The 10th annual Charity Cup recently took place at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack, which donated the $30,000 prize pool that was split across six local non-profit organizations.
To compete for the funds, each organization selected one horse in six designated races and earned points based on race results.
The group that accumulated the most points, Challenger Miracle Field, received a $10,000 donation and the Charity Cup, thanks to a late push in the final race of the day at the Delaware North-owned-and-operated gaming venue near Rochester, N.Y.
Challenger Miracle Field of Rochester is a sports field located in the nearby town of Webster that was built with the promise of inclusivity, ensuring that individuals with developmental disabilities can enjoy the “teamwork and aliveness of team sports.”
More than 200 attendees representing the six Rochester-area organizations joined together to watch the race unfold.
The runners-up, which split the remaining $20,000 in prize money, were AutismUp ($6,000), Embrace Your Sisters ($4,500), Partnership for Ontario County ($4,500), Sands Cancer Center ($3,000) and CURE Childhood Cancer Association ($2,000).
PHOTO CAPTION: Steve Martin (right), regional director of marketing at both Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack and Hamburg Gaming, presents the Charity Cup and a $10,000 check to Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.