O'Malley Declares Saturday 'Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show Day'

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It is a look into the lives of racehorses after the track. Governor Martin O'Malley declared Saturday 'Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show Day" in the state of Maryland.

Tim Williams has more on the event to showcase their talents.

It's not the party at the infield you may be expecting, and horses at Pimlico Saturday are more about showcasing than racing. It's the inaugural "Totally Thoroughbred Horse Show," designed to feature the talents of thoroughbreds after their competitive days are done.

"Nowadays in the public eye, people think that after thoroughbreds finish racing that there's no place for them to go. So this is proof by all our entries that thoroughbreds can do other things. They can show, fox hunt, barrel race--they can do anything," said Maryland Jockey Club Director of Racing Georganne Hale.

More than 500 horses are entered and competing for $4,000 in prizes. Horses like Wild About Harry from Olney--no greener pastures for him. He spends his post-race days as a show jumper.

"I feel very strongly about supporting the race industry so that these horses can get re-homed and that's why I'm here today," said Wild About Harry's owner, Hillary Hytken. "The horses are wonderful and they have the best brains and they are so kind. And they deserve to have a career after they're done racing rather than end up at the meat market."

Entry money will go to horse rescue charities--a purse that should continue to grow because, with a little luck, the event is expected to grow each year.

For more on the event and a link to Maryland horse racing, click here.