Derby Trail Forums - HOFF'S 'Recorder' Column

Thought everyone would want to read Hickory's Amsterdam (NY) Recorder column about Suzie O'Cain's Breast Cancer Research fund-raising efforts with Call Me Larry and her Find a Cure Stable.. We've been following the progress on ATRAB closely, and the concept is gaining momentum... Nice job Mark!

AT THE POST - by Mark Hoffman (4/21/07)

Since we get a little break from the Triple Crown trail this weekend, I'd
like to talk about a great cause I learned about a few weeks ago. Breast
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women in this country;
over two million women living in the United States have been treated for it.
Unfortunately, there are some people and families I know that have been
affected by it. It will be five years this September, that my sister-in-law;
Kathy past away from the dreaded disease. At age 40, she was full of life
and within one year that she was diagnosed; breast cancer had taken her
life. Good people connected with thoroughbred racing and the Breast Cancer
Research Foundation has teamed up to help find a way to rid this disease
through the "sport of kings".

Last summer during the "AM Saratoga" show on Capital OTB, I saw a
interview with Suzie O'Cain, who is co-owner with her husband; C. Lynwood
"Doc" O'Cain of Highcliff Farm in nearby Delanson, New York. She talked
about a venture she and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation was going to be doing with thoroughbred racing. They started the "Find a Cure" Stable and in the near future were going to have a thoroughbred horse run in their
name. The proceeds from the purse money would go toward research in finding a cure for breast cancer. A few months later, they got their first horse whose name was "Call me Larry" and the "Find the Cure" was ready to go. He ran second in his debut and on March 10th, he won his first race for a very happy group of people. The white and pink silks with the all familiar
"breast cancer" ribbon had made the first step in what is hope to be many
more times in the winners circle.

This is just the beginning and with radio interviews on "At the races and
beyond" and help from other owners across the country and also trainers, the
stable will undoubtedly grow. Suzie has also gotten help from former "first
lady of New York" Libby Pataki and the Estee Lauder company. Just this past
Thursday at Gulfstream Park, the colors of "Find a Cure" stable were running
in the 8th race on the turf. The horse; "Phil the Power" trained by Joe
Orseno and owned by John Perrotta was the second "official" runner for this
worthwhile organization. With the up coming Saratoga meet only a few months away, events are now being planned with the stable and hopefully a group of survivors from this disease will be present if Call me Larry runs at the Spa.

This is a great undertaking being done by Suzie and her group. The people
who love thoroughbred racing and want to support a worthwhile cause like
this are going to feel the excitement of this sport and in turn help give
donations toward research in finding a cure that effects as all. For more
information about "Find a Cure" stable and how you too can help, check out
the website; www.bcrfcure.org or check out this link for more about Larry
and his quest for the group; http://www.bcrfcure.org/eve_07_0310_callmelarry.html

If anyone has been affected by breast cancer or has lost a love one and
enjoys thoroughbred racing, you'll find this venture a very rewarding one.