If you’re a fan of horse racing, you’re probably also a fan of Gary Contessa. Almost everyone knows Gary, or at least has had the joy of meeting him. And every person who’s spent time with the affable Trainer observes that he’s fun, funny, brilliant and has a good heart.
You may even have wondered if he’s a good dancer, or how he’d do as an Auctioneer and Master of Ceremonies.
Well! You can get the answers to these questions on Thursday night, July 30th at a wonderful gala in Saratoga Springs, New York. For several years, Gary and his wonderful wife, Jennifer, have volunteered their emotions, time and energies to CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services at the organization’s annual soiree, An Unbridled Affair.
Gary and Jennifer are Honorary Chairs this year, again–and they invite you to join them as CAPTAIN celebrates the careers and achievements of Dogwood Stable (Cot and Anne Campbell) and the King of Saratoga, Angel Cordero, Jr. The big doin’s commence at 6:30PM at the Holiday Inn on Broadway in Saratoga on July 30th: silent and live auction; gourmet victuals; stellar company (some of horse racing’s brightest and best will be there)–and dancing the night away with Gary, Jennifer, Angel, Cot, Anne. A very special painting will be unveiled that evening, and you may be the lucky person whose bid brings the art of Saratoga’s own, the gifted Ken Wilson, into your home.
Oh, and did I tell you? Not only is Gary a genuine Tony Manero on the dance floor–he’s a brilliant auctioneer! Gary will commandeer the gavel and mic again for the live auction, a tradition to which everyone looks, year-to-year. He laughs, he cajoles friends who bid, he makes bidding higher and higher seem like a game. Lest you think that he depends on the generous donations of others for the auction, he also usually donates things like use of his box at Saratoga Race Course, barn tours and Contessa Racing jackets. The Unbridled Affair always is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, but with Gary at the mic and on the dance floor with his beautiful Jennifer–and you–it promises to be a night to remember.
Now, here’s the thing. As I write this, the gala is 17 days away–but you still can get in on the fun, if you act NOW. Call Robin, Sue or Jessica at CAPTAIN, and reserve your tickets, as soon as you can. Like, first-thing tomorrow morning. (Or go online tonight: see URL below)
This offer won’t last long, as they say on QVC. The CAPTAIN soiree is Saratoga’s most-fun gala, every year, and you’ll hate yourself if you miss it. (And if you miss it, don’t come crying to me.) You have nothing to lose and everything to gain: more fun than you’ve had in a dog’s age. The opportunity to mingle with legendary horse racing professionals. To dine luxuriously, laugh loudly, bid on amazing silent and live auction items–then to dance your glutes off with Gary and Jennifer Contessa, and other rock stars of racing.
All these great people and donated items come together to raise funds for the profoundly-worthy programs of CAPTAIN, which works with disenfranchised youths and their families, day-in and day-out, 24/7/365 in Saratoga County. And you can be part of the good Karma.
(Bonus! The legally-allowed percentage of your ticket cost can be taken off of your taxes next year, because of course, CAPTAIN is a non-profit organization.)
Here’s the URL for An Unbridled Affair. Call one of the babes named above, at (518) 371-1185, or go through the URL. However you do it–do it. You really will regret it if you don’t grab this chance to dance, dine and rub elbows and hearts with Gary Contessa, Jennifer Contessa and some of your favorite people in racing. You want a Trainer’s or Jockey’s autograph? Wouldn’t you rather dance with them?
http://www.captaincares.org/index.php/news-and-events/gala-unbridled-affair
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