Famed horse-racing venue Santa Anita Park will host “On Track to Beat Cancer” in support of City of Hope on April 17, the park’s closing day. The inaugural event aims to boost research and treatment for women’s cancers.

Santa Anita Park is hosting a unique fundraising event for City of Hope. (Photo courtesy of Santa Anita Park)

For a minimum $10 donation, racing fans can accompany actress and model Bo Derek, a commissioner on the California Horse Racing Board, as she strolls the historic quarter-mile Santa Anita stretch.

“We are thrilled to announce this partnership and to invite the public to join the racing industry, City of Hope and Santa Anita Park for an inspirational walk down the stretch following the last race here on closing day,” said Allen Gutterman, vice president of marketing for Santa Anita Park. “It is especially gratifying to support City of Hope and to ensure more and more patients will benefit from their groundbreaking research.”

Following the last race on closing day, celebrities, cancer survivors and representatives from the racing industry will join Derek and fans who donated to City of Hope on the stroll, which passes through Santa Anita Park’s winner’s circle.

Organizers are encouraging race attendees to wear purple to show their support for patients with breast, ovarian and other women’s cancers and City of Hope’s efforts to find a cure for the diseases. Fans also can form teams, take photos and create signs and banners dedicated to loved ones who have battled the disease.

“We’re grateful for the tremendous support from Santa Anita Park and its community of horse-racing fans and supporters,” said Steve Martin, associate vice president of marketing at City of Hope. “We hope this special day marks the beginning of many ways to commemorate the historic closing day at Santa Anita Park while supporting research that will lead us to a cure for women’s cancers.”