Annual Keeneland-Maker’s Mark bottle signing went a little different this year
With Keeneland’s spring meet disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, one of the April rituals that went by the wayside was the annual Maker’s Mark bottle signing.
Fans typically line up overnight, first at liquor stores to get a bottle, and then at the track to get the bottle signed by University of Kentucky sports figures or racing industry luminaries.
Now that the meet is coming back, albeit without spectators, July 8-12, the track and the distillery have teamed up to offer a special bottle.
And it comes pre-signed.
This year’s commemorative Maker’s Mark bottle has a label signed in advance by Julien Leparoux, Robby Albarado, John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Mike Smith, the five leading active stakes-winning riders at Keeneland. It’s also signed by Rob Samuels of Maker’s Mark and Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason.
Proceeds from the bottle will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, a non-profit that provides financial assistance to jockeys who have sustained debilitating on-track injuries.
“I’ve been involved with several Keeneland and Maker’s Mark bottles that raise funds for worthy causes,” said Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith in a news release. “But this one really is where my heart is. Autographing a bottle is such a simple thing to do, and it’s great knowing that I’m playing a small role in helping other riders whose careers were cut short.”
The bottle is striking: It’s black glass with black wax on top and a Keeneland green wax seal. The label features an illustration of a jockey in red and white silks on a racehorse; it’s the work of Louisville artist Jeaneen Barnhart.
The bottle goes on sale July 3 in limited quantities around Kentucky. There are only about 7,000 this year.
Apparently the plan to have the labels re-signed was conceived before COVID-19 hit to accommodate jockeys’ schedules. So the labels were signed and then everything was paused until the racetrack got the go-ahead for the summer meet.
Since 1997, Keeneland and Maker’s Mark have raised millions for a variety of racing and academic organizations through commemorative bottle releases. Events the last five years benefiting UK student athletes, with bottles featuring the five UK men’s basketball championships, drew thousands for signings with coaches and former players.
“We are always gratified by the enthusiastic public response to the Maker’s Mark commemorative bottle, and we are so pleased sales this year will benefit the critical work of the PDJF,” Thomason said in a statement. “We thank our longstanding partner, Maker’s Mark, and Julien, Robby, John, Javier and Mike for their strong support.”
The jockeys’ fund charity is currently providing financial assistance to about 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Founded in 2006, the fund has disbursed over $11 million dollars to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or traumatic brain injuries.
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 1:51 PM.
