Painting by Penny Chenery to be Auctioned at Belmont Bash

Penny Chenery, whose Meadow Stable raced Secretariat and Riva Ridge, has donated one of her original watercolors to be auctioned at the Belmont Bash.

The Belmont Bash will be held at the Garden City Hotel on Long Island on June 3, two days before the Belmont Stakes, and will benefit the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Backstretch Employee Services Team (B.E.S.T.).

"I'm having so much fun with my new interest painting watercolors that I am delighted if my humble offering can bring in funds for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the B.E.S.T.," said Mrs. Chenery.

"When you think of all that Penny Chenery has done for racing, it is remarkable that she has found yet another way to support the sport," said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. "We are very honored that she has donated one of her original works of art."

Bowen described the 11-by-15-inch, signed watercolor as, "A still life of a colorful pitcher, with an apple and a lemon, and the swath of bright blue as part of the background definitely reminds one of the Meadow Stable colors worn by Secretariat."

The saga of Chenery and the 1973 Triple Crown winner will be the focus of the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures movie Secretariat, set for release on Oct. 8. The film stars Diane Lane as Chenery.

The Belmont Bash will feature cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, and musical entertainment by the Alex Donner Orchestra. Tickets are $300 per person.

Additional information about the Belmont Bash is available by contacting Nancy Kelly at (212) 521-5305 or nkelly@jockeyclub.com, or Joanne Adams at (718) 659-2262 or jadams@nyrainc.com.