation, Glen Ellen Vocational Academy, Harmony & Hope Horse Haven, Heaven Can Wait, Inc., Neigh Savers Foundation, Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Square Peg Foundation, Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Tranquility Farm, and United Pegasus Foundation. 

CARMA is run by an independent board of directors, chaired by Madeline Auerbach, and is responsible for hosting fundraising events, educating owners and trainers on equine retirement and working to unify the industry in support of retiring equine athletes.  For more information, visit CARMA’s website at www.carma4horses.org.

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