As the village prepares to host the Floral Park Autumn Festival, organizers said all proceeds from games, rides and T-shirt sales will support area families affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Specifically, the monies raised will support as many as 12 families affected in the Floral Park-Bellerose School District, according to Festival Chairman Robert Sullivan, owner of Jameson's Bar and Grill in Floral Park.

Slated for Saturday, Oct 20, the festival, celebrating the Breeder's Cup, is a joint effort between the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) that will honor the upcoming Breeder's Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Oct. 27 at nearby Belmont Park. The street fair will run from 3-7 p.m. and will feature food, live music and family entertainment along Tulip Avenue and Verbena and Floral Boulevards.

"We wanted to put together an event that would not only help foster community spirit but that would also benefit area families who desperately need our support," Festival Co-Chair Terry Gamble, Floral Park Chamber of Commerce president, said.

More than 50 vendors will line the streets, offering everything from deli food and pizza to jewelry, clothing, sporting goods, floral baskets and more. Moreover, five bands, including Risky Business, Dave Ball and the Smoking Guns, the Wes Houston Band, John LaMere and the sounds of Tom Wagner, a 16-18 piece band, will provide lively entertainment near Village Hall.

"We're delighted to partner with our neighbors to celebrate thoroughbred racing's premier event," Terry Meyocks, president and CEO of the NYRA, said. "The Floral Park Festival helps generate the kind of grassroots excitement that is such an integral part of the Belmont Park community."

Mayor Ann Corbett reminds residents that Tulip Avenue, between Plainfield and Atlantic Avenues, will be closed between 3-7 p.m. There will be no parking on Tulip Avenue beginning at 1 p.m. Village Police Commissioner Mike Reid is working closely with the chamber committee regarding traffic flow and parking restrictions on Tulip Avenue and surrounding streets. In the event of rain, the autumn festival will take place Sunday, Oct. 21 from 3-7 p.m.

Jockey Pledges Cut of Earnings to Local Charities

Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey has pledged five percent of his earnings from the Breeder's Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Belmont Park Saturday, Oct. 27 to two local charities established to help victims' families of the Sept. 11 attack.

Bailey will donate five percent of his earnings to be divided between Floral Park's Community Spirit Fund and Garden City's Family Relief Fund. "This horrible tragedy has affected all Americans and certainly the communities of Garden City and Floral Park," Bailey said. "I am thankful to those who acted so heroically during this tragic period. And it is my privilege to be in a situation where I may be of help to local families that suffered terrible losses."

Bailey's gift could be substantial. With his mounts already cashing in for more than $20 million this year, Bailey has already broken the single-season earnings record, which he set back in 1996 ($19,465,376).

Bailey is also one of the top riders in Breeders' Cup history. He is tied for first with fellow Hall of Famer Pat Day with 11 winners and ranks third in money won. Of the top four money-winning Breeders' Cup jockeys - Day ($20 412, 760); Chris McCarron ($15,542,320); Bailey ($13,008,200); and Gary Stevens ($12,916,880) - Bailey has had the fewest mounts. His overall Breeders' Cup record is 11-5-6-3 from 67 mounts.

Bailey is particularly strong in the premier Breeders' Cup race, the Breeders' Cup Classic, which he has won with Black Tie Affair (1991); Arcangues (1993); Concern (1994); and Cigar (1995). He does not need a favorite either; Arcangues won at better than 133-1.

This year, Bailey's mount in the $4 million, one-and-one-quarter-mile Breeders' Cup Classic is Aptitude, winner of the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Oct. 6. Bailey will also ride two others for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel in the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships - top 3-year-old filly Flute in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff at nine furlongs and Squirtle Squirt in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Sprint at six furlongs.

Additionally, Bailey is expected to ride Hap in the $2 million, one-and-one-half-mile Breeders' Cup Turf; Affirmed Success in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Mile; Lailani in the $1 million one-and-one-quarter-mile Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf; and Shesastonecoldfox in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies at a mile and a sixteenth.

Bailey and agent Ron Anderson are awaiting word on whether Bailey will ride Siphonic in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile at a mile and a sixteenth.