Make-A-Wish Day returns to Keeneland for 17th time

LEXINGTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — Most Kentuckians will say every race day at Keeneland is special but today means even more for 10 children .

Although it’s just for a few hours, Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland returns for its 17th year, allowing kids with chronic illnesses to escape their struggles and just enjoy being kids.

This year, 10 VIP kids as well as some Make-A-Wish Day alumni will walk the grounds and soak in all the action. It’s a long and busy day, starting with a visit to the saddling paddock.

The rest of the experience includes watching the horses in the paddock, following the thoroughbreds to the winner’s circle, meeting the jockeys, and presenting the julep cup for their race, as well as getting their julep cup as a little memento.

The last 17 years could not be possible without the generosity of local horse farms and Keeneland’s other professional partnerships. Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland has raised more than $1.5 million to help grant more than 150 wishes to children with critical illnesses.

Track officials say it’s amazing to see the connection between the children and the horses, as well as watch the kids be treated like Keeneland royalty or the day.

“I think what’s so special about it is all of the people that rally around it to make it so incredible. Last year, we raised $164,000 and that is a combination of Keeneland support, support from industry partners and local organizations, our employees, and our fans who all donate and give money to create great experiences and to be able to help more wish kids,” said Kara Heissenbuttel, senior director of Community Relations at Keeneland.

Faith Hacker with Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana said part of what makes the day so special for children is the enormous effort by Keeneland officials, including memorizing each child’s name and face so they get a personal greeting whenever they pass by.

“It is just an incredible day. The sponsors roll out the red carpet, Keeneland rolls out the red carpet. They get so excited, and they come down. They spend the day at the track; they often are going and helping pick the horses for the sponsors to place bets on. And it’s just something that, you know, the bond between a Wish child and a horse is something that we would never have imagined,” Hacker said.

Hacker said this year Make-A-Wish is doing something new. In honor of Cody Dorman and the horse Cody’s wish, where they meet at Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland in 2018, they will have local corporate partners come together to launch the first Cody Dorman legacy wish fund as part of Make-a-wish Day at Keeneland.

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“I think it just speaks to the impact of a wish. We never dreamed it was just part of my Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland and when Cody got to visit the farm out at Gainsborough and make Cody’s wish, it was an instant bond. And it’s something that you can’t write and it just illustrates what an impact a wish can have not just on a wish child but on the community overall because it was that impact that Gainsborough and the people at Godolphin saw to create the story of Cody’s Wish,” Hacker said.

If you plan to go to Keeneland today and would like to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, you can do so in the paddock. There is also an option to donate online if you are unable to come.

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