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They're Off! Luncheon

Location:
Galt House East Grand Ballroom

Event Date:
04/16/2010

Time:
11:30 AM Reception, Doors open at 11:15 AM

Tickets:
$608 for table of 8 or $76 each. (Limited Availability)

Event Chair:
Harry Dennery

Sponsored By:
Norton Healthcare

Contributing Sponsors:
Business First

Links:
Silver Horseshoe Award Recipients
History
Past Speakers

Veteran journalist Robin Roberts was the guest speaker for the 53rd annual They're Off! Luncheon in 2009. Roberts addressed more than 2,000 Festival supporters and patrons in attendance at the grand community tradition..

First held in 1957, the second year of the Derby Festival, the They're Off! Luncheon serves as the time-honored kickoff to each year's Festival. Roberts joins Dick Vitale, Terry Bradshaw, Bill Walton, Greg Gumbel, Magic Johnson, Larry King, Bob Costas, Cawood Ledford, Phil Simms and Howard Cosell in a long list of luminaries who have entertained They're Off! Luncheon audiences for the past 53 years.

Roberts is now part of a long list of sports figures, broadcasters, legends and motivators who have entertained They're Off! Luncheon audiences for more than 50 years. Other past Luncheon speakers have included James Earl Jones, Bill Walton, Magic Johnson, Rick Pitino, Denny Crum, Hank Aaron, Bob Costas, George Plimpton, Dan Jansen, Al McGuire, Phil Simms, Mike Ditka and Bettina Gregory.

Also at the luncheon is the presentation of the Silver Horseshoe Award, given annually to a group or individual who has made significant contributions to the Thoroughbred racing industry/service to the community.

The 2009 Silver Horseshoe recipient was the late filly Eight Belles, who finished runner-up in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, a race run by only 39 fillies in the past. The award was accepted by Ricky and Betsy Porter, owners of Eight Belles. The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation Â the Derby FestivalÂs charitable arm Â presented a check for $5,000 to Thoroughbred Charities of America in memory of Eight Belles.

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