by Robert Lieberman

Norwood, MA — After the seventh race on April 27 at Plainridge, the crowd in the clubhouse were all holding their ticket stubs with anticipation as the drawing for the five winners of the Kentucky Derby Raffle were going to be announced.

C.O.O. Gary Piontkowski added two more prizes, because of the great number of tickets purchased for the event. The number was somewhere near 25,000 tickets, the biggest number ever in the 11-year history of the event.

The ten charitable and nonprofit groups involved were all hoping that the tickets they sold would be one of the lucky winners.

The announcement was made and the grand prize winner of a $4,000 betting voucher was Frank Antonacci of Lindy Farms of Connecticut. The second prize was for a $1,500 betting voucher and a very surprised winner was present, Patricia LeRoux, Piontkowski’s secretary. The third prize was for a $500 betting voucher and the winner was Ken Jacobs of New Jersey.

The event was a success and Piontkowski and his staff put on an incredible show that was truly enjoyed by everyone on hand.