Tony remarks that “these are animals that are all racehorses that have been retired versus being destroyed. Friends of Ferdinand is a great organization that will take these horses, rehabilitate them, fix their injuries and get them trained and adopt them to new homes. Their racing careers may have ended, but their lives don’t have to.”

This award is the continuation of a program called Tony’s Ex-Racers, which began in 2008 with the retirement of 10 thoroughbreds from Indiana’s racetracks. With the 2010 grant, a total of 20 thoroughbred racehorses, whose futures are otherwise uncertain, are provided safe-haven, training and new homes through Friends of Ferdinand. Kalista Tyann, Woodman’s Star, Sunny Thoughts and Friendly Neighbor are the most recent horses to arrive at their foster homes located in the Indianapolis area, bringing the number of Tony’s horses to his favorite number – 14. Six additional thoroughbreds will be identified in the coming months.

Joni Thompson, Executive Director of the Tony Stewart Foundation comments, “Friends of Ferdinand is an all-volunteer run organization that puts the horses first. We are pleased to support their work and do our part to ‘Accelerate Change’ and encourage the humane and responsible retirement of racehorses in Indiana.”

Friends of Ferdinand Inc is an Indianapolis based non-profit organization that works alongside Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs to provide options for horses whose racing careers are coming to an end. Horses accepted into Friends of Ferdinand’s adoption program are provided with veterinary care to identify and attend to any injuries or health issues. The horses are then, evaluated for temperament and ability and provided professional re-training for second careers. Through FFI’s programs, more than 250 horses have been transitioned from the track into new homes and careers – as show or pleasure horses, dressage competitors and beloved companions.

According to Sara Busbice, President of Friends of Ferdinand “The volunteers and horses of Friends of Ferdinand thank Tony Stewart for his continued support and generosity. It truly validates our efforts and has enabled us to provide caring and permanent homes for some of thoroughbred racing’s deserving retirees.”

Friends of Ferdinand is named in memory of the magnificent Ferdinand, the 1986 Kentucky Derby Champion, Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and 1987 Horse of the Year who earned more than $4 million during his career. In 1989 he was retired from racing and exported to Japan to stand at stud. Tragically, a few years later, Ferdinand was slaughtered for human consumption. Friends of Ferdinand provides opportunities for rehabilitation and transitional training for horses who are no longer competitive on the racetrack. More information about Friends of Ferdinand may be found at http://www.friendsofferdinand.org.

The mission of the Tony Stewart Foundation is to raise and donate funds to help care for critically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities and to support other charitable organizations in the protection of various animal species. More information about the Tony Stewart Foundation may be found at http://www.tonystewartfoundation.org.

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A series of satellite tournaments will precede the November 28 Main event. Entry fee for the Main event is $500 – or a spot at the table can be won in the satellite tournaments. Complete information about the tournament, dates of the satellite events, how to enter, details about a pre-tourney VIP reception hosted by Tony at Hollywood Casino, and more can be found at www.SmokesPoker.com. The casino features a 41 table, World Poker Tour branded poker room, and the largest live card room in the Midwest. Located on the lower deck of the casino, the room includes nine high-limit tables, 22 flat screen televisions, leather high-back chairs with lumbar support for every player and numerous additional features designed for player comfort. Promotional partners for the inaugural Smoke’s Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament include Hollywood Casino, Coca-Cola and Emmis Communications’ Indianapolis stations HANK-FM, WIBC-FM, and 1070 The Fan. In conjunction with the poker event, HANK-FM’s morning show duo, Wank & O’Brien, is hosting an “Are You a Super Fan?” video competition to identify and reward two of Tony’s biggest fans. Grand prize will be entry into November 28 poker tournament festivities at the Hollywood Casino and the opportunity to meet Tony. Complete details about this contest can be found at Smokes Poker. About the Tony Stewart Foundation… The Tony Stewart Foundation was founded in 2003. Since its inception, it has awarded over $4 million in grants to not-for-profit organizations throughout the US serving critically ill or injured children; injured, abused or at risk animals, and injured motorsports drivers and their families. For more information about the foundation, log on at www.TonyStewartFoundation.org.

Anderson, Indiana – While two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart prepares himself for transition to the next phase of his illustrious career – ownership of his own Sprint Cup team in 2009 – the foundation that bears his name is funding the transition of a whole other group of racers from the track into second careers of their own.

The Tony Stewart Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to Indianapolis-based Friends of Ferdinand, Inc. (FFI), a not-for-profit volunteer organization that works with owners and trainers at the state’s two horse tracks to identify and obtain thoroughbreds that are nearing the end of their racing careers. FFI evaluates and retrains the horses, and finds new, forever homes with devoted, caring owners. Its motto is “Retired from Racing, Not from Life.”

To date, more than 200 horses have been transitioned from the track into new careers – as show horses, dressage competitors, pleasure and trail riders, equine therapeutic program participants, pasture mates, and beloved companions.

Six to seven new thoroughbreds, the first horses to be christened “Tony’s Ex-Racers,” will be brought into the FFI program on Monday (Nov 17), during the annual end-of-season paddock sale at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson. Representatives of both Friends of Ferdinand and the Tony Stewart Foundation will be on hand to take a look at available horses and select those destined to become “Tony’s Ex-Racers.”

“We are thrilled beyond words that the Tony Stewart Foundation has selected our program to receive its support,” said Friends of Ferdinand president Sara Busbice. “A grant this size is significant and enables us not only to continue but to expand the work we do with our Indiana thoroughbreds. Especially now, with the economy in such turmoil, support of this magnitude is simply incredible.

“We sincerely thank Tony Stewart, foundation executive director Joni Thompson, and everyone involved in giving the nod to this grant,” Busbice continued. “It means the world to those of us involved with Friends of Ferdinand, but, more importantly, it literally means the world to the horses.”

A total of 10 horses will be brought into the program as “Tony’s Ex-Racers” – those obtained from the Hoosier Park paddock sale and two or three others already in line to come off the track and into FFI’s care.

The organization is named in memory of the magnificent Ferdinand, the 1986 Kentucky Derby Champion, Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and 1987 Horse of the Year who earned more than $4 million during his career. In 1989 he was retired from racing and exported to Japan to stand at stud. Impossibly, a few years later, Ferdinand was slaughtered for human consumption.

Friends of Ferdinand’s work and accomplishments have garnered support and respect from all segments of Indiana’s racing industry, along with national recognition and funding.

“We do what we do for three reasons,” Busbice said. “These ex-racers are at risk for abuse, neglect and, perhaps, slaughter. Casting the net and catching at risk horses before they end up in less than ideal situations is not only cost-effective but also spares the animals from suffering.”

Busbice praised Hoosier Park for joining the ranks of several other US horse tracks and adopting a zero tolerance policy toward slaughter. According to a statement issued by Jeffrey Smith, Hoosier Park’s general manager of racing, trainers or owners stabling at Hoosier Park who directly or indirectly participate in the transport of a horse from the track to a slaughter facility, or to an auction to sell horses for slaughter, will be prohibited from having stalls at the track.

“We commend Hoosier Park for being a leader in this movement,” Busbice said, “and thank them for their long-standing support of Friends of Ferdinand.”

Friends of Ferdinand, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) organization. To find out more about FFI, including information about thoroughbred adoption, horses currently available, volunteer opportunities, and monetary support, log on at www.friendsofferdinand.org.