Georgia-owned Mucho Macho Man, HOY Wise Dan to be Honored at Saratoga Gala

Mucho Macho Man * Coglianese Photo

Continuing their tradition of paying homage to great Thoroughbreds and their (human) connections, CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services will honor Dean and Patti Reeves’ Mucho Macho Man and Morton Fink’s Wise Dan at the annual gala “An Unbridled Affair” on July 24 in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The Saratoga Springs City Center will be festooned with the colors of the two mighty equine warriors as guests dine, dance and bid on silent and live auction items. CAPTAIN, based in Saratoga County, is a youth agency that meets the emotional, social, academic and urgent needs of scores of youths and their families every day of every year.

Race fans need not be reminded that the two rock star horses each have achieved more to-date than most horse owners ever dream.

Mucho Macho Man: among his many victories, the recipient of the 2013 Secretariat Vox Populi Award won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2013 and his second Sunshine Millions Classic in 2014. In March, he was named Florida-Bred Horse of the Year for 2013.

Wise Dan: reclaimed hearts in Saratoga in 2013, as he won his second consecutive Fourstardave Handicap in 2013. The 2012 and 2013 Eclipse Award winner as Horse of the Year recently recovered from colic surgery and is expected to arrive in Saratoga in mid-July and may race in either the Fourstardave or the Bernard Baruch later in August.

Connections of both horses are expected to attend the CAPTAIN gala; Georgia residents Dean and Patti Reeves have confirmed their attendance to accept accolades on behalf of Mucho Macho Man. The Reeves run Mucho Macho Man as Reeves Thoroughbred Racing in partnership with Stronach Stables. On May 1, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal declared it to be “Mucho Macho Man Day” in the state.

Horse racing insider Patricia Pendergast Novo—whose work on behalf of Saratoga regional charities is well-known—owns Crush & Cask in Saratoga and serves as Chair of An Unbridled Affair. Accomplished Thoroughbred trainer Gary Contessa and his wife, Jennifer, are Honorary Chairs. Racing luminaries Cot and Anne Campbell (Palace Malice/Dogwood Stables) and Sally and Dr. Jim Hill (Seattle Slew) are among the gala’s distinguished Honorary Committee members.

For more information on An Unbridled Affair, to receive a printed invitation or to purchase tickets, please contact Sue Malinowski (smalinowski@captaincares.org) or Jessica Valcik (Jessica@captaincares.org), or call them at CAPTAIN: (518) 371-1185. Seating is limited for this extraordinary event and fans of Mucho Macho Man and Wise Dan are encouraged to reserve before the July 10 RSVP date.