On a beautiful late summer evening we celebrated the 5th ever
RED RABBIT RACING AWARDS DINNER!
Over 30 people attended this marquee event, this time hosted at Princess Rabbit's (Kathys) house. The coveted invitation left shows a full slate of activities that made this Awards Dinner the best conducted to date.
All the partners were there except Babe Rabbit, who had a concert to attend. She was missed. Several 1st time attendees graced the event including David & Pat Block, Breeders Cup Classic Winner Trainer Dee Polous, sister Dianna and one of Dee's owners Homer Schaefer. Also artist Kritine Plum & husband Roy, along with AP Chart Caller Dave Miller & Pinky made their debut appearance.
AP Track Handicapper Jessica Pacheco & cinematographer Stephanie Foresta also arrived bearing
THE 7TH EDITION OF THEIR ACCLAIMED RACEHORSE SERIES WHICH THEY WORLD PREMIERED AT OUR PARTY!
What an honor that was I can tell you..... But we will come back to that.
The evening unfolded with appetizers and then Princess Rabbit laid on a fine feast catered from local favourite Nino's. As we ate outside in the Back Garden, previous RRR Highlight Videos going back to 2005 were playing on the monstrous TV bringing back many a treasured memory.
After the warm-up video's we jumped immediately into the 2013 Red Rabbit Racing Quiz. Three teams were created and recorded their answers to 20 questions with an additional tie breaker that proved not to be needed.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE QUIZ YOURSELF
The "General Charley" team prevailed by answering 14 of the questions correctly. The team was headed up by Money Rabbit (Jean) and Trainer Pessin.
Following the Quiz, it was time to bring Artist Kristine Plum up to the dais. There she unveiled the commissioned portrait she had painted of the immortal 2010 Arlington Park Champion General Charley, pictured in his retirement pasture alongside Princess Rabbit's storied cat, Whirlaway.
The portrait captures the power and nobility of the General and exceeded every expectation that I had. It will be displayed proudly in my home until my death, at which time it will be transferred to the Red Rabbit Racing Hall Of Champions Horse Park Pavilion (not yet constructed) at Riverwoods Farm in El Paso Illinois.
Next, and certainly not on the agenda, was the surprise premiere showing of Edition 7 of the RaceHorse series delivered in person by the Director/Producer and Cinematographer. This was a true honor and we moved the party inside to avail ourselves of the booming audio system where we could all hear and see this presentation. Jessica Pacheco and Stephanie Foresta have done an excellent job all summer long in telling the story of the ups & downs of 5 stables at Arlington Park.
ON PAGE BOTTOM SEE EPISODE 7 OF "RACEHORSE" FEATURING RED RABBIT RACING
After the excitement died down following the surprise Premiere, it was time to call Jeff Rabbit to the stage for his all important Keynote speech outlining our achievements and strategies as we go forward. This tradition goes back to our 1st awards dinner and Jeff did not disappoint.
He thanked everyone for their contribution and recounted the highlights of this year that included running successfully at the $100,000 claim level, being the subjects of a summer long video series called RaceHorse, and lodging a Big Win out of state.
He then told a great story about being overcome with emotion following the Hopsters win back in March when alone in his car, he wept and hugged his steering wheel in his car, overjoyed with the Hopsters performance. A great moment.
A hush then fell over the crown as everyone realized we had now reached the all important Awards Presentation. This year we began a new tradition by following the lead of the Academy Awards. However our Awards are not called the Oscars, they are called:
THE ORASMO'S
named in honor of Red Rabbit Racing Master Groom Orasmo, who has tirelessly cared for most of our steeds. In fact, Orasmo himself won the most coveted Orasmo Award of Most Valuable Player for the love, and protection he showed our Hops during the thunderous July 4th fireworks celebration held at Arlington Park. For the entire barrage he held Hops by the Halter closely to his own face to keep him calm. Our Orasmo is truly a great Horseman, a Great Man and our friend.
The actual Orasmo trophy is a beautiful, ornate jewel, emblazoned on both sides with Orasmo's face and the famous Red Rabbit Racing logo on the base.
All the categories, the nominees and the winners are listed below.
- MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
- And the Orasmo Goes To: Orasmo
- MOST COURAGEOUS & TOUGH
- And the Orasmo Goes To: Eddie Perez
- EXCELLENCE IN CINEMATIC ACHIEVEMENT
- And the Orasmo Goes To: Jessica Pacheco & Stephanie Foresta
- MOST EXCITED ABOUT THE AWARDS DINNER
- And the Orasmo Goes To: Agent Tom Morgan
- NICEST PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS
- And the Orasmo Goes To: Trainer Dee Polous & Trainer Mickey Goldfine
- THE DELIVERING THE BACON AWARD
- And the Orasmo Goes To: Drew "Big Country" Coontz
- NEWEST FRIEND AWARD
- And the Orasmo Goes To: AP Chart Caller Dave Miller
- ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT
- And the Orasmo Goes To: Artist Kristine Plum
- INDUSTRY TITAN AWARD
- And the Orasmo Goes To: David & Patricia Block
Following each award, the winners made a short speech, with some so overcome with emotion they could barely produce a word. Congratulations to all.
Following the Awards Presentation there was but one matter of business left and that was the debut of the 2013 Red Rabbit Racing Highlights video which can be seen below. It was well received but truly overshadowed by the Premier showing of the RaceHorse video.
THANKS TO ALL FOR A GREAT RUN WITH THE HOPSTER AND HERE'S HOPING THERE WILL BE ANOTHER AWARDS DINNER IN 2014!
