from Celebrity Farms

Goshen, NY — Celebrity Farms has announced it will donate a percentage of proceeds from Celebrity Secret’s and Celebrity Tribute’s races in the 116th Kentucky Futurity, the final leg of the Trotting Triple Crown, at The Red Mile on Saturday, October 4.

Celebrity Secret’s and Celebrity Tribute’s donations are combined with proceeds from all Celebrity Farms horses racing since the charitable announcement made at The Hambletonian press conference by Celebrity Farms owner Sam Stathis following the untimely passing of 14-year-old Chris Vasiliou.

“My very dear friends, Harry and Mary Vasiliou, lost their son to an incurable disease, which prompted us to evaluate our own lives and to identify a means to assist Chris’ family and many others throughout the world,” says Mr. Stathis. “In sharing a portion of Celebrity Farms’ earnings, and not limiting it to just one race or one horse, through donations and raising awareness, we can provide maximum assistance to the foundation. It’s a very humbling experience for our entire organization.”

Of the 102 eligible foals of 2005 for the 116th Kentucky Futurity, with Celebrity Secret, other standouts include Deweycheatumnhowe, Crazed, and Clerk Magistrate.

In 18 career starts Celebrity Secret has won four races and placed second or third in 11 races. When challenged by Deweycheatumnhowe, Celebrity Secret has come in second place five times, most recently in the World Trotting Derby in Du Quoin, and placed fourth at The Hambletonian.

“Celebrity Secret is poised to have a very big race in the Kentucky Futurity,” adds Mr. Stathis. “He has been training well and is ready to give Dewey another run for the money.”

Staffan Lind trains Celebrity Secret, a son of Yankee Glide, at Celebrity Farms in Goshen, N.Y.

Leading up to the race at The Red Mile, Celebrity Farms will be hosting a Sale Party on Friday, October 3, at 8:00 p.m. at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion. In addition, a VIP brunch will take place on Saturday, October 4, at 9:00 a.m. under the tent at The Red Mile Clubhouse that will be hosted by Mr. Stathis and feature superstar Lee Majors, most recognized for his role as Colonel Steve Austin on “The Six Million Dollar Man,” among other celebrities. The appearance by Majors will assist Celebrity Farms in promoting the foundation and Celebrity Farms’ slogan: Better, Stronger, Faster!

The primary focus for Celebrity Farms throughout the 116th Kentucky Futurity will be on raising awareness and funds for The Chris Vasiliou Memorial Foundation. Just a teenager, Vasiliou passed away from complications from vasculitis in July. According to the Vasculitis Foundation Web site: “Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels, arteries, veins or capillaries. When such inflammation occurs, it causes changes in the walls of blood vessels, such as weakening and narrowing that can progress to the point of blood vessel blockage.”

Celebrity Farms was quick to respond to the needs of the Vasiliou family and hopes to provide assistance to others stricken with the disease. For more information regarding The Chris Vasiliou Memorial Foundation, to make a donation or to volunteer, please contact The Chris Vasiliou Memorial Foundation, c/o Polo Electric Corp., 497 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013-1311, call (212) 627-8220 or visit www.celebrityfarms.com.