from Saratoga Casino and Raceway

Saratoga Springs, NY — Saratoga Casino and Raceway is set to welcome Saratoga Springs Police Department Equine Officer Jupiter during the sixth annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace on Saturday (Aug. 16).

Jupiter, along with his partner, Officer Glenn Barrett, will be on hand for photos and a book signing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the harness track apron.

Barbara D. Livingston photo

Jupiter and Officer Glenn Barrett will be on hand for photos and a book signing.

Jupiter, a former Standardbred pacer, and Barrett are featured in the recent publication Standardbred Old Friends, which documents the stories of distinguished Standardbreds during the twilight of their lives.

Jupiter previously raced at Saratoga Harness as Jo Jo Geronimo before a leg injury forced him into early racing retirement. He has been serving on the Saratoga Police Department’s Mounted Division since 2003 with Officer Barrett when they both joined the Saratoga Springs Police Department as rookies.

“Looking back, this is the best decision I’ve ever made,” said Barrett. “Having a horse like Jupiter out there with you is like having five extra officers. I’ve come to develop a deep relationship with him and don’t see this partnership ending anytime soon.”

Jupiter and Barrett will be joined at the Gerrity Memorial by renowned equine photographer Barbara Livingston, a Saratoga resident who photographed Jupiter in Standardbred Old Friends, and Ellen Harvey, who authored the book. At 19, Jupiter is the youngest horse to be included in the book.

“Featuring Jupiter and Officer Barrett on our property truly helps enhance our signature race of the year,” said Rita Cox, Senior Vice President of Marketing and External Affairs at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. “We’re very excited for our guests to get the chance to meet these Saratoga icons during this year’s Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace.”

The first post time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. that evening. Guests in attendance will receive a coupon for a free commemorative 2014 Gerrity Night t-shirt with the purchase of a $2 race program, while supplies last.

The Memorial was created in 2009 as a pacing series honoring the memory of Joe Gerrity Jr. and his many contributions. A highly respected leader, inspiration and icon for Saratoga Raceway and the horse racing industry, he was a breeder of horses in Loudonville, a licensed harness driver and became Chairman of the Board of Saratoga Harness Racing, Inc. (now Saratoga Casino and Raceway) on April 1, 1987. Gerrity later oversaw the expansion of the facility and the installation of video gaming machines, funding the project in part himself. He also served as a Director for the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State for 20 years, and also acted as Treasurer for much of that time. Gerrity passed away in October 2005.