Horse Racing Celebs Party at Backyard BBQ, For a Cause

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday night, Saratoga’s hottest club was an equine hospital.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) hosted its annual Backyard BBQ event at Rood & Riddle, where horse racing celebs like Maggie Wolfendale, Miguel and Acacia Clement, Katie Davis, and Zoe Cadman convened in support of TRF and its Second Chances Program, which offers incarcerated individuals hands-on vocational training in equine care. 

The event’s guest speaker, Lauren Vanucci, shared her experiences with the program. 

“Thirteen years ago yesterday, just one year out of high school, I was arrested for a DUI accident that severely injured a man,” Vanucci said. “My judge told me that my victim was serving a life sentence, while I only had to serve five years. Hearing those words changed me forever. I went to prison at 20 years old, confused, angry, and lost. I had no idea what my future would look like… I kept holding on to hope that somehow I could turn my life around. I knew I couldn’t wallow in my mistakes forever. I needed to make a change and I needed a way to do it. Then I found out about the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances Program.”

Vanucci credited the program with teaching her valuable skills and giving her a viable path forward in life. She launched a career as an exercise rider before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Business Management from the College of Central Florida. Today, she runs her own horse photography business, Figure 8 Media.

The BBQ bash was TRF’s biggest and final event of the summer. In addition to live music, food, drinks, and a silent auction, tours of the equine hospital were also offered.