by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Jimmy Caraluzzi, 22, a recent Rutgers University graduate working as a groom for his father, Joe, while looking for professional employment, turned in a time of 3:37.57 for the 26.2 miles of the Philadelphia Marathon on November 18, and raised $2,080 for the Standardbred Retirement Foundation in the process.

Caraluzzi was running his very first marathon and asked for pledges to benefit the SRF, exceeding his $2,000 goal, about $80 a mile. Caraluzzi’s run comes at a time when the SRF has an anonymous donor matching all donations dollar for dollar until the end of the year, so Caraluzzi’s run is actually worth $4,160 to the SRF, which is caring for over 100 horses.

“We are very grateful to Jimmy,” said SRF Treasurer Judith Bokman. “Fundraisers like this are so very helpful in allowing us to use our time to get these horses adopted and follow up on them for life. It is nice to see young blood in racing with a passion for the horses’ welfare.”